Making Magic With Wood Grain
In fashion, we're advised that horizontal stripes make us look, well, broader. Can the same be said of horizontal stripes in interior design? These rooms caught my eye because each of them makes a statement with wood grain, featuring wood oriented so the grain runs parallel to the floor. Particularly in places where it's mixed with vertical orientations, it strikes me as a brilliant way to add movement and dimension to a design—while drawing attention to something that is naturally and unconditionally beautiful.
I love the way this kitchen mixes types of wood as well as the colors of the stains. The way the fine-grained strips of the cabinetry and island are pieced together almost creates the illusion of undulation; with their espresso finish, the vertically grained wall panels have the grand presence of a tree trunk.
Orienting the grain horizontallly on the cabinetry and built-in shelving can create the sense of a broader room. The perpendicular planks over the entry and on the ceiling heighten the sense of a soaring arch overhead.
This one reminds me of a teak boat cabin. The vertical grain beneath the seat provides a sturdy platform for the tall, wide window.
What a genius idea: creating a checkerboard pattern with wood grain. Stylishly retro, this makes me want to share a highball with some Mad Men.
I can practically smell all the rich wood in this room. Grains running in all directions give it a very stimulating feel, yet it's all bathed in soothing honey—the perfect balance for a workspace where you're intending to generate ideas.
Here the wood tones go from hot cocoa to dark chocolate—such appetizing colors.
I find this very peaceful. The fine grain of the wood and the way the panels have been matched creates the sense of one of those Zen gardens just after the sand has been combed over.
Bright white kitchens are all the rage, but I'm a big fan of some rich color thrown in. The patterns of the base of this peninsula make me think of sand on a lake bottom.