Fourteen homes where exposed cross-laminated timber creates cosy interiors

Plywood, an engineered wood product made from multiple thin layers of wood veneer bonded together, is gaining increasing popularity as a decorative element in residential interiors. Traditionally used for its structural integrity, plywood is now being embraced by designers for its ability to create uniform, tactile, and warm spaces. The inherent wood grain and organic texture of plywood bring a natural aesthetic to interiors, contrasting effectively with other materials and design elements. One prominent example is the Torö summer house in the Swedish archipelago, designed by Atelier Heyman Hamilton with interior design by Matsson Marnell. Here, plywood walls and ceilings are paired with bespoke wooden furniture and soft natural textiles in the bedroom, establishing a serene and cohesive environment. The extensive use of wood throughout the home emphasizes a connection to nature and promotes a sense of tranquility. In London, Nimtim Architects utilized plywood for multifunctional partitions in the Curve Appeal house. These partitions, adorned with decorative arch and circle motifs, ingeniously conceal structural components, services, and sliding doors, thereby maximizing space and adding visual interest. This application highlights plywood's versatility in creating both functional and aesthetically pleasing architectural features. Northcote House in Melbourne, by LLDS Architects, showcases plywood in a more sculptural capacity. A distinctive curving plywood staircase serves as a focal point, leading to the lower levels of the home. The adjacent walls feature swooping plywood panelling that forms a cozy nook for relaxation, demonstrating plywood's potential for dynamic and ergonomic design. Intervention Architecture's renovation of a 24-square-metre micro-apartment in London exemplifies plywood's utility in compact living spaces. Bespoke plywood joinery effectively hides furniture, including a fold-out bed, and provides ample storage, contributing to a more spacious and organized feel. This project underscores plywood's role in optimizing small areas through clever, integrated design solutions. Timjan Villa in Lund, Sweden, an extension by Johan Sundberg Arkitektur, features pale plywood lining the interior walls, which provides a gentle contrast to the grey stone floors. This material choice helps create a bright and airy atmosphere, further enhanced by the presence of green plants and views of the surrounding garden, linking the interior with its natural setting. Workshop Architecture Inc.'s Unfinished House in Canada integrates plywood panelling in its natural hue with light-blue kitchen cabinets and tiles. The exposed Douglas fir plywood and pine wood framing add visual interest and offer practical small storage shelves, showcasing how plywood can contribute to a raw, honest aesthetic while serving functional purposes. Finally, Tikari Works' Pocket House in London, a compact 35-square-metre residence, extensively uses plywood panelling in its bedroom, complemented by a matching bedframe and an adjoining terrace. Plywood also forms a practical kitchen unit, illustrating its adaptability for various functions within a small footprint and its ability to create a cohesive, minimalist design. These projects collectively demonstrate plywood's versatility and aesthetic appeal in contemporary home design, ranging from creating warm, uniform interiors to sculptural elements and ingenious space-saving solutions. #PlywoodPanelling #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #ResidentialArchitecture #WoodInteriors #SustainableMaterials #MicroApartments #CustomJoinery #ModernHomes

This lookbook showcases ten residential interiors that feature exposed wooden beams, highlighting how these structural elements can add a rustic yet industrial aesthetic to a living space. The article compiles diverse examples from various international locations, demonstrating how designers have incorporated exposed beams into both modern and traditional settings. In Morehouse, US, renovated by Stewart-Schafer, the home in Connecticut was designed to reflect its woodland surroundings. The integration of Japandi-style decor and a natural, woody color palette complements the existing wooden floors, ceilings, and exposed joinery, creating a cohesive and natural interior. The Barn in Canada, transformed by Louis Beliveau of La Firme studio, is a three-storey holiday home converted from a dilapidated building. Its interior is characterized by white oak floors, white-washed wood walls, and exposed wood beams, which were intentionally preserved to maintain the property's rustic character while infusing it with light. Nook Architects refurbished a Barcelona apartment, creating a space where light flows freely. Original colorful tile flooring and exposed timber beams, uncovered during the restoration, were preserved. Crittal glass partitions for the master bedroom and a central lightwell are modern additions that harmonize with the historic elements. In New York City, Worrell Yeung renovated a Manhattan loft for an artist, leaving timber columns, beams, and ceiling joists raw and exposed. This industrial backdrop is complemented by new Cassina furniture, white walls and ceilings, and reclaimed pine wood floors, forming an eclectic yet sophisticated living area. Danish design company Vipp's showroom-cum-apartment in Tribeca, US, embodies a pared-back aesthetic within a former factory dating back to 1883. Exposed wooden elements blend with a neutral grey-beige palette and functional living spaces, serving as a New York pied-à-terre for the founder. Jonathan Tuckey Design's Collage House in England is an architectural designer's home created from a 19th-century steel workshop. Jonathan Tuckey chose simple materials, restoring original ceiling beams and leaving bare brick walls with black marks, contributing to a weathered and characterful London home. Another project by Nook Architects, End of the Roc in Barcelona, features original wooden ceiling beams, geometric patterned floor tiling, and a 40-year-old wall covering. The designers utilized oak and black-painted furnishings to create a sense of cohesion among these diverse elements. General Assembly's Gowanus Loft in Brooklyn, US, saw chunky timber columns and beams deliberately exposed and sanded to highlight the original woodwork of a former textile mill. Modern touches include grey kitchen tiling, polished concrete flooring, and rift white oak cabinetry, balancing industrial heritage with contemporary design. In Japan, Studio Kwas designed the Y House with angular spruce wood columns resembling tree trunks. These structural elements divide the open-plan living area and continue on the second floor, where pine beams and diagonal columns playfully partition sleeping and play areas for a family of five. Finally, the Calistoga Residence in Napa Valley, US, designed by Wade Design Architects and Geremia Design, draws inspiration from local vineyards and farmhouses. This wood-clad home features white walls, pale tones, dark tiled flooring, black window frames, and a collection of antique furnishings, integrating rustic charm with elegant design. These projects collectively demonstrate the versatility and aesthetic appeal of exposed wooden beams in residential architecture and interiors. #ExposedBeams #WoodenInteriors #ResidentialDesign #InteriorRenovation #RusticIndustrial #ModernDesign #ArchitecturalElements #HomeDecor #WoodArchitecture

