- Solid Wood - 

There is something deeply satisfying about a piece of furniture made from solid wood. The weight of it, the warmth of the grain, the way it ages. But behind that simple pleasure lies a world of choices: species, grades, construction methods, finishes, and care.

At EMKO we believe that understanding the nuances of timber is essential and all of these choices shape everything from how a piece looks on day one to how it holds up decades later.

Not all solid wood is equal, and that is a good thing

When you buy a piece of furniture made from solid wood, the wood is not chosen randomly. Each board is selected according to a specific grading system to ensure the best possible finish for the product.

Grade A is the highest visual classification: near-perfect surfaces, minimal knots, limited colour variation, and a straight, uniform grain. It is the standard specification for high-quality furniture and is best suited to clear finishes like oil or lacquer where the surface of the raw wood remains fully visible.

Grade B permits greater natural variation: larger knots, broader colour range, and a less uniform grain pattern. In Germany, this grade of oak is referred to as Wild Oak. It is not a compromise: it is a preference. 

For anyone drawn to a more natural, characterful aesthetic, this grade is often the more honest and more bold choice.

What matter is that, structurally, grades A and B are identical, the difference is purely visual. The grade tells you what a board look like, but the species determines ho it behaves.

Hardwood, softwood and why it matters

Wood species are divided into two main groups: hardwood and softwood. These terms refer to botanical classification and density rather than hardness in the literal sense, even though, in actual practice, hardwood tend to be significantly more durable over the long term.

Oak and ash are among the finest hardwoods: dense, robust and exceptionally durable. At EMKO, these two woods form the core of our solid wood range. 

We aim not only to highlight the quality of Lithuanian craftsmanship but also the quality of the materials growing in our region. That is why choosing ash timber seemed the natural choice. Selected for its strength and its light, airy colour, solid ash is the signature wood of the Naïve collection.

Solid oak, used notably in the Citizen collection, brings depth to the range and adds a warm.

For items that need to be lightweight yet sturdy, birch is the perfect wood! It is used in the frames of the Foldin Shelving Unit and the Step Up Shoe Rack. Scraps of solid birch wood are also used to make the I Piccolini Wooden Animal Figures, to minimise waste as much as possible.

Softwoods, such as pine and spruce, are lighter and more affordable, but do not age in the same way as hardwood. What they lack in durability, they make up for in character: our Jot Spot, made from solid spruce, is a good example: the natural knots and dark patches running through the grain give desk a unique character that is truly hard to replicate.

The making of a solid wood piece

Once the species is chosen, the next decision is how the board itself is made, and that choice shapes everything: the price, the look, and how the piece behaves over the years.

At EMKO we work with long lamella boards: timber cut into long strips and glued lengthwise, giving a surface with an unbroken, continuous grain. It is what you see on the Naïve collection in natural ash.

It is the more premium method, and the more sensitive one: these boards react more to changes in humidity, which is why placement and care matter. But it is also the construction that best lets the wood be itself. When the shades across the lamellas are consistent, we finish the surface with oil and let the grain speak. When variation is too great, paint is the honest answer. Which is also how we avoid waste and offer a wider range of colours across our collections.

An alternative also used in other companies is the Finger joint technique: smaller pieces pressed together, more stable and more affordable, but with a result that is visually less refined.

How to live with solid wood

How the wood is treated at the end of the manufacturing process is very important. At EMKO, we use an oil finish on most of our solid wood pieces, and for good reason. It works with the wood rather than over it, feeding the grain, preserving the texture, keeping the surface honest. You can renew it yourself at home a couple of times a year: a light sand, a wipe, and a sponge with furniture oil. Just remember to soak the cloth in water straight after, seal it in a bag and throw it outside. Oily rags left to dry are a fire risk. Lacquered and painted surfaces are simpler to care for: a slightly damp cloth, nothing more. However if you damage lacquered surface, the only way to fix it is with the services of a professional carpenter.

Looking after solid wood furniture also involves day-to-day care,  keeping it away from radiators and direct sunlight. Wipe up spills as they happen, avoid harsh detergents. And accept, with some pleasure, that the wood will yellow gently over time. Two pieces bought months apart will never be quite the same shade.

Each piece develops its own character over time, shaped by its environment, the temperature, the light and the daily use it sees. This is not a flaw, it is the nature of the material, and the mark of furniture built to last.

A table that has hosted a thousand meals, a chair worn smooth at the arms, a desk marked faintly by years of work  these are not signs of wear. They are a record of a life lived. But this is how the beauty of timber comes to the fore, shaped by the passage of time and memories.

EMKO team