Hardworking and often undercover, plywood is a building block for modern interiors. But lately, it’s made a surprising move into the spotlight as designers use exposed plywood not just as a structural material, but a decorative choice in anything from custom furniture to clean-lined joinery and characterful paneling.
"While plywood was once considered a more utilitarian material with visible imperfections, its quality has improved dramatically in recent years," says Glenda Flaim, managing principal at San Francisco’s Butler Armsden Architects, noting advances in manufacturing techniques. "High-quality plywood can now be found in a range of finishes from raw, matte, and unfinished to lacquered or veneered."
