Timber Care & Maintenance

At Studio BASE, we work exclusively with FSC-certified North American hardwoods—Black Walnut, Hard Maple, Ashwood and Black Cherry—chosen for their strength, character and longevity.

Black Walnut is prized for its rich, chocolate-brown heartwood and straight, fine grain, deepening in tone as it ages. It brings a refined, grounded warmth to a space and remains one of the most sought-after cabinet timbers in North America.

Hard Maple is a dense, close-grained timber valued for its pale, creamy tone and subtle, understated figure. Exceptionally durable, it's a favourite for pieces that need to stand up to daily use without losing their clean, contemporary finish.

Ashwood offers a striking, open grain and light, honey-toned colour, with a natural elasticity that makes it especially resistant to shock and wear. It brings a relaxed, textural warmth to a room.

Black Cherry matures beautifully, deepening from a soft pink-brown to a warm reddish hue with exposure to light over time. Smooth and fine-grained, it's known for the way it ages—no two pieces settle into quite the same colour. 

Every piece is sourced from FSC-certified forests, supporting responsible, well-managed forestry from harvest through to your home.

Timber Care & Maintenance

Timber is a living material—it will continue to characterise over time, responding to its environment and the rhythm of everyday use. Fine lines, small splits or cracks may appear, particularly at joins, as the wood naturally expands and contracts with changing conditions. These aren't flaws. They're part of what makes each piece singular.

Every Studio BASE piece is hand-joined using traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery and arrives fully assembled—no installation required. We work exclusively with FSC-certified North American Black Walnut, Hard Maple, Ashwood and Black Cherry. Variations in colour, grain and mineral streaking are inherent to these species, not imperfections—they're what give each piece its individual character.

Environment

• Keep indoor humidity between 45–65%, using a humidifier or dehumidifier where needed.
• Keep your piece away from fireplaces, radiators and underfloor heating, and out of direct or reflected sunlight—extremes of heat, dryness or humidity are the most common causes of warping, cracking or swelling.
• Prolonged UV exposure will also gradually shift the timber's tone, so consider window coverings or repositioning over time.

Everyday Use

• Dust regularly with a soft, dry cloth. Wipe spills immediately with a slightly damp cloth and dry straight away—standing liquid can penetrate and stain the surface.
• Avoid contact with oils, butter and grease, and clean any spills immediately to prevent staining.
• Avoid alcohol, chemical cleaners or polishes, which can discolour or permanently damage the finish.
• Use coasters, mats or felt pads under hot items, unglazed ceramics or anything with an irregular base.

Ongoing Care

• To keep the timber's natural richness intact, apply an eco-friendly wood wax oil roughly every 12 months. This protects the surface and deepens its tone over time.