Oriented Strand Board (OSB), an engineered wood product, is gaining recognition among architects and designers for its aesthetic and practical qualities. Traditionally utilized as sheathing in walls, flooring, and roof decking and often hidden beneath other finish materials, OSB is now being showcased prominently in modern interiors. This material, composed of compressed layers of large wood strands held together with adhesives, wax, and resin, offers stability and strength. Its origins trace back to postwar America, a period marked by the development of numerous new construction materials aimed at cost-effective and durable building. The article highlights OSB's unique visual appeal, characterized by its irregular wood flakes, which provide a rough, variegated surface. This texture contributes to a lively and unexpected aesthetic, blending an industrial, unfinished look with earthy wood undertones. The article presents thirteen examples where OSB has been innovatively incorporated into home design. These examples demonstrate the material's versatility across various architectural contexts and design philosophies. For instance, in an 1850s threshing barn in rural England, OSB was used to finish the interiors, evoking the straw previously stored within the structure. In a Brooklyn loft, a large, multi-functional OSB structure houses skylights, a bathroom, a baby's room, and a master sleeping alcove, serving as a dominant feature. A Scandinavian island retreat utilized OSB walls in conjunction with a simple gabled design and a sheet metal facade to maintain low expenses. An Arizona home features a bathroom with sanded and sealed OSB for its vanity, demonstrating the material's application beyond structural components, even in high-moisture environments after proper treatment. Further examples include a 625-square-foot apartment renovation in Barcelona, where OSB was selected for a wardrobe due to its minimal resin content, aligning with sustainable design principles. In Namibia's Skeleton Coast, prefab cabins for a boutique hotel extensively used OSB for interiors, supporting a low-impact, budget-conscious construction approach in a harsh desert environment. A Parisian loft renovation combined OSB with black steel and bright blue accents to create industrial vibes. An A-frame cabin in the Hamptons features structural-grade OSB floors, noted for their durability and visual appeal despite the material's informal nickname. A garden studio in New Zealand utilized OSB for interior walls, floor, and ceiling, with structural supports forming a geometric aesthetic. An urban cabin in Italy incorporated OSB-clad living and sleeping areas leading to a bold blue bathroom. London's modular, affordable housing units, known as SHEDs, employ OSB alongside lamb’s wool insulation and recycled polyester, emphasizing sustainability and rapid construction. Finally, a Georgian townhouse in Edinburgh's historic New Town features black-painted OSB on its upper floor, retaining its variegated texture as a decorative element. These diverse applications underscore OSB's potential to be a stylish, budget-friendly, and sustainable material in contemporary architectural design. #OrientedStrandBoard #OSBInteriors #ModernDesign #BudgetFriendlyDesign #SustainableMaterials #ArchitecturalInnovation #InteriorTexture #EngineeredWood #HomeRenovation

Exposed beams are an architectural feature that can add significant drama and character to a home's interior, whether made of wood, metal, or cement. This compilation showcases 25 diverse examples of modern homes that highlight this design element, ranging from rustic to contemporary styles. One notable example is Harry Gesner’s 1965 house for John Scantlin, where a single-ridge beam and its lateral, rib-like beams are prominently featured, extending upwards and outwards to frame the view. Such designs can sometimes be overlooked from inside a home, but when exposed, they offer a powerful visual statement. The article illustrates how exposed beam ceilings can create a sense of grandeur and reveal the underlying structural beauty of a building. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, exposed beams can also serve functional purposes, such as defining spaces or creating an illusion of height or intimacy. For instance, in one featured home, a cantilevered loft dramatically soars over the main living area, supported by exposed beams. Another example details the extensive effort involved in uncovering the original concrete columns of a building with an industrial past. These columns, unusually thick, were hidden beneath layers of white paint, and their exposure revealed the space's inherent gritty character. The collection also includes varied applications of exposed beams in different rooms and contexts. An open living and bedroom area in a rural retreat uses exposed beams in conjunction with a wall that rises from a master-suite platform, showcasing a blend of vintage and modern furniture. In an Italian Alpine home, local craftsmanship is celebrated through prominent larch wood accents and a custom fireplace, with the beams contributing to the rustic aesthetic. Kitchens also benefit from this design, with examples featuring custom LED lamps hanging above concrete islands, where beams are stained to oxidize over time, and restored wooden beam ceilings paired with polished cement floors in serene settings. Living spaces demonstrate the versatility of exposed beams: inverted trusses can subtly delineate areas in a great room, and original wooden rafters and window grids contribute to the authenticity of older houses. Some designs integrate modern elements, such as exposed ethanol burners replacing traditional fireplaces, or reclaimed oak beams defining an upstairs lounge. Historic renovations are also highlighted, including a circa-1884 former soap warehouse in Tribeca, where original 16-foot beam ceilings, brick walls, and timber columns are preserved and complemented by steel, glass, and modern finishes. The article further explores practical considerations, such as the use of high-performance tinted glass in skylights to regulate temperature in spaces with exposed structures, and the functional role of horizontal beams in barn houses to create the illusion of a lower ceiling while maintaining an open feel. Other examples include living areas with turquoise-painted beams that match contemporary furniture, master bedrooms with original roof undersides exposed, and bathrooms featuring massive pine beams or original wooden beams arching overhead in attic spaces. Universal design principles are also showcased, with cedar beams adding warmth alongside polished concrete floors for accessibility. Overall, the collection demonstrates how exposed beams, regardless of their material or style, contribute significantly to the architectural and interior design of modern homes, offering both visual interest and structural integrity. #ExposedBeams #HomeDesign #ArchitecturalDetails #InteriorDesign #ModernHomes #RusticDesign #StructuralElements #Renovation #WoodBeams

