Materials at Recreation House

At Recreation House, material is never incidental.
It is the starting point of design - guiding form, function, and feeling.

Our furniture is shaped by material intelligence and craft, made thoughtfully and produced to order. We work primarily with reclaimed and responsibly sourced timber, celebrating the natural character, longevity, and honesty of each material we use.

Wood

Reclaimed Teak

Reclaimed teak carries a depth that new material cannot replicate.
It is timber shaped by time, use, and history, repurposed with intention and respect.

Aged Strength & Proven Durability

Teak is one of the most durable timbers used in furniture.
When salvaged, its strength has already been tested - often over decades.

  • Naturally dense and stable
  • High resistance to warping, cracking, and decay
  • Ideal for long-lasting, everyday furniture

Exceptional Natural Oils

Teak is rich in natural oils that protect it from moisture, insects, and wear.
With age, these oils deepen and settle into the grain, enhancing resilience.

Depth of Character & Patina

Years of exposure create surfaces that feel layered and expressive.

Salvaged teak carries:

  • Deepened tones
  • Softened edges
  • Subtle marks of use
  • Natural, matte richness

Environmental Responsibility

Repurposing teak significantly reduces environmental impact.

  • Prevents further logging of slow-growing teak forests
  • Extends the life cycle of existing material

Stability Through Age

Older teak has completed most of its natural movement and therefore, less prone to expansion or contraction and stable in changing climates.

Honest Craft & Material Intelligence

Working with reclaimed teak demands attentiveness. Each board is carefully selected, cleaned and re-milled. Then studied for grain, stress, and history.

Pine Wood

Pine is often underestimated, yet it holds a quiet strength and emotional warmth that makes it deeply compelling for handcrafted furniture.

Character & Aesthetic

Pine carries a soft, glowing appearance with gentle grain patterns and organic knots.
Its surface feels approachable and expressive, less formal than hardwoods, yet rich in character.

Pine furniture brings:

  • Warmth and brightness to interiors
  • A relaxed, lived-in presence
  • Ideal for modern, minimal, and relaxed living spaces.

Craft & Workability

Pine responds beautifully to hand tools and traditional joinery, making it a favourite among artisans.

It is especially suited for:

  • Visible joinery such as dovetails
  • Sculpted or shaped forms
  • Chamfers, soft edges, and fine detailing

Strength & Practicality

While lighter than hardwoods, pine remains structurally sound and stable for everyday use. Its lighter weight makes furniture easy to move and reconfigure.

Finish & Versatility

Pine absorbs finishes exceptionally well, allowing for:

  • Soft matte surfaces
  • Expressive colour washes
  • Warm neutrals such as greige
  • Honeyed or natural tones

This adaptability makes pine ideal for custom finishes and design experimentation.

Sustainability & Aging

Pine is one of the fastest-growing softwoods used in furniture, making it:

  • Renewable
  • Sustainable
  • Often responsibly cultivated

Over time, pine develops a gentle patina, deepening in tone and gaining warmth, giving each piece a lived-in authenticity.

Steam Beech Wood

Steam beech is a classic furniture wood - celebrated for its strength, refinement, and ability to form elegant curves.

Strength & Stability

Naturally dense and durable, steam beech offers excellent structural integrity.
It resists warping and maintains its shape over time, making it ideal for chairs, stools, benches, and tables designed for daily use.

Steam Bending & Curved Forms

This is steam beech’s defining quality.
Through steaming, the wood fibres soften and bend without cracking, allowing for sculptural, lightweight forms.

Commonly used for:

  • Bentwood and Thonet-style chairs
  • Fluid backrests and arches
  • Rounded silhouettes
  • Delicate yet strong frames

The result is furniture that feels light, architectural, and quietly expressive.

Grain & Colour

Steam beech has a fine, even grain with minimal knots.
Steaming creates a uniform, warm tone - ranging from pale cream to soft pink-beige.

This refined appearance makes it ideal for:

  • Clean, modern designs
  • Minimalist forms
  • Polished finishes that highlight craftsmanship

Craft & Finish

Beech cuts, turns, shapes, and sands exceptionally well, allowing artisans to achieve:

  • Crisp joinery
  • Smooth bends
  • Precise detailing
  • High-quality sanding and polishing

It also absorbs stains and paints evenly, making it versatile for:

  • Natural finishes
  • Colour washes
  • PU-painted surfaces

Sustainability & Heritage

European beech regenerates quickly and is responsibly managed.
The steaming process uses only heat and moisture - no chemicals - making it environmentally conscious.

Steam beech carries a timeless European café heritage while remaining effortlessly modern.

A Final Note

Every Recreation House piece is made to order, allowing materials, finishes, and details to be thoughtfully chosen.
We believe furniture should feel personal, grounded, and lasting - crafted with intention, shaped by material, and designed for everyday life.