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Design Dilemma: Wood Cabinet Options

Transitional Kitchen by Portland Architects & Building Designers Howells Architecture + Design, LLC

It’s true that painted cabinets have been the fashion of the last few years. But let’s face it, wood cabinets are a keeper and will always remain a mainstay in kitchen cabinetry, even after the painted look has come and gone. There are a couple of reasons for that. For one, unpainted wood doesn’t show the chips and stains that painted wood can over time. And it’s amazing how adaptable unpainted wooden cabinets actually are, able to move from modern to rustic to traditional looks with ease. Let’s take a look:

Modern

Contemporary Kitchen by Austin Architects & Building Designers Loop Design

In the kitchen above, homeowners achieved a very modern, casual and cheery look by pairing light pecan cabinets with a lime green wall and acqua kitchen island. Countertops are a gray Caesarstone. Wood has a way of pairing well with color, as it can prevent bright colors from overpowering. Light- to medium-tone wood cabinets work best with tropical colors like these, but if you’ve got dark wood cabinets and want to try this look, go a shade or two deeper with the wall color.

Contemporary Kitchen by St. Thomas Kitchen & Bath Designers Braam’s Custom Cabinets

Above, another take on the modern look. This homeowner has combined Mahogany wood cabinets with accent cabinets made of Imbuia, otherwise known as Brazilian Walnut. The look is sophisticated, sleek and utterly simple. Countertops are kept a basic off-white, as are walls. The two kitchens above show how unpainted wood doesn’t have to look “rustic.”

Industrial

Unpainted wood can be a natural in industrial kitchens, as the wood is a warm counterpoint to cold surfaces like stainless steel, which are usually prominent in an industrial kitchen.

The kitchen below has elements of different styles, including rustic, modern and industrial. Notice how the light wood brings all these elements together with great ease, combining well with stainless steel as well as the painted cabinetry with pulls that have more of a rustic feel.

Modern Kitchen

In the industrial kitchen below, dark wood holds it own when combined with exposed brick walls and industrial lighting built of pipes and exposed light bulbs. Again, wood has just enough gravitas to seem fitting in such a setting, but it always feels welcoming.

Industrial Dining Room by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Muratore Construction + Design

And who says wood is only appropriate for cabinets in the kitchen? In the kitchen below, warm wood shelving and countertops mix perfectly above stainless steel cabinetry.

Industrial Kitchen by New York Architects & Building Designers Jane Kim Design

The industrial kitchen below, this time from Barcelona, Spain, uses salvaged wood on both the cabinetry and dining table. A small refrigerator is integrated into the cabinet at the end of the workspace. A cupboard behind the glass and bamboo partition holds another larger refrigerator and freezer combo.

Modern Kitchen by Other Metro Architects & Building Designers Egue y seta

Here’s another view below.

Contemporary Kitchen by Other Metro Architects & Building Designers Egue y seta

Transitional

In the Maryland kitchen below, a clean modern vibe stays clean, but never veers too much away from the traditional. The dark wood works particularly well in this context.

Contemporary Kitchen by Bethesda Kitchen & Bath Remodelers Case Design/Remodeling, Inc.

Retro 70s

The Australian kitchen below looks like it came straight out of the set of The Brady Bunch. The only thing missing is housekeeper Alice! And yet, there’s something of a contemporary vibe going here too. The sleek unpainted wood looks fabulous.

Contemporary Kitchen by Sydney Architects & Building Designers Melocco and Moore Architects

Rustic/Beachy

Did someone say beachy? Wood can do beachy! Below, unpainted light oak island combines wonderfully with wood cladding of the sort used on ships, which has been appropriated for the wall in back of the stove and countertop in this beach house.

Beach Style Kitchen by Atlanta Interior Designers & Decorators Yvonne McFadden LLC

Have we convinced you yet? If you are considering a kitchen remodel but had discarded the idea of using unpainted wood in favor of lacquered or enameled painted cabinetry, think again! Wood is warm, versatile, easy-to-maintain, and likely to stay in style for far longer than other options.

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A Japanese Style Stone and Steel House Floats Atop a Cliff

South African interior designers and architects GASS Architecture designed the Westcliff Pavilion project in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The house is raised above the ground.

Stone harvested on the site itself is used in the structure.

In a mind-bending twist this stone wall also “floats.”

The elegant, timeless aesthetic has a zen touch to it.

A bath tucked right in the wide open window is like the garden-access bath room in a traditional Japanese home.

The Japanese effect also comes from the modular proportions of the black steel framing.

The cliff-top site offers a uniquely private, tranquil hiding place in the trees at the ridge.

Steel framing was chosen to touch the ridge as lightly as possible.

The result is a simple and elegant contemporary home that feels like it floats within its wooded tree canopy – while enjoying magnificent views over the city of Johannesburg.

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