With the arrival of summer holidays, schools across the country are getting busy – not with pupils, but with refurbishment projects. And when science labs are stripped out and refitted and classrooms go quiet, a wave of robust, characterful Iroko timber comes up for salvage.
At Retrouvius, this time of year marks a rare and exciting opportunity to salvage high quality Iroko, a material that’s becoming increasingly hard to source. Traditionally used in school science labs and classrooms, this robust hardwood has stood up to decades of wear, chemical spills and teenage experiments. We salvage it whenever we can, to give it second life in beautiful domestic interiors.
Why Iroko?
Because it’s tough.
Because it’s beautiful.
Because it’s packed with patina and history.
For decades, Iroko was the wood of choice in school science labs — and for good reason. It’s water-resistant and robust, having resisted decades and hours and hours of school kids elbows on workbenches! It doesn’t splinter easily, doesn’t warp and unlike many softwoods, salvaged iroko won’t move. It took everything pupils threw at it (literally) and came out looking better for it.
Which is why we salvage this stunning wood whenever we can. With all its grace and depth, our Design Studio loves working with Iroko in domestic settings, precisely because it finishes so beautifully.
From Lab Bench to Kitchen Counter
All that durability? Perfect for kitchens.
That warm golden tone? Gorgeous in bathrooms, boot rooms, and pantries.
The lived-in wear and tear? Interior gold.
Reclaimed Iroko is one of our favourites for domestic interiors — especially when you want something that can take a beating and look good doing it. It planes down like a dream, wears well over time, and carries a story in every scratch and mark.
Why We Love It:
Tough as teak! Fun fact: it’s often called “African teak” because of its dense, durable, and hard to damage qualities.
Low-maintenance luxury: It doesn’t just look good — it stays looking good.
Eco-friendly: No new trees felled. Just brilliant old timber getting a second shot.
Design-flexible: Rustic, polished, raw, or refined — it plays well in all interiors.
Get In While It’s Here
Iroko like this doesn’t stick around. We’re taking enquiries by appointment only, and stock is limited. If you’ve been thinking about a kitchen project or a joinery commission with serious character — now’s the time!
