Black Walnut Coasters

Coasters turned from black walnut, in a range of shapes and sizes — round, square, grooved, plain, with or without a handle. Walnut is the dark close-grained timber that furniture makers use, and it looks considerably more expensive than a coaster has any right to.

The grooved versions are the ones to choose for cold drinks: the channel catches condensation running down a glass instead of letting it pool underneath and onto the table. Plain ones are for hot cups, where there's nothing to catch.

Why you'll love it

• Black walnut — dark, close-grained, ages well.
• Grooved or plain — a channel for cold drinks, flat for hot.
• Several sizes — from 6cm up to 10cm.
• Round or square — including a handled version.

Details

• Material: black walnut
• Shapes: round, square, outer-square inner-round, handled
• Finishes: grooved, plane, varnished
• Sizes: 6cm, 8.8cm, 9cm, 9.2cm, 10cm

Wipe rather than wash, and oil occasionally. A wooden coaster left sitting under a wet glass overnight will mark, which rather defeats the point.