Plywood is usually used to make furniture with large continuous panels, but Berlin furniture maker COLB | Handmade tiled furniture (@colb.studio) took a different approach. She cut the plywood into dozens of individual tiles, arranged them like ceramic, and finished each surface until the finished bench looked like standard sheet material.
Shared on Instagram, the project shows how a simple change – breaking the plywood into smaller pieces instead of leaving it whole – creates texture, depth and a completely different finished piece.
Each panel was cut into individual tiles
The project begins with sheets of plywood cut into rectangles and squares of various sizes. Long narrow strips, wide planks and large panels are laid out before assembly, establishing the tiled pattern that will define the finished bench.
Instead of wrapping the furniture with one continuous sheet, each visible surface is made from separate pieces. The small gaps between them create grout-like lines that become part of the overall design.
The bench took shape before any finishes were applied
Each plywood tile is glued on one piece at a time until the top and sides are completely covered. The repeating pattern gives the bench texture even before sanding or finishing begins.
Creating the first form allows each tile joint to continue around the edge, making the pattern look intentional from every viewing angle.
The fire brought the grain of the wood to the surface
Once assembled, the entire bench is sanded smooth before a blowtorch is passed over each surface. The heat darkens the soft parts of the grain while leaving the solid wood lighter, creating a dramatic contrast without carving or etching.
Rather than adding texture with paint alone, the process makes the natural wood patterns more pronounced.
Gray wash softens burnt wood
After sanding the burnished surface smooth, a light gray wash is rolled over the entire piece of plywood one at a time. A fresh coating instantly mutes dark burn marks while allowing the wood grain underneath to remain visible.
Instead of masking the torch pattern, the translucent finish creates another layer of depth. The grain still shows through the wash, giving each wood tile the soft, stone-like look that defines the finished bench.
Cleaning back each tile replaced finish
Before the coating is fully cured, the sections are cleaned back by hand. Some areas retain more of the white pigment while others reveal more of the burnt grain underneath, giving each tile its own look.
No two pieces are finished exactly alike, making the surface feel handcrafted rather than repetitive.
A protective coat added depth
A clear finish seals the surface and enhances the color contrast between the pale wash and dark grain. The gloss also emphasizes the slight differences between neighboring tiles.
At this point, plywood no longer looks like a construction material. The layered finish gives it a richer look.
Tile lines remained part of the design
Finishing details preserve rather than fill or hide narrow joints. Those thin shadow lines reinforce the illusion of individually installed tiles across the bench.
Black borders frame each piece and make the geometric layout more noticeable.
The finished bench looks more like ceramic than plywood
Placed against a plain wall with minimal decoration, the finished bench shows off the effect created by dozens of individual wooden tiles. Repeated patterns, open grain and a soft white finish combine to create a surface that looks surprisingly similar to handmade ceramic from afar.
Rather than hiding plywood under veneer or paint, the project celebrates the material itself, proving that a different way of cutting and finishing wood can completely change how it is perceived.
Image credits: COLB | Handmade tiled furniture (@colb.studio) via Instagram.
