At Fairytale Wood, we don’t just work with wood — we collaborate with it. Each species brings its own voice, texture, and rhythm to the turning process. Our pieces aren’t rustic or rough-hewn; they are thoughtfully designed objects for modern, mindful homes — pieces that invite touch, tell quiet stories, and hold space in your daily rituals.
Here’s a closer look at the six refined timbers we love to work with: elm, ash, oak, European walnut, apple, and pear — and how their aesthetic and physical qualities shape both form and feeling.
Elm: Organic Movement, Subtle Boldness
Elm is wonderfully unpredictable — and that’s its charm. Its interlocked grain can feel almost sculptural, creating movement within the form without overwhelming it. Its tonal range, from warm biscuit to soft copper, gives a natural richness that pairs beautifully with minimalist interiors.
Physically, elm is sturdy and pliable but surprisingly light — ideal for bowls and vessels that call for grace in form and substance. In the right hands, elm’s beauty becomes understated elegance. Think of it as nature’s abstract art: spontaneous, yet refined.
Ash: Pure Lines, Natural Light
Ash brings clarity. Its pale blonde tone and straight grain give it a quietly radiant presence — clean, contemporary, and full of light. Ash is strong and elastic, which means it holds shape beautifully and lends itself well to clean silhouettes and finely detailed turning.
We love using ash for everyday objects that need both resilience and poise — smooth platters, or lidded containers. It suits homes that favour natural materials and calm, intentional design.
Oak: Quiet Heritage, Modern Solidity
Oak carries cultural weight — a wood long associated with tradition — but in our hands, it becomes something else: modern, sculptural, and elemental. Its open grain and soft golden tones have a quiet gravitas, grounding a space without demanding attention. Often oak will develop small cracks as it dries, and we will enhance and control these with epoxy filling.
It’s a dense, robust wood — ideal for larger forms that benefit from weight and presence. A turned oak piece in a minimalist kitchen or serene workspace brings a beautiful contrast: earthy, enduring, but refined.
European Walnut: The Design Statement
European walnut is effortlessly elegant. With its deep brown and purplish undertones, it reads like velvet in wood form — smooth, dark, and confident. Its complex grain patterns give visual interest without being loud, which makes it perfect for statement pieces that still feel timeless.
Walnut turns like a dream, allowing for precision in both form and finish. We often use it for sculptural bowls, centrepieces, or tactile accessories that anchor a room with warmth and elegance.
Apple: Wild and Wicked
Applewood is one of the most untamed, wild and free timbers, and also one of the most rewarding to master. Its fine, gnarly grain and unpredictable tones make it ideal for intimate objects or bold display pieces. It is hard and unyielding the hand, and truly makes a statement when finished.
Apple is all about flash — No nuance. We love it for small, precise forms and often compliment holes and cracks with kintsugi style gold filling.
Pear: The Minimalist’s Muse
Pearwood has a reputation among craftspeople for being impeccably behaved — and it shows. It’s smooth, even, and almost creamy to work with. Its colour ranges from pale pink to warm ochre, aging into a rich amber that glows under oil.
Pear turns with extraordinary precision, making it ideal for pieces that demand finesse. In finished form, it has a velvety surface and a quiet elegance. Pear is for the minimalist with an eye for detail — for the kind of person who notices grain flow and edge balance.
Choosing Wood Like You’d Choose Art
At Fairytale Wood, the wood you choose is never just about looks — it’s about feel, intent, and how you live with the object. Whether you gravitate to the contemporary cool of ash, the sculptural elegance of walnut, or the soft restraint of pear, your choice reflects your space and your rhythm.
Our work is rooted in quality, but also in curiosity — letting each piece of timber tell us how it wants to be shaped. And when it’s finished, we hope it brings not only beauty but a sense of story to your day.