Wood is a naturally beautiful and versatile material reaching much popularity in the sixties with height intensifying vertical slats cladding stunning structures, but through the seventies and eighties wood paneling took a turn for the worst covering ninety percent of rec rooms in America and sullying the name of this fine finisher. Now modern designers have been reclaiming this adaptable home ingredient for many a purpose. We are seeing feature walls in every tone and texture, clean stained woods as accent tables in the dining and living rooms, and even reclaimed woods for bathroom counters, floating shelves in modern libraries, and entertainment units in trendy contemporary multipurpose family rooms. Fashion designers (like Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, and Manolo Blahnik) have also taken the reigns creating arms for glasses, belt buckles, and using cork and hardwoods for the fabrication of soles and heels for high end shoes!
When looking at the concepts of interior design pertaining to wood the options are limitless. If you are interested in small upgrades to your personal spaces like bedrooms and baths simple wooden adornments can add wonderful natural soft charm. Look for modern lamp shades surrounding pendant lights to create focal points in your grander rooms and sconces with interesting curvature to add depth and height in more petite rooms.
Marc Canut, acclaimed Spanish designer, has been working magic all around the world with his fresh and airy take on modern design. Sometimes bathing entire rooms floor to ceiling in various wood grains adding intrigue with small white lacquer accessories and minimalist metal details, leaving room for strong graphics in wall hangings utilizing splashes of colour in a very refined manner. Inversely adding but one wooden feature to a stark white room, layering subtle variance in surface materials from marble to painted woods, powder finished metals and fine man made polymers in perfect balance throw the eye to the natural grains and slight differences in the organic woods used.
When choosing woods for your personal delights make sure to take into account the sizes and shapes of your raw space. Certain grains or tones add depth to a shallow room. Lining a feature wall vertically with elegant pines and beech woods in softer stains can add height and grandeur to kitchens and living spaces with ease.
Cherry and oak woods that show knots and imperfections are exceptional to incorporate into desks, end tables, bar tables, and night stands finished with contemporary lighting options or a classically styled mirror to ground these parts where they lie and to tie them into the room as a whole. Remember as well a delicate glass top table flanked by lush sofas can simply be elevated by a stunning formed wooden armchair as the prime focus to attract the eye.
Don’t settle. Look for high quality manufacturers and suppliers and find the pieces that speak to you. Nowadays you can find applications of some pretty unique colours and finishes. Mango, iron, purple heart, cocobolo, zebra, and bamboo woods are available in many different ways to use as structural, design, and focal pieces throughout your home. Use your favourite wood accents to create allure, add elegance, and communicate your personal style through this captivating element.