This article highlights the versatile and appealing nature of wood as a design element in modern interiors, moving beyond traditional wood paneling to showcase its diverse applications. Wood's inherent qualities, such as its natural grain, texture, and warmth, make it a valuable material in contemporary home design. The material's adaptability allows for its use in various forms, from elegant floor and wall patterns to custom built-ins, and it integrates well with other mediums. Furthermore, wood is presented as a sustainable building material due to its renewable nature and relatively low carbon emissions. The article features several examples from the print archive that demonstrate innovative uses of wood. One such example is an architect's Chilean island hideaway, a multi-stage development by Guillermo Acuña that includes a boathouse and cabins. Here, wood contributes to a modest living space and an upper-floor cabin with a wood-burning stove and beanbag chairs, reflecting a rustic yet refined aesthetic ideal for a coastal retreat. Another case is a restored British modern masterpiece, a two-story, flat-roofed residence designed by Peter Womersley in 1954. This home, clad in glass and wood, stands out among traditional stone cottages, exemplifying how wood can be used to create a distinctive architectural statement while blending with the natural landscape of the Pennine Hills. A cabin inspired by Japanese bungalows and Shou Sugi Ban techniques in the mountains of North Carolina showcases the material's ability to evoke tranquility. The use of reclaimed poplar for single walls in each room creates a Zen-like simplicity, emphasizing sustainability and cultural inspiration in design. An expansive Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired modern home in Bar Harbor, Maine, combines wood and stone across 2,500 square feet. Designed by SPAN Architecture, this waterfront cabin features custom wood built-ins that maximize utility and streamline the interior, illustrating wood's functional and aesthetic benefits in a cohesive design. A charred-cedar clad home on Lake Michigan demonstrates an innovative approach to wood treatment. Desai Chia Architecture repurposed ash trees from the client's property for interior elements and utilized shou sugi ban for the exterior cedar cladding, highlighting wood's protective qualities against fire, insects, and aging, while also providing a unique visual texture. Moving to a renovated Portland gem, a 1959 house by Aaron and Yuka Ruell exemplifies how original wood paneling can be refreshed. The home, nestled among fir and cedar trees, maintains its vintage charm with large glass expanses and generous overhangs, showcasing a blend of 20th-century Pacific Northwest design with contemporary updates. In San Francisco, a striking slatted wood and glass home by architect Craig Steely, designed for an industrial designer and mechanical engineer, illustrates wood's role in creating dynamic facades and controlling views with indoor louvers. This project underscores the material's capacity for both privacy and openness. A compact wooden home in Tokyo, designed by Masahiro and Mao Harada of Mount Fuji Architects Studio, challenges traditional housing definitions by consistently applying wood to the ceiling, walls, and floor. This creates a beautifully flowing, unified space that maximizes the small footprint. An expanded cabin in Virginia by Lauren and Josh Stegall adds an 800-square-foot extension with a large window overlooking the Blue Ridge Parkway. This project emphasizes wood's suitability for additions that blend seamlessly with existing structures and natural surroundings. Finally, an eco-friendly A-frame in the French countryside, designed by Arba, incorporates four varieties of wood, demonstrating how different types can be assembled to create a cohesive material vocabulary. This residence, a sanctuary from city life, highlights wood's natural aesthetic and its contribution to a harmonious living environment. These examples collectively illustrate wood's enduring appeal and versatility in modern architecture and interior design, offering warmth, texture, sustainability, and aesthetic flexibility. #WoodInteriors #ModernDesign #HomeRenovation #ArchitecturalWoodwork #SustainableMaterials #InteriorDesign #HomeTours #ShouSugiBan #CustomBuiltIns

