Exciting ways with natural timber

I love the energy, texture and movement that materials like bricks and timber bring to an interior. My post about exposed bricks has been popular with you, and I have since been thinking about writing a post on natural timber in interiors, so I am delighted to be teaming up with builders’ merchants C & W Berry to bring you creative ideas for using timber in your home.

Timber brings wonderful warmth, texture and practicality to a space, and can be a beautiful way to connect the inside with the outside. It is a very versatile material, catering to any style based on the type and tone of timber you choose and how you use it. While you can incorporate it through flooring and furniture like headboards, tables and chairs, there are many other ways to make natural timber an integral part of your interior design for a home that feels really special.

TIMBER IN KITCHENS

A far cry from the orange-stained pine kitchen cabinets of decades past, timber cabinets are now combined with sleek materials for a modern yet warm aesthetic as demonstrated in the kitchens below.

Wood, black marble and brass makes this kitchen stunningly dramatic. Design by Luke Fry.

Gorgeous raw wood cabinets are combined with pale finishes for a bright and airy modern-rustic kitchen. Design by Laure Herzig.

Another way to incorporate tactile timber into a kitchen is by cladding the island/peninsula. Planks are an easy way to do this, and you can choose a type that suits your style preferences: e.g. reclaimed wood planks for a rustic/industrial touch, or planks of a single type of wood for a more contemporary look. Another gorgeous way to clad in timber is using slats/battens as below.

This bar looks spectacular clad in slatted timber and topped with brass. Image: photography by Paul Massey for Livingetc.

No ordinary cladding! If you are feeling really creative, perhaps you can turn timber battens into an eye catching graphic pattern as Donna Maria Kelly has done on her home bar. Keep reading to see a whole wall similar to this!

 

TIMBER IN BATHROOMS

Bathrooms are built from materials that repel water and can withstand regular cleaning, but this can leave them feeling a little cold. A timber accent in the form of a vanity or wall feature can go a long way in visually warming up a bathroom. Use a hardwood like oak or teak, and ensure it is appropriately treated for a bathroom environment.

Beauty in simplicity: cladding the nook in the same oiled oak as the rest of the woodwork is a lovely touch in this bathroom. Design by Frier Architecture.

The timber vanity is the hero piece in this bathroom, looking beautiful with the marble counter and dark walls. Image via HomeBunch.

Oak battens beautifully define the bath area and bring warmth to the room. Design by Architects EAT.

 

WALL CLADDING

Timber clad walls are not just for rustic cabins or traditionally panelled walls. They can also wow in modern homes.

Timber cladding like this in rich toned wood is a great way to create a feature wall and works particularly well with dark tones or juxtaposed with materials like concrete. Image via Glosswood.

The dark timber wall creates a gorgeous masculine vibe in this bedroom. Design by Alison Crawford, via MyDomaine.

This is a fantastic example of a graphic timber wall to create an amazing feature. Design by Bells + Whistles.

 

CEILING CLADDING

Also known as the fifth wall, the ceiling should always be given consideration in a design scheme. For contemporary interiors with high ceilings in particular, timber instantly cosies up the space.

Different types of timber, especially the warm timber ceiling, make this expansive space feel wonderfully cosy. Designed by Figr.

The high ceiling in this lovely bedroom is given a timber treatment for added cosiness. Image via Livingetc.

 

WINDOW SEATS

We all love the idea of relaxing with a cuppa and a book by a window, so a picture window with a seat is often on a home renovation wish list. Cladding it in timber highlights it as a feature while also visually warming up a modern space.

Dark stained timber planks lining the window create a lovely contrast to the monochrome space. Interior by Dalecki Design.

The timber makes this window look like a framed picture, while connecting with the outside where similar toned timber is used for fencing. Image via Baufritz.

 

DESK TOP

Bring tactile warmth to your home office with a timber plank cut to the exact size you require to create your desk top.

The waney edge oak plank used as a desk top brings a lovely organic element to the design. See how it was done here by Emmerson & Fifteenth.

Image from Australian House & Garden June 2016. This home office nook looks so chic with black-painted wood panelling and timber desk top and shelves, which brings me to the next point…

 

COMBINING PAINTED AND RAW TIMBER

This works particularly well for bespoke fitted furniture, where the timber furniture on its own can look a tad heavy, but combined with paint produces an entirely different feel while still allowing the beauty of the timber to shine.

A custom office space is created in beautiful oak, and part painted in a contemporary pale grey for a style that is refreshingly modern yet endlessly classic. Design by Fraher Architects.

It is lovely to see the timber that is used in this boot room joinery by leaving the bench unpainted. This is also a practical win as there is no worry of chipping paint through regular use of the bench. Design by Whittney Parkinson Design.

Have you gone beyond floorboards with timber details in your home, or are you planning to incorporate it into your home design? 

This post is in collaboration with C & W Berry. As always, all ideas, opinions and words are my own.

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