A TOUCH OF TIMBER
take a balanced approach to nature’s finest and reap the rewards
‘Transitional kitchens That combine sleek and minimalist elements with more natural, Textured finishes are going To be huge This year’ Andrew hamilton Barr, director, Espresso Design
While an all-out timber treatment can be hard to get right without treading perilously close to traditional lines, we’re all over this season’s restrained injection of woody warmth.
As with most natural materials, the joy of embracing a touch of timber in your kitchen lies in its inherent uniqueness. Using real wood, it is impossible to achieve an exact carbon copy – and therein lies the richness and personality that will ensure your new kitchen stands out on the ’gram. Such is the beauty of natural wood, it can be easy to get carried away. However, harnessing this look requires a considered approach – less is more. Sticking to timber below eyeline and going for a plain surface above is a popular approach. Or tone down the rusticity of a raw timber using dyes and stains that will modernise while allowing the natural grain to peep through.
‘We’re also seeing a lot of interest in dark herringbone or bi-directional wood veneers that work brilliantly at breaking up stark spaces and bring textural contrast,’ says Andrew Hamilton Barr, director of Espresso Design. ‘And after a long absence from contemporary kitchens, wood panelling is coming back in a big way, often combined with crisp surfaces and clean styling.’