This article showcases nine spectacular wooden homes from around the world that redefine traditional timber construction, moving far beyond the concept of a simple log cabin. Each featured property demonstrates innovative architectural approaches, highlighting wood's versatility, aesthetic appeal, and structural capabilities in modern design. The Woodhouse in Jutland, Denmark, exemplifies a harmonious integration with its woodland surroundings. Designed with Douglas fir paneling and extensive windows, it offers panoramic forest views and a connection to nature. The main house features an open-plan kitchen and living area, master bedroom with a private terrace, and an outbuilding with additional bedrooms, making it an ideal holiday rental. Its minimalist interiors, softened by a wood-burning stove and exposed beams, are complemented by gold accents. In East Dulwich, London, the Pocket House by Tikari Works illustrates innovative urban design on a compact plot. This half-subterranean home, built on a former car garage site, utilizes a lightwell to bring natural light into its basement levels. A slatted timber screen exterior ensures privacy while allowing sunlight penetration. The interior combines concrete, Douglas fir, and spruce with exposed brickwork, featuring clever built-in storage and playful architectural elements like oversized doors and folding walls. Chimney House in Logatec, Slovenia, designed by Dekleva Gregorič Arhitekti, draws inspiration from traditional Slovenian barns and local 16th-century church architecture. Its distinctive feature is a long, chimney-shaped skylight that runs along the roof, flooding the interior with natural light and framing sky views. Clad in oiled larch, the exterior blends with the forest landscape. Inside, the open-plan kitchen and dining area are anchored by a blackened metal-encased chimney, with oiled oak walls and flooring providing warmth and functionality through integrated seating nooks and storage. Knothole House in Hiroshima, Japan, by ICADA, challenges perceptions of cheap wood by intentionally incorporating knotholes to create unique lighting effects resembling a starry night sky. Built as an annex, this 969-square-foot home uses low-cost laminated timber, leftover roof panels, and insulation-filled textiles, with hemp ropes substituting traditional beams. The exposed wooden framework throughout the interior contributes to an organic, pared-back aesthetic. Haus am Moor in Krumbach, Austria, is a modern residence and studio inspired by rural barns. Its elm and fir-clad exterior is designed to weather gracefully. The construction uniquely utilized clay from the foundation to create on-site air-dried bricks. The interior, designed by Bernado Bader Architekten, features concrete and wood sourced from the owner's forest, embracing a 'root to tip' philosophy. A minimalist design with exposed wood and polished concrete, it is efficiently heated by a central wood-burning hearth and a geothermal pump. A woodland home in Cornwall, UK, built by a couple specializing in steam-bending wood, showcases remarkable DIY craftsmanship. Featured on Grand Designs, this 2,282-square-foot home cost significantly less than typical construction due to the owners' hands-on approach. Exquisite wood cladding is used throughout, including in a spa-style bathroom, and custom wood-bent elements like balconies and lampshades highlight the couple's expertise. Summertide in Nevada, USA, is a luxurious log home overlooking Lake Tahoe, previously owned by Howard Hughes. Built in 1934, with a guesthouse added in 1940, the property features rustic charm with low wooden beams and stone fireplaces. Spanning five and a half acres, it includes a vast wooden deck with a hot tub, offering stunning lake views. Residence Terschelling in the Netherlands, designed by Achterbosch Architecten, is a contemporary wooden home nestled in sandy dunes, offering North Sea views. Built into the ground, its basement is integrated beneath the dunes, allowing the structure to merge with the natural landscape. A two-story glazed gable maximizes light, and Western red cedar cladding is chosen to weather and blend with the surroundings. Finally, The Standard House in Pszczyna, Poland, by KWK Promes, is a versatile, round, wood-clad home designed to adapt to various terrains. Emphasizing sustainability, it uses natural materials and renewable energy sources. Prefabricated wooden parts reduced building costs without compromising quality. Its circular silhouette eliminates thermal bridges, providing excellent insulation and a warm, cozy interior, with exposed wooden beams and a minimalist palette defining its unique architectural style. #woodenHomes #architecturalDesign #sustainableArchitecture #modernLiving #timberConstruction #innovativeDesign #homeArchitecture #uniqueHomes #woodwork

This lookbook explores how flooring details and materials can create the impression that a living space extends beyond a house's exterior walls. Various techniques are employed to achieve a continuous floor surface, ranging from using identical or similar flooring materials for both indoor and outdoor areas to leveraging level thresholds and floor-to-ceiling glazing. The article highlights that a consistent surface, even with differing materials, can evoke a sense of continuation. The featured examples demonstrate diverse applications of these methods across different residential settings. Casa Mola in Mexico, designed by Estudio Atemporal, connects indoor large-format tiles with outdoor brickwork paving through sliding glass doors and level thresholds, encouraging a more organic way of living in its forested environment. The Saddlery in the UK by Studio Octopi utilizes continuous terrazzo flooring from interior to exterior in a Georgian house extension, with the material's speckled colors complementing the building's mint-green metal walls. Proctor & Shaw's Dulwich House in the UK integrates its kitchen and terrace into a single space, divided only by subtle level changes. Flush thresholds are achieved with continuous porcelain tile flooring and glass doors that slide away, completely opening up the corner of the building. Maison Hercourt in France, renovated by Studio Guma, uses minimal glazing to merge a kitchen with an adjoining patio, despite a transition from concrete to stone flooring, creating a visual flow from the former cart shed space. Norm Architects' Fjord Boat House in Denmark incorporates handmade ceramic bricks for flooring that extends from the interior living spaces to an outdoor terrace, fostering a rustic, casual atmosphere. Ederlezi in Mexico, a low-cost infill house by Práctica Arquitectura, cleverly uses saltillo tiles on the edges of its landscaped courtyard to visually extend the interior living space outdoors without the need for extensive tiling. Hutch Design's The Maker's Barn in the UK, a rural holiday rental, features full-height glazing that connects end-grain timber flooring indoors with outdoor paving tiles, particularly effective in the primary bedroom with its sunken bath. Mossy Point in Australia, by Edition Office, uses frameless glazing to merge distinct interior blue tiles with outdoor wooden decking, creating a seamless visual connection despite different materials. Shift House in Spain, designed by Nomo Studio, employs roughly polished white concrete flooring throughout its interior and exterior, providing continuity from the top-floor entrance to a balcony terrace. Finally, A Modern Oasis in the UK by Richard Parr Associates achieves a visual link between indoor polished concrete and outdoor paving tiles by carefully matching their colors and maintaining level thresholds. This collection of homes illustrates various design strategies to blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces through thoughtful flooring choices and architectural elements, enhancing the overall living experience and connection to the surrounding environment. #Flooring #IndoorOutdoorLiving #HomeDesign #ArchitecturalFeatures #MaterialSelection #SeamlessTransitions #ResidentialArchitecture #ContinuousSurfaces #ModernHomes

