NATURAL MATERIALS ...

Wood adds warmth to a room’s decor

There’s something special about the look and feel of wood, with its textured grains — or the striking swirls of authentic marble. The home decor industry has done an amazing job of creating synthetic counterparts that mimic the real thing, but for many designers and style-centric homeowners, there’s nothing like the real thing. “Inherent textures like wood grain and stone veining give a design individuality and character,” said Scott Yetman, of Scott Yetman Design. “They add warmth and texture to a space. I think everyone is concerned about non-toxic environments, too, so they want to go more toward the natural.” This includes everything from wood and stone to marble, metal, material like grasscloth (which can be used for wall coverings), and even animal hide. Woods have long been used in home design, and different varieties are better suited for particular applications. “For cabinets, we don’t do solid wood but rather wood veneers like oak, and we use these for panelling bathroom vanities and kitchens,” said designer Kelli Richards, of Kelli Richards Designs. “We also work with walnut because people like the beautiful grey tone and grain of this species.” Other popular woods include cedar, padauk, teak, and alder. There’s nothing more stunning than real marble, with its unique veining and colour combinations. “Marble is something people always have questions about,” Richards said. “They see nice pictures on the internet and the one thing it comes down to: Is this practical? My answer is yes. For a shelving unit in a kitchen, or as an accent wall, a slab of marble can be beautiful.” Richards said that people feel a real attachment to organic materials because, in decorating with them, we’re essentially bringing nature into our everyday living. “People feel attached to nature, so you feel more connected to the outdoors,” she explained. “When everything is manmade, you just don’t have that feeling of bringing the outdoors in.” Despite their beautiful appearance, natural materials can also be finnicky, requiring careful handling along with regular maintenance. They come with a heftier price tag as well. “Many natural materials, such as more porous woods and stones, can stain,” Yetman warned. The same can be said about marble, which may be resistant to heat but is susceptible to staining and cracking. It’s also very labour-intensive to install, given its weight. Yetman recommended using proper sealers and protectants to make natural materials more user-friendly; Richards said that regular maintenance must be done, at least every six months. “Other times, the fact that it shows usage and age is part of the character,” Yetman added. Try doing a mix of both natural and manmade materials, Richards suggested. While she has been commissioned in the past to use only natural wood (in a bathroom, no less, which is no easy feat given wood can expand and contract with moisture), she tends to use both organic and synthetic products, depending on the application as well as the client’s needs. “I wouldn’t put marble everywhere,” she said, “but I love to put it as a backsplash for the look of it.” While natural materials have long been used in traditional residential design (before the advent and improvement of modern-day synthetic materials, there was only real wood and stone to be had), they can fit seamlessly into contemporary interiors, too. “Sometimes a modern environment can become more personal and human, while keeping its sense of modernity,” Yetman said.

PHOTOS (3): COURTESY OF KELLI RICHARDS DESIGNS A kitchen island countertop of Calacatta Cararra marble extends down either side of the island and creates an eye-catching decor touch.

Wood grain (such as in the bar top cabinet at left) and stone veining (such as in the fireplace at right) give a room’s design individuality and character, says designer Scott Yetman.

The unique veining in this marble kitchen backsplash is a dramatic focal point that perfectly complements the contemporary decor. DREW HADLEY PHOTOS (2): COURTESY OF SCOTT YETMAN DESIGN

Both the sliding barn door and the custom-made bed in this bedroom were made of walnut wood with an oiled finish.

A solid cherry wood was used for the vanity and shelf in this master bath, and the two sinks are concrete painted white. These elements, along with the light coloured tiles, provided the rustic, natural vibe the homeowners were seeking.