Journal

Choosing the Right Timber for Your Lifestyle

Because your table should be made for the life you live.

A dining table is so much more than a surface to eat from. It’s where life unfolds — where kids spread out their homework, where Sunday papers sprawl, where birthday candles are blown out and glasses of wine of wine lubricate conversations late into the evening. At Yaffle & Bosk, we believe your table should be crafted not just for how it looks, but for how it’s going to live with you.

That starts with choosing the right timber. We work with two exceptional English hardwoods — oak and ash — sourced responsibly from local woodlands. Both are beautiful, durable, and sustainable. But each brings a different mood and personality, and the choice often comes down to how you use your table and the life you live around it.

For the Busy Family Home

If your table is going to weather the full force of family life — school projects, sticky hands, endless mugs of tea, and the occasional dinner-party spill — English Oak might be your perfect match. Its density and strength make it incredibly resilient, meaning it stands up well to knocks and scratches. Over time, the little marks it does collect only add to its character, becoming part of the story of your home.

Pair it with our Natural Hardwax Oil finish for a warm, honeyed tone and a protective layer that shrugs off everyday mishaps. It’s a classic, lived-in look that just gets better with age.

For Calm, Contemporary Spaces

If your home leans towards a more minimalist aesthetic — clean lines, open spaces, soft natural light — English Ash offers a different kind of beauty. Its pale tones and elegant, flowing grain bring an effortless lightness to interiors, perfect for Scandinavian-inspired spaces or rooms where you want a sense of calm.

Ash’s natural flexibility makes it a great choice for centrally heated homes, resisting cracks as humidity changes through the seasons. Pair it with our Invisible Finish for that barely-there look: all the strength you need, but a surface that feels untouched and beautifully natural.

For the Entertainer

If your dining table is where friends gather, wine flows, and meals stretch long into the night, you’ll want a timber and finish combination that balances beauty and practicality. Both oak and ash are excellent choices here — it’s about the mood you want to set.

Oak brings a rich, heritage feel, perfect for intimate, atmospheric dining. Ash feels lighter and fresher, lending itself to bright, lively spaces. Either way, combine your timber choice with any one of our hardwearing finishes to protect against the spills and splashes that come with a good time.

Rooted in Sustainability

No matter which timber you choose, your table begins life in a responsibly managed English woodland. Sourcing locally isn’t just about provenance; it’s about protecting biodiversity, reducing transport emissions, and supporting traditional forestry.

When you sit down at your Yaffle & Bosk table, you’re sharing more than a meal — you’re sharing a connection to the landscapes that shaped it. It’s why we do what we do: taking nature and crafting it into something refined for your home.

Next Steps

Once you’ve found the timber that feels right, the next decision is how to finish your table. From soft limewash tones to invisible protection, our wood finishes guide walks you through the options and helps you choose the perfect complement for your chosen timber.

Because at Yaffle & Bosk, we don’t just make tables — we make the stage for your family’s stories. Tables designed to be lived around, loved, and passed on.

Visit our workshop in North Devon, browse our shop or contact us to talk about a custom piece that tells your story.

More Inspiration From Our Journal

English Oak or English Ash? Choosing the Perfect Timber

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Choosing the Perfect Finish for Your Dining Table

Beauty meets durability — because real life happens around the table. Your dining table isn’t just a piece of furniture. It’s where life happens. It’s where homework gets...

Yaffle & Bosk: Stewards of Provenance

At Yaffle & Bosk, we believe that furniture should tell a story. Not just of design and craftsmanship, but of origin, responsibility, and enduring quality. Based in the heart...

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