This article delves into the design of a modern cabin home in Istanbul's Kemer Country, Göktürk, focusing on its seamless integration with the natural forest environment. The homeowner's primary brief to the Istanbul-based studio, Escapefromsofa, was to create a contemporary, comfortable, and practical living space that effortlessly blended both aesthetically and functionally with its rural surroundings. The design team, comprising architect Mahmut Kefel, interior architect Kerem Erçin, and interior designer İrem Başer, aimed to make the home feel like a natural extension of the woodlands, emphasizing an indoor-outdoor living concept. A significant challenge for the design team was to construct a modern home that not only harmonized with the natural landscape but also possessed a timeless presence. This involved carefully selecting materials and finishes that would age gracefully, contributing to a sense of history and continuity. To address this, the team prioritized natural and sustainable materials that would blend with the environment. For the exterior, specific materials were chosen to ensure the house looked as if it had always been a part of the landscape, creating an evolving narrative over time. Inside, the use of natural materials such as wood and stone was crucial, with their organic textures and colors chosen to complement the outdoor scenery. Wooden beams and flooring, alongside stone accents, contributed to a rustic yet sophisticated ambiance. The interior color palette was another critical element in achieving the desired blend. The designers opted for earthy, muted tones enriched with elegant touches and various textures, all mirroring the natural beauty of the surrounding forest. The architectural design further enhanced the connection to nature through high ceilings and large windows, which were strategically incorporated to invite ample natural light and outdoor views into the living spaces. These design choices fostered a serene and peaceful atmosphere, making the home feel immersed in the forest. Furniture placement and open-plan layouts were carefully planned to direct attention towards the windows and the expansive vistas beyond. This ensured that sightlines remained unobstructed, encouraging residents to engage with the natural beauty outside. A highlight for the Escapefromsofa team was the open-plan downstairs living area. They found particular enjoyment in combining high ceilings with exposed wooden beams, which created a striking architectural feature and added rustic charm. The integration of the living room and kitchen into a single fluid space promoted a seamless flow, making it ideal for socializing and entertaining. Warm wooden tones were consistently used throughout the kitchen cabinetry and flooring to maintain a cohesive and inviting atmosphere. The project successfully met its initial objective, delivering a home that is both welcoming and cozy, yet chic and sophisticated. The final design stands as a tribute to its beautiful natural surroundings, embodying the philosophy that the home should be an integral part of its environment. The design choices underscore a commitment to creating a living space that feels naturally evolved and deeply connected to nature, reflecting a modern lifestyle within a harmonious, organic setting. #InteriorDesign #ModernCabin #NaturalMaterials #IndoorOutdoorLiving #SustainableDesign #EarthTones #OpenPlanLiving #ArchitecturalDesign #ForestHome

The article discusses the resurgence of wood-clad interiors in contemporary home design, highlighting how designers are re-embracing this traditional material to create cozy and nature-connected spaces. Despite a past association with outdated 1970s aesthetics, wood paneling, millwork, and veneer are being widely adopted in various forms, from cedar-paneled dining rooms to soaring mahogany-veneered living spaces and intricate Arts and Crafts-style libraries. The inherent properties of wood, such as its insulating qualities and decorative potential, are noted as historical reasons for its widespread use across diverse cultures and architectural periods, including traditional Japanese and Chinese homes, Gothic interiors, Victorian wainscoting, and modernist Case Study houses by architects like Charlotte Perriand and Ray Kappe. Designers today are innovating with wood-clad interiors. AD100 designer Jamie Bush, for instance, counters the perception of wood as dark or dreary by explaining that a darker interior can draw the eye towards exterior windows, a technique favored by craftsman architects. Bush's projects demonstrate the versatility of wood, from using cedar planks to create intimacy in vast Santa Monica Canyon living spaces to applying wide-plank oak flooring to both floors and walls in a Montecito bedroom, creating a "bento box" effect. The article showcases how wood is being incorporated into unexpected contexts, moving beyond traditional applications. For example, Aurora James’s Los Angeles home, an English cottage-style house, features a wood-clad wall, adding depth and character. Designers Aaron Aujla and Ben Bloomstein of Green River Project are recognized for their wood-forward interiors, seen in Aujla's own New York City rental with African mahogany and coffee-stained Douglas fir, and in commercial spaces for fashion brands and hospitality venues. This rustic aesthetic appeals to a younger, fashion-forward demographic, as exemplified by former NFL player Romeo Okwara’s wood-clad landing in his Detroit home. The trend also extends to more refined applications. Designer Athena Calderone discovered original varnished-white oak paneling in a 1902 Tribeca apartment, which led her to explore Art Deco-inspired wood interiors, such as those by Hugo Toro who used polished walnut, sweet gum, and ziricote in his Paris apartment. Calderone's experience highlights the initial hesitation some may have towards wood-clad spaces, but also the eventual appreciation as the design is experienced over time. The article delves into the technical aspects of working with wood, differentiating between solid wood for paneling and thin-cut wood veneer for curved surfaces or non-flat applications. Solid wood offers a hand-hewn, more expensive look, while veneer provides stability, radius curve capability, and diverse finish and grain options, often preferred in more urban settings. Designers like Oliver Furth blend solid walnut and veneer on various surfaces, including kitchen cabinetry, walls, ceilings, and bathrooms, to achieve a modern and authentic connection to the natural environment, especially when the material is locally sourced. AD100 firm Commune emphasizes the enduring relevance of wood-clad interiors, noting its use in projects like a Santa Cruz beach house lined with salvaged Monterey Cypress and an off-the-grid cabin using knotty cedar and white oak. The firm's cofounder, Roman Alonso, attributes the current surge in client demand for wood to a desire for warmth and coziness, a reaction against the prevalent all-white and beige luxury aesthetics. He also points out the natural fit of wood in coastal California projects, where it ages gracefully and blends seamlessly with the environment. The diverse examples and expert insights presented underscore wood’s versatility and timeless appeal in interior design, solidifying its significant moment in contemporary aesthetics. #WoodInteriors #HomeDesignTrends #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalWoodwork #LuxuryInteriors #DesignRevival #ContemporaryDesign #MaterialTrends #ArchitecturalDigest

