News Turned Wood Is the Old-School Home Trend Making a Comeback This ancient technique turns basic furnishings into works of art. Learn the history behind the interior design trend and shop our favorite turned wood picks. By Jessica Bennett Jessica Bennett Instagram Jessica Bennett is an editor, writer, and former digital assistant home editor at BHG. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process and Eugenia Santiesteban Soto Eugenia Santiesteban Soto Instagram Eugenia Santiesteban Soto has worked as a freelance style editor for more than eight years. She has more than 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, working for titles like Elle Decor magazine and Domino magazine.Eugenia started off as an associate editor at Elle Decor magazine, then moved to senior market editor at Domino magazine, and style director at Veranda magazine later in her career. In 2013, Eugenia transitioned to freelancing full-time, mainly as a style editor and consultant. Her content covers home trends, styling ideas, and product roundups. She's currently based in New York City. Eugenia holds a bachelor's degree from Williams College. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Published on March 3, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Shaping wood into sculptural curves and grooves dates back centuries, but this decorative detailing is back in a big way. Often sporting candy colors and unexpected finishes, today's turned wood furniture and accessories put a modern spin on this ancient technique. The term refers to wood that was historically carved and shaped using a lathe. Similar to a potter's wheel, this tool continuously rotates the piece of wood, allowing it to be cut into sculptural forms using hand-held tools. The earliest wood lathes were used in ancient Egypt and Rome, and the technique later spread throughout Europe and across the globe. Today, woodturning is typically done completely by machine instead of by hand, but the results are similarly impressive. Joyelle West Turned wood often appears on furniture legs and accessories like candleholders, but perhaps the most famous example is the Jenny Lind bed. Featuring a curved headboard, footboard, and turned wood spindles, this spool bed became associated with the Swedish opera singer and stylemaker in the late 19th century. Lind's sold-out performances during her 1850s American tour caused such a stir that towns, soups, and her preferred bed style were all named after her. If you're lucky, you might be able to snag a vintage Jenny Lind bed at flea markets or antique shops, but modern reproductions also abound. Here are some ways to try the turned wood trend at home (including a gorgeous Jenny Lind bed!). 01 of 04 Turned Wood Table Courtesy of West Elm Stacked shapes add geometric appeal to this turned wood side table. Made of sustainably sourced mango wood, it measures 19 inches tall. Use it as a plant stand, entryway pedestal, or tubside perch. Buy It: Chase Side Table ($50, West Elm) 02 of 04 Turned Table Lamp Jason Donnelly Light up any room with this turned table lamp. The shiny teal base, which recreates the look of turned wood in plastic, measures 13.5 inches tall. When picking a lampshade (sold separately), look for one that is wider than the base and about a third of the total height, including bulb and harp. Buy It: Better Homes and Gardens Turned Accent Lamp Base ($17, Walmart) 03 of 04 Turned Wood Candleholder Courtesy of Etsy These elegant candleholders feature a sleek turned shape and a shiny painted finish. Sold individually, they come in a rainbow of colors and measure about 6 inches in height. You can also get them in a larger 10-inch size. Buy It: Medium Wooden Candle Holder ($32, Etsy) 04 of 04 Turned Wood Cake Stand Courtesy of Amazon Elevate your favorite baked goods with the elegant combination of wood and marble. The sturdy base on this cake stand is crafted from turned mango wood. The marble stand measures just under 12 inches wide. Buy It: IMAX Lissa Marble Cake Stand ($65, Amazon) Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit