Wood for Good Modern Design
Minimalist doesn't have to mean cold. Add life, warmth and beauty to your modern interiors with the help of wood
Katya Popova graduated in 2008 with a degree in Marketing Management complemented by her Studio Art and Communications minors. Her graphic design career started in a Fortune 200 Oil & Gas company while working on the organization's e-commerce architecture and design.
Since then, she has expanded her online presence through her personal website where she chronicles her ongoing design projects, remodeling undertakings, and interior design concepts.
Katya Popova graduated in 2008 with a degree in Marketing Management complemented... More »
Natural woods have been a hot topic in interior design over the past few years because they work wonders when combined with the clean and modern lines of minimalist design.
When contrasted against shiny metal, stone surfaces and crisp white details, wood is fully capable of taking center stage in any home. Here are some creative ideas for incorporating this splendid natural material in your space.
When contrasted against shiny metal, stone surfaces and crisp white details, wood is fully capable of taking center stage in any home. Here are some creative ideas for incorporating this splendid natural material in your space.
1. Opening statement. Natural wood is a fantastic way to show off your home from the very beginning: the hallway. In this simple and elegant hall, the wood perfectly balances the crisp walls and rough texture of the stone.
| 2. The accent wall. If you look closely at this interior, you will notice that the designer utilized various finishes and sizes of scrap wood. The result is a mesmerizing installation that keeps your sense of sight engaged. See the rest of this home |
3. Hello, headboard. No need for fancy upholstered headboards here. The wood makes an understated impression without taking any space away from the room. This solution is perfect if you are trying to create a cozy space and you don't have a lot of square footage.
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| 4. Not your '70s ceiling. Wood on the ceiling is an old idea. However, it has taken a life of its own in the past few years. To make wood work above, you need to make sure you have either enough ceiling height or enough square footage. Otherwise, it may make your room feel cramped and claustrophobic. Here, the designers are following an old yet effective Frank Lloyd Wright rule: in a large space like this, keep your ceilings low to force the eye to look outside. |
On the other hand, this home boasts beautiful tall ceilings with loads of natural light for a very different effect from the previous photo. To give a wooden ceiling an updated look, you may want to add modern lighting and clean, shiny floors.
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by Jane Kim Design
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| 5. The old-school countertop. Perhaps one of the most stunning uses of wood materials happens to also be practical. A large slab of wood takes center stage in this industrial kitchen. A word of caution: Wood needs a lot of care, especially in the kitchen. Before you take the leap, do your research for the species of wood you want so you know exactly what you're getting into. See the rest of this loft |
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| 6. A wooden bath. Even though the grain of this wood is subtle, it contrasts beautifully against the otherwise all-white bathroom. When installing wood in a wet space such as the bathroom, use the same rules as installing wood outdoors. You want to make sure it lasts. |
You can also mix your grains and species. This example showcases three varieties of natural wood, yet because of the tones of each, they work beautifully together.
7. The fireplace. It may be an obvious use for wood, but it's a striking one nonetheless.
See the rest of this home
See the rest of this home
by Hufft Projects
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8. A curious separation. You can use wood to contrast a predominant material, such as metal. In this case, the wood breaks up both the vertical nature of the screen and its smooth metal texture.
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| 9. A warm welcome. When using wood for entry doors, you can keep the look modern by opting for a swivel door. Or choose a horizontal grain combined with a flat-faced door and cool hardware. |
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by brentcomber.com
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| 10. Go outdoors. When wood is used in unexpected ways or places, it makes a one-of-a-kind statement that is hard to ignore. If used outdoors, wood should be treated with the proper sealants to ensure its longevity. Tell us: How do you use natural woods in your home? Do you think creating a wood installation is a DIY project worth taking on? Share your thoughts below. More: Designer Confessions: Torn Between Wood Floors Waterlox Rocks on Wood Countertops Trend Alert: Planked Wood Ceilings |
Comments
furpants My entire house is wood -- walls, ceilings and floors. The way the light moves across the rooms during the day highlighting the grain and reflecting a golden warm sheen, it is beautiful in a way paint could never be.
15 months ago · Like
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lspswr Our designer used handscraped wood in our contemporary design which warmed up the space beautifully. We're very happy with the contrasts between warm and cold, hard and soft.
Contemporary Entry
Contemporary Entry15 months ago · Like
Casart Coverings Great post to show the many different ways wood can be used for modern interiors. Here's one with faux zebrawood, removable & reusable wallcovering and real, distressed wood used in our friend Dennis Gibbens' Architectural Design work featured in Interior Design Magazine. 
15 months ago · Like
mmsalg Thanks Katya for the reminder on how how amazing wood is as a design tool that is undervalued (it's way cooler than that old fashioned wood paneling). I especially love the accent wall. 
15 months ago · Like
linhome Great post! Thanks love the natural wood!
15 months ago · Like
JM Lifestyles WoodForm Concrete by JM Lifestyles makes some wet places more conducive to wood. It is indistinguishable and was just featured at the Architectural Digest Show this past weekend with SubZero Wolf. www.jmlifestyles.com or www.jmlifestyles.blogspot.com
15 months ago · Like
Katya Popova Thank you for sharing, everyone! I love how creative designers get with wood because it is such a versatile material! I have been thinking quite a lot about how to incorporate some more wood in our home. So far, we have: wooden art, hardwood floors and wooden cabinets in the kitchen. On my wish list: wooden barn door, wooden accent wall, wooden headboard. So much to do!
15 months ago · Like
Randy Christner I re-purposed desk wood from my neighbors deck when he had his replaced last year. I am also re-purposing the better pieces of pallets to build walls in a once useless storage area to make a loft apartment. The Green wall above the 1/2 wood wall is just a piece of fabric. The Gold Wall to the Left (pic with the vases) is a wall I upholstered with some left-over fabric from another project. 
15 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on March 23, 2012.
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