This article explores three distinct rustic wooden cabins, each offering a unique interpretation of warmth and comfort, perfectly suited for a winter getaway. These homes, drawn from the Architectural Digest archives, showcase how different regions and design approaches can achieve a cozy, inviting atmosphere. The first cabin highlighted is a rustic family retreat located in Pawna, India. This 12,000-square-foot, three-story lodge combines rustic charm with modern sophistication. Designed by NACL Studio, it was conceptualized as a log house, meticulously constructed with imported wood and local craftsmanship. Situated atop a hill, the retreat offers a seamless blend of concrete and wood, creating a welcoming impression for a sexagenarian couple, their two children, and their spouses, providing an escape from urban life. The interior design emphasizes natural materials and a sense of understated luxury, making it an ideal gathering place for the family. The second feature is a warm winter getaway in Germany, a small log cabin in a forest clearing near a crystal-clear lake. Designed by Silvia Schellenberg-Thaut and Sebastian Thaut of Atelier ST, this refuge caters to city dwellers seeking fresh air and tranquility. The concept prioritizes structural openness, with the living area acting as the heart of the home. Despite its modest size of around 183 square feet, the ceiling extends to the roof, enhancing the sense of spaciousness. Pine wood is used extensively throughout, from built-in units to kitchen cabinets and worktops, reinforcing a cohesive and natural aesthetic. Minimalist, Japanese-inspired furnishings in black provide subtle contrasts to the otherwise limited color palette, further accentuating the warmth and security provided by the natural pine-clad floors, ceilings, and walls. Finally, the article presents a bohemian cabin in Manali, India, a 1,500-square-foot home owned by Rohan Thakur and Bharati Bahrani. This dwelling embraces a "slow Pahadi life" aesthetic, blending rustic and bohemian styles. Interior designer Sherab Zangmo Tharbus notes the overlapping elements of both styles, particularly their unfinished character and reliance on natural materials. The cabin features large windows that frame views of the mountains, allowing natural light to transform the space throughout the day and seasons. Teal is prominently used on living room walls, complementing the wooden ceilings, while orange and red accents, along with blue cabinets, are incorporated into the kitchen-dining area. The design skillfully integrates Deodar and Rye wood with orange and teal highlights, creating a balanced and harmonious environment. Terracotta elements in the kitchen further contribute to the earthy and natural feel, culminating in a versatile space that functions as a rustic Himalayan cabin, a bright bohemian abode, a home studio, and a secluded sanctuary filled with cherished memories. #RusticCabins #WinterGetaways #WoodenHomes #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalDigest #HomeDecor #BohemianDesign #SustainableLiving #CozyInteriors

The article explores the enduring and evolving trend of using natural wood in home design, highlighting its resurgence in contemporary interiors. It posits that while wood has always been a staple, modern applications are elevating it beyond traditional forms like paneling or shiplap, focusing on fresh applications, diverse tones, and modern twists. Several Dallas-based designers showcase their approaches to integrating wood into various home settings. Chris Angelle, facing space constraints in a high-rise condo, utilized custom wood built-ins and cabinetry to connect the dining area with the kitchen, providing storage and visual coherence while maintaining warmth in a compact space. He emphasized the use of a transparent table to open up the area, balancing the warmth of the wood with functionality. Allison Seidler, another featured designer, created an attention-grabbing focal wall with custom gridded white oak paneling, visible from the home's entrance. She cautioned homeowners about the higher cost of stain-grade wood compared to paint-grade options and the inherent variances in natural materials, which she considers part of their charm. Seidler believes natural wood walls are a lasting design element that adds warmth and character. Joshua Rice, in collaboration with Smitharc Architecture + Interiors, designed a continuous wood-wrapped entry for a home. This project featured different woods for the exterior and interior: thermally treated ash with a vertical grooved pattern for the outside and fumed white oak veneer for the inside. Rice emphasized a commitment to natural materials, explaining that fuming is a natural chemical process that aligns with their design philosophy, contrasting it with staining. Cynthia Collins designed an intimate inglenook, cladding every surface of the conversation space in white oak to create a cocoon-like, inviting effect. She highlighted wood's versatility and its ability to ground a space with its earthy, timeless quality. Collins asserts that wood tones will always be a lasting feature in design. Morgan Farrow tackled the challenge of creating an elegant yet approachable formal sitting room by incorporating an intricately patterned natural wood ceiling treatment. This design choice aimed to draw the eye upward and prevent the space from feeling overly feminine. Farrow considers ceilings her favorite place to use wood, describing its effect as a "warm hug" that draws individuals into a room. Mary Beth Wagner chose to embrace existing wood paneling in a home office rather than painting over it. To refresh the space, she added wallpaper to the coffered ceiling squares and complemented the cherry stain with soft blue and taupe furnishings. Wagner noted that the once-popular painted navy study is no longer as exciting, and re-embracing wood allows for greater creativity with color palettes and textures in design. The article underscores that current wood trends are about celebrating the natural material's inherent beauty, texture, and warmth through thoughtful, modern applications. Designers are moving away from covering up wood with paint or overly rustic styles, instead opting for techniques that highlight its grain and character, making it a sophisticated and enduring element in contemporary home design.

