Story – Materials
Material selection is
a careful and considered
process. No rush.
Hardwood is our main material – black walnut, maple, and white oak. At the start of each project, we pull fresh boards from the rack, lay them out for inspection and pick the ones best suited for each piece of furniture —a systematic process of examining rough-milled wood for colour, grain, and form. In addition to wood, we use Fenix NTM as a surface alternative, natural and renewable textiles, such as New Zealand lamb’s wool & matte leather for our chairs, and small amounts of metal for custom pulls and footrests.
Wood
In the world of wood, lumber grading is a complex process whereby timber is rated based on quality, strength, and natural characteristics. Our Montreal made handcrafted furniture is built using premium-grade North American hardwood – American Black walnut, American white oak and Quebec maple are our preferred wood species. These slow-growing deciduous trees are amazingly dense, durable, and resilient. The beauty of wood is that no two pieces are alike - variations are normal within each board.
American Black Walnut
A classic and timeless hardwood known for its strength, straight grain, and colour – walnut is characterized by beautiful dark chocolate hues and contrasting lighter tones—one of the few hardwoods that lighten with age.
We also offer Walnut Select. To achieve a more uniform and consistent look, careful selection of the darker, heartwood is required.
American White Oak
Long favored by furniture makers, white oak is a slow growing hardwood known for its strength, open textured grain, and beautiful straw color which deepens with time.
Maple
A widely recognized deciduous hardwood found throughout North America. We work exclusively with hard maple from Quebec - a durable, creamy, light-coloured wood with smooth, subtle grain variations
Finishes
Finishing is the final phase in furniture making – the essential last step that enhances the natural grain, highlights the colour, and protects the wood from everyday use. Depending on the wood species, our handmade furniture is finished using traditional hand applied oils or clear coat water-based lacquer. With proper care and maintenance, our furniture's quality and natural beauty can be maintained for years
Maple / Water-based finish
A premium, low VOC, water-based polyurethane finish that maintains the natural look and feel of maple while protecting against everyday use.
White Oak / Natural oil
A premium low VOC vegetable-based oil finish that maintains the natural look of white oak while protecting against everyday use.
White Oak / Water-based finish
A premium, low VOC, water-based polyurethane finish that maintains the natural look of white oak while protecting against everyday use.
White Oak / Bleached - Water-based finish
A lightly bleached, low VOC, water-based polyurethane finish that maintains the natural look of white oak while protecting against everyday use.
Walnut / Traditional oil
A traditional non-toxic hand-applied oil finish that enhances walnut’s natural colours while protecting against everyday use.
Walnut / Water-based finish
A premium, low VOC, water-based polyurethane finish that maintains the natural look of walnut while protecting against everyday use.
Walnut Select / Traditional oil
A traditional non-toxic, hand-applied oil finish that enhances walnut’s natural colours while protecting against everyday use.
Sustainability
Designed and handcrafted in Montreal, our hardwood furniture is simple and understated. A collection of purposefully designed solid wood furniture that endures and adapts with you over time – for us, this is the cornerstone of sustainability.
As a local Montreal-based furniture producer, we constantly seek ways to recycle and reuse our biproducts. Over the years, we have developed unique, eco-friendly partnerships with local woodworking workshops and organizations whereby we donate our offcuts for use in smaller projects and presentations. In 2022, we created The Offcuts Collection, a series of small-batch furniture designed and built in collaboration with Raphaël Dinh – the multifunctional pieces are made in limited series using walnut, white oak, and maple offcuts we have on hand
Textiles
We work with leading textile makers who design and create some of the most beautiful and environmentally sensitive products. Our core textiles include a range of fabrics made from premium New Zealand lambswool as well as matte, non-corrected leathers. Fabrics may be cleaned using an upholstery fabric cleaner or dry cleaned if necessary. Leather is a durable material that ages beautifully over time. For cleaning, we recommend regular dusting and spot cleaning with lukewarm water and mild soap.
Blazer - Napier
100% Pure New Wool
Blazer - Silverdale
100% Pure New Wool
Blazer - Surrey Cuzie
100% Pure New Wool
Blazer - Dartmouth
100% Pure New Wool
Main Line Flax - Camden
75% Pure New Wool / 25% Flax
Main Line Flax - Archway
75% Pure New Wool / 25% Flax
Main Line Flax - Temple
75% Pure New Wool / 25% Flax
Main Line Flax - Upminster
75% Pure New Wool / 25% Flax
Classic Santiago - Onyx
Leather
Premium Caress - Desert
Leather
Fenix NTM
An innovative interior surface material made from paper and acrylic resin. Available in a range of colours, Fenix is exceptionally matte, soft to the touch, resists fingerprints and is highly resistant to scratches, abrasions, and household cleaners.
Beige - Arizona
Fenix 0748
Verde - Comodoro
Fenix 0750
Grigio - Aragona
Fenix 0793
Nero
Fenix 0720
Metals
The metal components in our collections include solid brass-turned footrests, powder-coated steel plates for our bookcases and laser-cut steel handles for our case goods. All elements are designed in-house and produced locally by long-standing Montreal suppliers.
Footrest
Shelving Seperators
Handles
Story
The basics are important to us. A simple white t-shirt, a classic pair of jeans, a good pair of boots. The same goes for our home. A timeless table, a classic chair, a solid bed and a beautiful light. A slow gradual process of layering. Room by room, one piece at a time. Our furniture is simple and understated.
Workshop
Our furniture is built in limited series using a combination of traditional and modern woodworking techniques and machinery. The workshop is the heart of our business, hand selecting our materials, building one piece at a time and ensuring the best possible quality.
Sustainability
Designed and handcrafted in Montreal, our hardwood furniture is simple and understated. A collection of purposefully designed solid wood furniture that endures and adapts with you over time – for us, this is the cornerstone of sustainability.
Press
A selection of recent press, editorials, spotlights and announcements. For any press enquiries, please get in touch via info@kastella.ca