Wenge is an African tree, which is classed as noble, expensive breeds. Its wood of the same name is used for decoration of elite apartments. The core of the tree trunk is characterized by high density and a special, dark shade. The subcore is less wear-resistant and has a rich range of colors: from light gray to the tone of molten gold. Because of such a wide gradation, under the color of wenge sometimes mean completely different shades of wood. Although more often called the classical tone of the "chocolate" core. The material has an original texture of a natural pattern: pronounced black "veins" on a lighter background.
Possible shades
To imitate the wenge texture, only the natural pattern matters. Characteristic only for him veins have "torn" edges. They remotely resemble patterns on the skin of an exotic African reptile or "divorce" on the water surface in a strong current, breaking against obstacles. Texture can be displayed on different backgrounds:
- Bitter chocolate. A saturated color in combination with a black pattern, depending on the play of light, looks different.
- Traditional brown. The shade is slightly lighter than chocolate, does not have this depth, but quickly loses its "freshness" in combination with an unusual texture.
- Beige. Light tone, which can have wenge wood, located closer to the bark. It shimmers in shades (from creamy to light walnut) and contrasts with textured wood ornaments. The surface will differ in saturation, so it is recommended to use it in accents.
- Purple. A rare shade, which is attributed to exotic options. The depth of tone allows you to embody the most original interior designs.
- Wine and wine. Noble classical tone. It is considered a polished line of styles of the past centuries, which for the sake of luxury sometimes gave up convenience.
- Ash-gray. Rare but fashionable shade. Used in hi-tech, minimalism and even provence.
Also there are nut, honey, cream and sandy-caramel shades. For each room should be selected a separate color, corresponding to its unique atmosphere.
Wenge and other color palette
Color compatibility of classical wenge with other shades does not cause difficulties for either professional designers or beginners. The thing is, the shade is almost neutral. It is as close to black as possible, and therefore plays on almost any background. However, it is necessary to combine wenge with partners in style. When creating an interior composition, usually select several colors that are traditionally used in the chosen direction. In classical styles, these will be shades of brown, white, olive, beige, creamy, burgundy. In experimental variants (ethnics, fusion) they can be combined with green, red, blue, yellow. Bright colors can be argued on the color activity with Wenge, so the composition risks to get too "alive". In such a situation, it is better not to use more than two dominant shades.
When combined with another tree, perhaps the best combination is wenge-bleached oak. Both types of wood belong to noble breeds and have an original texture. The freshness of the milky shade of bleached oak contrasts against the background of the dark wenge.
Which rooms are suitable for
Wenge is attributed to flowers universals. In strict styles, it will organically enter any type of room. In the facades of the kitchen furniture, the color will perfectly match the classic curtains in the floor and the luxurious marble top in the dining area. In the hallway wenge is used for decorating doors, slopes and sometimes for decorating flooring. The bedroom is the abode of rest, therefore for it more compromise shades of the African wood are chosen. In the living room, the color is used in furnishing, wall and floor finishing. The conciseness of tone is suitable for a serious hall, where guests gather mainly for intellectual conversations or reading books. In the bathroom wenge is rarely used, as in typical apartments these rooms can not boast of large spaces. A darker shade of them will diminish even more, but the light colors of African wood (ashy, beige) often decorate the surface of furniture, which advantageously shades the whiteness of sanitary ware.
On the advice of designers, wenge color should not be used in decorating children's rooms. Too serious situation, which he creates, does not correspond to the bright and colorful world of the child.
Wenge for the execution of cabinet and built-in furniture
The color of a noble tree originally from Africa is actively used in the manufacture of built-in and cabinet furniture. It is used in cabinets, cabinets, shelves, shelves, sofas, beds, tables and coffee tables. Optimum option is considered, when furniture of color wenge is playing on a lighter background. The combination of the contrast concept will emphasize the exotic luxury of surfaces. However, it has such a solution and its shortcomings. Unfortunately, on a dark background, water stains, drops and fingerprints are clearly visible. Systematic cleaning will eradicate the problem. If the furniture has not only the color of this wood, but is made of it, then the owners will have to take care of the surface protection. The most terrible test for her will be the sun, paradoxically it sounds. The inner layers, without protection of the bark, quickly burn out and lose color saturation. Over time, the facade will look as if it were tried to bloom, but unsuccessfully.
