Fashion designer Jenni Kaye transformed her living room into a chic retreat with lots of wood. / Roger Davies, ArchitecturalDigest.com
After more years of decorating with glass, metal and stone than anyone could shake a stick at (pun intended), designers are barking up a new tree and it’s made of…wood. This forest favorite is a natural for adding texture, playing well with others and bringing the outdoors in as designer Jenni Kaye shows in her living room above.
Wood is also one of the most versatile–and transformative–materials around. “The cornerstone of natural inspiration, wood works wonders on floors, furniture and one-off pieces,” says Holly Becker, founder of Decor8 and co-author of “Decorate: 1,000 Professional Design Ideas for Every Room in your Home.”
Yes, the buzz is big. Wood is good and every home needs more of it. Here’s why.
With a warm, inviting kitchen like this, who cares whether Tom and Gisele can even cook? We just want to hang out there. / Roger Davies, ArchitecturalDigest.com
Although New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady didn’t make it to the 2014 Super Bowl, he and supermodel wife Gisele Bundchen teamed up with wood for a style touchdown. Reclaimed ceiling beams and floorboards, mixed with eco-friendly alder cabinetry and a beefy oak island, give their kitchen more snap than Tom’s wrist.
Perhaps Julianna Marguille draw upon her ER experience (as in the hit TV series with George Clooney) to stylishly pump new life into her home office. / Roger Davies, ArchitecturalDigest.com
To give the New York City home of Julianna Marguiles (Emmy-winning star of “The Good Wife”) a modern-meets-Asian vibe, designer Vicente Wolf mixed in ample amounts of wood for the warm, relaxed feel she also sought. In the home office, Wolf designed this stunning walnut-and-steel partner’s desk. Its luxe burnished finish is echoed in the wall behind it.
Palisade is a head-turner with its mix of shapely silhouettes and intricately patterned wood veneers.
For those of us who shy away from glass and metal dining groups because of their upkeep (so many fingerprints!) and cold sterile feel, there’s the Palisade 60 inch round dining table. I love the modern spin it gives highly figured walnut and sycamore maple patterned veneers, transforming mealtime into fine dining with…intent to linger.
Dream big in Bukhara.
The Bukhara panel bed has a flair for the dramatic with its tall walnut veneer headboard that’s accented with silver faux croc inlay borders.
Time to show a little leg.
The Benson upholstered chair shows that sometimes just a touch of wood makes all the difference. See how its exposed carved wood legs add an airy feel by creating visual separation from the rug beneath.
Every room needs a pattern pleaser like Chevron.
Sheathed in a sophisticated menswear pattern fashioned from birch, pine and oak veneers, Melange’s Chevron console strikes a stylish pose and wakes up neutral surroundings.
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Aw, it’s gorgeous! I think I may have a go at one of those beauties! And I’m with you on the kindle thing… I was definitely in the ‘real book’ camp until I was bought a kindle as a surprise. Now I absolutely love it!
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