The article presents a residential project located in Rosocha-Kolonia, Poland, designed by Studio GAB. The house, completed in 2023, covers an area of 180 square meters and was photographed by Oni Studio. The design concept for this house in the middle of a forest focused on integrating with its natural surroundings, primarily through the extensive use of wood. The architects opted for wood as both a structural and finishing material, reflecting a modern approach to forest-located housing. The construction utilizes frame technology, and a significant portion of the interior finishing incorporates deciduous plywood. This plywood serves a dual purpose: it acts as a decorative element, contributing to the aesthetic of the living spaces, and is also used for crafting certain furniture pieces within the house. The project emphasizes residential architecture and interior design. The choice of wood throughout the house aims to create a cohesive and harmonious relationship between the built environment and the natural forest landscape. This design philosophy suggests an intent to provide a dwelling that feels integrated and responsive to its sylvan context, rather than merely placed within it. The details about the specific type of deciduous plywood or the exact structural elements of the frame technology are not explicitly mentioned beyond their general use. The article includes several images showcasing both the exterior and interior of the house. These illustrations depict the forest setting, various interior spaces such as the dining room and kitchen, and architectural details like windows, beams, and stairs. The photographs highlight the pervasive use of wood, its texture, and how it contributes to the overall ambiance of the house. The project is categorized under residential architecture and interior design, targeting readers interested in these fields, especially those keen on sustainable materials and designs that respond to their natural environment. The lead team for this project included Piotr Grabowski and Katarzyna Osipowicz-Grabowska from Studio GAB, with OYKA Studio responsible for the interior design. The location, Rosocha-Kolonia, Poland, further underscores the context of a forest dwelling. #ResidentialArchitecture #InteriorDesign #WoodConstruction #ForestHouse #PolishArchitecture #StudioGAB #PlywoodInteriors #ModernDesign #SustainableMaterials

This article highlights 20 distinct residential projects that exemplify the integration of indoor and outdoor living spaces, a highly sought-after feature for homeowners. The concept emphasizes maximizing space for entertainment and relaxation, providing harmonious connections with nature through elements like large windows, sliding glass doors, and open-plan layouts. These designs incorporate ample natural light, greenery, and picturesque views, transcending architectural boundaries across various settings, including modern country houses, chic city apartments, and luxurious beachfront villas. The article serves as an updated compilation of notable indoor-outdoor living designs. The featured homes showcase diverse approaches to this design philosophy. For instance, a Tropical Modernist Miami Home by Strang Design utilizes aluminum louvers and floor-to-ceiling pocket doors to create a fluid indoor-outdoor experience, tailored for a Brazilian family on an oak grove. Daniel Joseph Chenin's cinematic desert dwelling, Fort 137 in the Mojave Desert, draws inspiration from early Vegas settlements, using travertine floors and stucco ceilings to frame views of the arid landscape. In São Paulo, FCstudio's Casa Bento prioritizes outdoor living with a custom garden, firepit, and dipping pool, catering to a couple's desire for entertaining in a subtropical climate. Bobby Niven’s Scriptorium in Scotland, a tiny concrete structure for writer residencies, blends art with the environment, demonstrating how small spaces can also foster a connection to the outdoors. Thomas Melhorn's Florida home, inspired by Wabi-Sabi philosophy, integrates the design with its coastal surroundings, featuring a gently curved roof that mirrors the dunes and materials reflecting the local environment. Further examples include an equine-friendly oasis in Ecuador's Andes Mountains by Gabriel Rivera Arquitectos, which connects the home and stables, making some areas accessible to horses. Cini Boeri's vacation houses in Sardinia, resembling brutalist tents, are perched on a rocky shoreline, showcasing pioneering female architectural design that interacts with the rugged landscape. A serene home by Olson Kundig and Erica Colpitts Interior Design in North Vancouver, British Columbia, reimagines a mid-century structure to embrace the surrounding forest and rural British aesthetic. Hawk & Co.'s California coastal oasis features striking interiors and expansive views, with a design that nods to Napa Valley's rustic-industrial style. Pascali Semerdjian Architects' sustainable home in São Paulo incorporates extensive greenery and carefully curated interiors to reflect the city's modern style and connect with nature. The projects also include sculptural house designs by Standard Architecture in Los Angeles, which blend American vernacular architecture with modern pools and expansive oak interiors. T.K. Chu Design Group’s meditative home in Suzhou, China, integrates with the historic Couple Gardens through expansive windows and biomorphic furnishings. Aidlin Darling Design's soaring home on a Bay Area precipice is resolutely modern yet feels rooted in its rugged setting, designed to offer shelter from harsh elements. Zarysy's lake house in Poland reimagines the cabin aesthetic, drawing inspiration from its natural surroundings with raw materials and green forest hues. Laidlaw Schultz Architects’ Laguna Beach beauty offers contemporary intervention in a 1960s dwelling, maximizing Pacific Ocean views. Andreas Bründler transforms a 19th-century carriage house in Basel, Switzerland, into a family home with plenty of indoor-outdoor living spaces, framing views with a curved buttress and sliding glass walls. Another award-winning high desert retreat by Aidlin Darling Design in Coachella Valley is thoughtfully sited to preserve the boulder-strewn landscape. Abramson Architects and Magni Kalman Design's lush Beverly Hills abode features an expansive courtyard as its central heart. Studiohuerta’s residence in Cabo San Lucas works in concert with elements, using local materials and traditional building strategies for a modern sculptural form. Finally, Dylan Farrell Design's Sydney home renovation boldly stimulates the senses with quirky shapes, colors, and a dining room that opens to the outdoors, creating modern spaces for a young family. #IndoorOutdoorLiving #ResidentialDesign #ArchitecturalInnovation #SustainableDesign #ModernHomes #LuxuryRealEstate #LandscapeIntegration #InteriorDesignTrends #GlobalArchitecture