Furniture ensembles
The furniture in color Wenge has an original ability - the ability to bring in the interior discipline, brevity, strict geometry. Especially popular are kitchen sets made in this color. The severity of the palette is diluted with bright aprons, curtains, textiles or small decor. To visually "pull out" the room with squat ceilings, the bottom of the headset is performed in a dark wenge, and the top is made in light coffee-milk shades. By the way, in the same situation, you can use a win-win option: bleached oak and African tree. As mentioned above, this color of respectability is considered a dominant. This rule applies even to the lightest of its shades. For this reason, in large-sized headsets that extend up to the ceiling, the wenge is necessarily diluted with other colors and surfaces. Otherwise, it will crush, exacerbating the problem of massive furniture and creating a gloomy, caricature-gothic interior. As additional surfaces, glass (simple and etched), decaracryl, lacomate and, in rare cases, plastic (as it does not harmonize with the luxurious woody tone) are used. Perhaps the most popular type of furniture, which is performed in the color of African wood, are storage systems of any type. Cabinets (coupes and swings), wardrobes, shelves, open and closed shelves with exotic coating will be an ornament of any room and style. They are in harmony with both classical furniture (wenge-bleached oak, beech), and with modern options (glass, metal with steel shine, mirrors).
Wenge color accent as accent
The classical Wenge color (the core of the tree) is dark, so it is not suitable for background performance in small spaces. It is used as accents, which are easily balanced with lighter tones. For example, in small kitchens, a dark wenge in chairs and a bar counter will harmonize with the pastel colors of the facades of the headset. Often, the shades of African wood are chosen for the decoration of tabletops or extracts. These zones favorably emphasize the severity of the furniture kit, but at the same time are slightly off the very "thick" of culinary battles. In the living rooms in the Wenge are often decorated only with coffee tables. They can echo in tone with shades of puffs, chairs or chandelier plafonds. In the country houses luxuriously look stairs to the second floor, balusters which are decorated in this noble color. In working rooms, the use of desks in shades of wenge is actual. In addition, they are decorated with stylish organizers in tone.
See also: The combination of colors in the interior of the bedroom 
Finishing of Wenge surfaces in modern interiors
In the decoration of rooms, wenge is used with extreme caution. The reason for this was his color "aggression" in relation to other background tones and the inability to apply within the confines of tight spaces. Typically, the shade is used in structural elements or in accent areas.
Coatings
The color of the African tree does not completely cover the walls. No matter how large the room is, this decision will cast doubt on the taste of the owners. Wenge is used in finishing only one accent wall or part of it. Solid wood surface is rarely reveted because of high cost, but MDF manufacturers have already learned to imitate the texture of noble wood. Laminate also faithfully repeats the natural wenge pattern and is suitable for flooring in spacious rooms. Organically it looks in combination with rugs made by hand, within the ethnic style.
Constructive elements
Ceiling beams, moldings, supports, inserts and even decorative columns (hollow inside) is only a small list of constructive elements in which a noble color is used. On a light background, any of these details looks spectacular and stylish. A special coloring of the room, decorated "under the old days" will be given by the ceiling beams of dark color, combined with white plaster. This composition is suitable for chalets, country or provence. But in any other style, the constructive elements of the Wenge color are adapted to the special circumstances.
Conclusion
Wood wenge is resistant to fungi and mold, and wear resistance is not inferior to oak. Its texture is so dense and fibrous that the boards are not only difficult to process, but also varnished. For this reason, the surface is traditionally subjected to a waxing procedure. A couple of decades ago, wenge wood and its shades were available only for elite apartments. In our time, the price of African rarity has not decreased. But the manufacturers of imitations have learned to recreate its texture so qualitatively that it is difficult to distinguish the "fake" with the naked eye from the original. The color of the wenge is also noble, like the wood of this tree. Not everyone dares to choose its main in the interior of their homes. Just because all the design will have to be adjusted to the shade, and not vice versa.
