Wood in Interiors: How to Use Natural Wood in Interior Design

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A custom kitchen and kitchen nook situated in front of a large window looking out onto a lush forrest. The kitchen cabinets, floor dining nook table and seating are custom made from Ash in a Japandi style

Incorporating the natural beauty of wood into our home creates a warm and tangible connection to the outdoors that can evoke the serenity of woodlands through biophilic design. A beautiful piece of wood in the hands of artisan woodworkers can transform our home into an environment that mirrors the experience of being in nature through expert craftsmanship that enhances the luxurious natural patterning of woodgrain within custom interiors and bespoke furniture. Custom-crafted pieces reflect our individuality through the care of local craftsmanship to create a unique home environment embedded with personal meaning. These pieces transcend their original purpose, becoming intrinsically linked to the territory from which they originate, the knowledge and values of their artisans, and the harmony of nature.

The living room o an ocean view penthouse featuring a large beige modular sofa, dappled grey rug, turquoise cushions and a coffee table hand-selected for its natural wood formation, meticulously crafted to preserve its organic shape and textures

The coffee table in this oceanview penthouse is a hand-selected natural wood formation, meticulously crafted to preserve its organic shape and textures. It introduces an element of biophilic design while also providing a material contrast within the space. This rich, textured wood stands out against the clean lines and neutral tones of the surrounding furniture, connecting with green chairs and cushions throughout the space to create a lush arboreal reference that connects the serenity of the forest with the calm of the oceanscape outside. 

The un-milled edges of this wood dining table preserve the organic natural contours of a tree through expert craftsmanship. These details, complemented by contrasting butterfly inlays that prevent and stabilize the split from widening, turn the table into a stunning and unique piece that celebrates the beauty of nature. 

Custom cabinetry can be a beautiful way to showcase the unique patterning of natural woodgrain, incorporating swaths of warm natural wood tones that connect our home with the comfort and mindfulness of forest bathing. This cabinet, custom-made from spalted silver maple, includes unique details such as recessed outlets camouflaged by the same wood veneer and curved edges reminiscent of natural wood forms. These custom details are designed to limit built intrusions within the space and instead focus on the natural beauty of this woodgrain as it would be enjoyed outdoors.

The living room of a beach side home which features a handcrafted floating walnut console unit under a wall mounted television. The shift in woodgrain orientation between the drawers and cabinet doors provides a gentle material contrast.

Quality woodworking embodies slow design, providing a luxurious custom alternative to mass production, which demands beauty, quality, and timelessness in the process and the finished product. This handcrafted floating walnut console unit creates a sense of lightness within this beach bachelor living room. At the same time, the shift in wood grain orientation between the drawers and cabinet doors provides a gentle material contrast within this functional storage solution.

This Tudor revival bedroom features a custom bedroom and sidetables made by an expert craftsman from American Walnut. Each are hand carved to evoke a victorian era aesthetic.

Wood is a very malleable material that can be crafted to suit any home style. The centerpiece of this Tudor revival bedroom is this custom wood bed frame made from American walnut that was hand-carved by an expert craftsman to evoke a Victorian-era aesthetic. The rich, deep tones of the wood, intricate carvings, and detailed woodgrain exude a sense of warmth and luxury that connects custom woodwork with the historical legacy of antique furniture.

Wood can also be combined with other materials to create subtle contrasts in texture. This handcrafted solid walnut dining table and throne-backed chairs are custom-made from Danish oiled walnut that harmoniously blends hard wood with soft leather to create a warm and inviting space to enjoy meals.

Incorporating expertly crafted woodwork into our home enables us to create highly customized spaces and objects imbued with personal meaning. Bespoke artisan woodwork connects our home interior with the beauty and serenity of nature by conserving and highlighting the beauty of woodgrain to create hand-made custom pieces that become personal heirlooms through the labor and care afforded this material.

www.sarahbarnard.com, www.instagram.com/kaletreeshop

Sarah Barnard, WELL AP + LEED AP, is a leading designer of personalized, sustainable spaces that support mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. She creates highly personalized, restorative spaces that are deeply connected to art and the preservation of the environment. An advocate for consciousness, inclusivity, and compassion in the creative process, Sarah has appeared in Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, Vogue, HGTV, and many other publications. In 2017 Sarah was honored as a “Ones to Watch” Scholar by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).