This article explores the aesthetic and functional benefits of timber mouldings, which are high-quality and affordable decorative elements available at Wickes. It highlights a comprehensive range of pre-cut interior timber mouldings, including skirting, architrave, dowels, and quadrants, designed to add elegance and character to any living space. The article emphasizes that these mouldings serve as perfect finishing touches, enhancing the visual appeal of walls, windows, and doors, and contributing to a cohesive interior design. It details various types of mouldings offered, such as wall panels, decorative mouldings, stripwood, beading, angle trim, dado and picture rails, quadrant mouldings, covers, skirting boards, scotia beading, and wooden dowels. Each category is briefly introduced, showcasing the diversity of options available to homeowners and DIY enthusiasts. The article positions these mouldings as easy to install, catering to both professional builders and individuals undertaking home improvement projects. It suggests that by incorporating these elements, homeowners can elevate the aesthetic of their interiors, creating a more refined and finished look. The availability of different styles ensures that there is a moulding solution to match various architectural preferences and interior design themes. The piece also provides practical advice, recommending that customers consider complementary products like paints and primers to achieve professional-grade results and complete their decoration projects. This guidance underscores the importance of a holistic approach to home renovation, where mouldings play a crucial role in tying together different design elements. The overall message is that these timber mouldings are not just decorative but also instrumental in adding a sophisticated and complete look to any room, offering both charm and structural definition to a home's interior. #HomeDecoration #InteriorDesign #TimberMouldings #DIYHomeImprovement #ArchitecturalDetails #WallPanels #SkirtingBoards #DecorativeElements

This lookbook explores eight distinct living room interiors, each featuring wood-clad ceilings that contribute to a sense of warmth and texture within the home. While wood is frequently utilized for flooring, its application on ceilings introduces rich hues and tactile qualities, fostering inviting and cozy living environments. The selection showcases a variety of timber types, including cedar, larch, and oak, and demonstrates diverse architectural approaches to integrating wooden ceilings. One example is the House in Serra, Portugal, designed by Cimbre, a single-storey residence in rural Portugal. Here, a vaulted ceiling, wrapped in warm-toned birch wood, contrasts with exposed concrete walls, creating an interplay of materials and aesthetics. A statement black metal fireplace further accentuates the living space. In Mexico, Estudio Cristina Grappin's Casa Quinto Sol features locally-sourced wood on its ceilings, complemented by cool-toned marble floors that extend throughout the interior and exterior, allowing coastal breezes to flow through large openings and connecting the home to the Pacific Ocean. Naturehumaine's Palissade in Québec, Canada, incorporates cedar planks on both ceilings and walls in its open-plan living space. This design choice aims to cultivate a warm and cozy atmosphere, enhanced by a pyramidal roof that draws natural light into the lakeside home. In East Sussex, England, Michael Kendrick Architects designed the Looking Glass Lodge, a holiday retreat where timber ceilings and birch plywood partition walls and cabinetry echo the surrounding forested landscape. GRT Architects undertook the renovation of the historic Rectory of St Thomas in Harlem, New York, transforming the derelict four-storey structure into a modern home. The living space within this conversion boasts reeded oak panelling and an oak-wrapped mezzanine library, adding historical elegance and warmth. Ménard Dworkind's Q8 Residence in Québec, Canada, features larch wood-clad ceilings in its partially-outdoor seating area, with a combination of cedar, larch, and pine woods used throughout to integrate the home with its forested site. Destudio's Ático Curvo penthouse in Valencia, Spain, showcases a minimalist interior with wood-clad ceilings in the open-plan living areas. This design provides a clean, contemporary aesthetic while maintaining a warm ambiance. Finally, Johan Sundberg Arkitektur's Yngsjö holiday home in southern Sweden, blends into its wooded surroundings through the use of natural materials. The interior features oak floors, trimmings, and carpentry, alongside larch ceilings, creating a harmonious and organic living space. #WoodCladCeilings #LivingRoomInteriors #HomeDesign #TimberArchitecture #InteriorDesign #CozyHomes #ArchitecturalDetails #ResidentialArchitecture #MaterialityInDesign