As we spend more time than ever in our kitchens, consider this your inspiration board to reclaim this beloved and bustling space with some sustainable style.
“Every day I’m hearing from clients that they are wanting their homes to be calming, spalike, earthy and organic,” says Jennifer Robin, who designed the below woodsy kitchen. “Whatever the tones, wood finishes are a great way to create this, as long as people are using reclaimed or sustainably harvested woods.”
THE TREND
While sleek European kitchens will always have their place, there's been a move toward embracing organic materials in the kitchen—and not just for cabinetry. "Organic textures and nature-inspired colors literally ground you and bring you back to earth," says interior designer Jennifer Robin, who created the Napa Valley kitchen at right with Wade Design Architects. "When current affairs feel so uncertain, these qualities of an interior are what people will be yearning for—a sort of visual meditation to calm the senses."
THE DETAIL
Inspired by the redwood trees surrounding the home, Robin used copper accents to complement the reclaimed wood and forest green cabinetry seen throughout the kitchen. "We wanted to blur the lines between inside and outside and create a space that was earthy and organic but still sophisticated. The Atlanta kitchen by Jessica Davis of Atelier Davis also incorporates organic elements in the clean-lined space, using salvaged magnolia wood throughout. "I wanted to keep the design tied to the period of the home but updated for modern living," she says.
An Atlanta kitchen by Atelier Davis incorporates salvaged magnolia wood, tiles from Fireclay Tile and counters from Dekton.
THE OUTCOME
Although the sun-drenched kitchen by Bestor Architecture and Reath Design uses wood as the main material, lighter-toned Douglas fir—balanced with smooth marble and granite countertops and white backsplash tiles by Waterworks—provides a bright and modern look and feel.
PRO TIP
"Pull colors into the cabinetry and walls that are a mirror to the natural surroundings so the inside-outside line is blurred," says Robin. "Choose colors and textures that ground you to the earth and comfort you in warmth." Adds Davis, "Don't be afraid to mix wood tones and think about using wood on surfaces other than the standard issue (floors). Wood ceilings, adding wood beams for dimension and texture, wood counters, even a wood backsplash are interesting ways to incorporate wood tones to warm things up."
Bestor Architecture and Reath Design used Douglas fir in this modern kitchen.
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