A German furniture maker developed a salmon skin laminate a couple years ago, winning awards for the unusual product - and the process for producing it. We checked in to see if how the line was doing, and if products have been made with it.

A new sewn, mouldable would veneer material, Chester, is being developed by Berlin designers Oya-Meryem Yanik & Anastasiya Koshcheeva. Applications include panel surfaces and furniture.

Plywood bookcase kits from Columbia Forest Products are now available exclusively at the HomeDepot.com website. A 5-shelf model, newly added. is priced at $399; a 3-shelf at $269. Maple, cherry, poplar and red oak versions are offered.