Mixing woods??

2 years ago

Would walnut beams look bad with accent rift white oak cabinets in kitchen - there are two & some rift white oak shelving (and the rest if the cabinets are white/link gray), and oak hard wood floors?

we are having made - walnut fire place mantle, walnut kitchen table & coffee table / made from the black walnut trees we cut down last year.

my husband wants to add some walnut beams to the kitchen for a little more rustic look & have our beams in vaulted ceiling stained to look like that as well. he said it wont look bad since not all of our cabinets are white oak and that people mix wood tones all the time.

i must be over thinking this.

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PRO

Diana Bier Interiors, LLC

2 years ago

Isn’t that what this whole site is about? Decor? Artifice? Adding what you like to achieve a certain feel or style?
I continue to maintain that there’s a difference between design rules necessary for safety and ergonomics and those that are a matter of personal taste. Whether you personally like beams or toilet rooms or shutters or quartz or Subzero fridges or 48” ranges is of no consequence. Those choices are personal taste and saying no one should ever use them is condescending, disrespectful and unprofessional.

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Comments (9)

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Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
2 years ago
This is a decision that needs to be made in the room/rooms with the actual woods. Or at the very least, some photos, but beware that computer monitors do no render color accurately.

Of course you can mix woods, but it's a delicate balance and depends not only on the color of the wood, but the texture and how it is finished.
L B thanked Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
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PPF.
2 years ago
Pictures of the kitchen?

I don't see walnut beams as rustic, and it sounds like your kitchen isn't rustic either.
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Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
IMO fake beams always look fake and walnut is not a rustic wood so no beams . BTW you have already too many types of wood stop now.
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Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
2 years ago
How are they fake? They will be made out of genuine walnut, harvested from the property. Just because they are decorative and not structural doesn't render them fake.
L B thanked Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
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Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
Yes it does if thye are not structual they are fake beams slpped on for no purpose other than decor .
Boxerpal
2 years ago
How wonderful to be able to use wood from your own property. Something you have had made to enjoy in your space. I think you can mix woods. I agree with Diana B that it is a delicate balance as far as color, stain and tone....

Here are some walnut and rift combinations that might help you decide how you want to proceed.

Here is a favorite kitchen of mine by Elizabeth Dinkel Design

So talented. I love the mixing of woods..

Here are some on Houzz

Rustic Kitchen · More Info

House on the Green · More Info

Not Walnut but this douglas fir is gorgeous.

Kelian Court · More Info

Contemporary Westwood Home · More Info

Great Room · More Info

Remodel Rewind · More Info

A fabulous link to wood ideas from Dig Digs Ideas to mix wood tones in decor

Small Drive Remodel · More Info

Deerhill Residence - Interior Design Collaboration · More Info
L B thanked Boxerpal
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Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
2 years ago
Beautiful Boxerpal!
PRO
JAN MOYER
2 years ago
“ Have nothing you believe not to be either beautiful or useful”

Beams: Can be gorgeous even when not needed” Their usefulness is their beauty… for the owner..,

Shutters - Both apply- involve choice

4000k Lighting: useful. An eye of the beholder issue. Loathesome to SOME

Poo Closets…….Useful. So too the toilet. And there’s that DARN CHOICE WORD again