Dramatically different and environmentally friendly Lyptus sets this showcase home apart. No, it's not mahogany. Not cherry, either. It's Lyptus, the most beautiful wood you've never heard of.

When this custom builder wanted something unique to set his "parade" spec home apart, he turned to Showplace for the lovely creation seen here.

Lyptus represents a dramatic new first: A truly renewable hardwood species. Grown on sustainably-managed plantations in South America, Lyptus is a naturally-occurring hybrid of eucalyptus. It is harvested in as little as fifteen years (not 50 or 70 years) and does not deplete old-growth forests. Lyptus strikes an important balance between human demands and environmental concerns.

Lyptus is naturally- variable hardwood, displaying a wide range of tones and grain patterns. This lovely character is further enhanced with hand-wiped glazing and physical distressing. The end result is the appearance of a treasured heirloom.

In the kitchen an open L-shaped layout is centered on a versatile freestanding island. Quarter-round fluted posts give an elegant outer boundary to the island, and show off the glazing to good advantage. The his-and-hers Lyptus vanity in the master bath really displays the personality of Lyptus. Notice the naturally-variable tones, and the many types of grain patterns, ranging from subtle to dramatic. Also take note of the random denting and softened corners that Showplace hand distressing contributes.