Lacewood

Whether you perform woodwork as a profession or you’re simply looking for new materials to decorate your home, Lacewood is becoming a popular choice among amateur and expert woodworkers alike. It is best known for its ruddy hue and unique scaly pattern in the grain.

When it comes to using Lacewood, a little goes a long way. Its colors range from pale yellows and tans to darker reds. It also ages to a darker brown over time. However, use too much of this wood and it loses some of its magic. It becomes overwhelming to look at, and picking out its delicate pattern creates eyestrain.

In order to get the most out of its unique pattern and color, it’s best to use Lacewood as an accent, preferably against a wood that is fairly uniform in its grain, such as cherry or walnut. A common decorative technique for flooring or countertops is to display Lacewood tiles with alternating tiles of smoother, darker wood. This not only creates a pleasing contrast in pattern, but it also causes its paler hue to shine out against the darker browns or reds.

Additionally, this species of wood is known for taking to oil based finishes and stains very well indeed. Its pale color provides a great contrast for stains in particular, creating a truly vibrant, colorful effect. Lacewood is also known for being fairly easy to work with—it doesn’t interfere with cutting tools or glue, making it easy to include in most projects. Be sure to wear a mask, however, as the sawdust can cause lung irritation.

Due to its tendency to be used for accents, Lacewood is a popular material for creating luxury items such as ink pens, musical instruments, bowls, knife hilts, bookends, and more. It’s not uncommon to see them combined with other striking species of wood, such as mahogany, bamboo, curly maple, bloodwood, and others.

When it comes to working with Lacewood, it’s easy to see why it’s commonly used in small amounts. While it’s not unusual to see this wood used in bigger projects, such as furniture or cabinets, its susceptibility toward insect attack makes it a poor choice for large jobs such as decks, patios, or solid flooring. While this can be treated with the right finish, you’re better off picking heartier exotic woods such as cedar or redwood. In cases of walls, flooring, and countertops, a technique called veneering is used, where thin, flat sections of the wood are glued over another surface.

Its delicate nature also makes it prone to honeycombing, splintering, and checking, which means this wood is typically air dried under careful conditions. If you must use a kiln, do so carefully, under low or medium heat, checking often for signs of damage.

Whether you’re creating something small and decorative or are simply looking for an exotic accent to include among your favorite rooms, Lacewood is an ideal choice. Learn more today about how this amazing substance can add life and texture to your everyday décor.