The charring process leaves behind a two- or three-millimeter layer of char on the surface that shields underlying wood from water and water vapor, keeping it from eroding or absorbing moisture and swelling, warping, or rotting. Here’s how the shou sugi ban treatment enhances wood: What are the benefits of a burnt wood finish? While DIYers can create the finish simply by wielding a blowtorch, pre-made shou sugi ban-treated woodworks abound, from coffee tables (available on Amazon) to decorative signs (also available on Amazon).Ī post shared by Elizabeth & Scott Mathieson on at 2:53pm PDT It is prized not only for the protective qualities it confers on wood, but also the striking burnt wood finish it renders, which is versatile enough for both rustic and modern homes. In recent years, shou sugi ban has been used on other softwood species in addition cedar for interior and exterior applications, both on wooden boards used in the construction of large surfaces, such as siding, decks, and wall paneling, and on smaller pre-built woodworks, such as tables, chairs, and dressers. Japanese cedar, called sugi, was the traditional wood species used because it was thought to produce the most pronounced charred effect.

Though examples of shou sugi ban were seen as early as 700 A.D., the technique generally dates back to 18th-century Japan, where it was primarily applied to wooden boards used in exterior siding to weatherproof them and thereby prolong their life. The process fortifies the wood (more on how below) and provides a matte black finish with elegant silver streaks, resembling obsidian rock. Literally translating to “burnt cedar board” in English, shou sugi ban traditionally involves scorching wooden boards with a torch or controlled fire, cooling the wood, softening the char with a wire brush, removing dust, and, if desired, topping the wood with natural oil. Shou sugi ban is the term commonly used in the West for yakisugi, an ancient Japanese technique for preserving wood with fire. Things starting to look too busy? Go with white as a neutralizer: Paint, fabrics-any white accents will balance out the browns.Photo: What is shou sugi ban, and how is it used? Mixing a dark wood (like ebony) with a light wood (like lime) will always look chic and intentional.” If you’re starting with a wood floor and are adding new wood tones (a table, chairs, etc.), consider using a rug to act as a buffer. “Since wood tones are in the 'neutral' category, it is relatively easy to mix them and achieve a visually pleasing result,' says Tulsa designer Emily Davis. Now you just need to be sure you’re doing it right.

“Mixing wood tones makes a room more inviting and effortless, rather than calculated and expected,' says Hannon Douglas designer Hannon Kirk Doody, 'I would not shy away from putting together, for instance, a painted oak table and a Louis XVI walnut commode.' Doody also recommends dodging blandness by incorporating other materials (glass, metals, stone) along with the wood.īecause most people don’t buy all their furniture at the same time and place, you’ve probably already been mixing wood furniture tones without knowing you were being stylish. Matchy-matchy wood furniture sets had their moment.

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