After I was speaking to Mal and Gretch about this beautiful house I’m about to point out you, they joked that it was just like the darkish aspect of the California informal fashion. All of us laughed however then I assumed, “That’s really fairly spot on!” It’s natural and textured with a variety of cool classic pottery. It has that very same earthy vibe {that a} conventional California Informal house has…simply darker:) Now, this isn’t the primary time we’ve talked in regards to the gaining reputation of darker woods. Kitchens have been the room the place this “pattern” has actually taken off however the ever-talented, Kirsten Blazek of A 1000x Higher, reveals how unbelievably trendy but smooth this richer-toned wooden might be and the way it may be utilized in different kinds of areas. Enjoyable truth! That is her bestie’s house:) Oh and if you happen to haven’t picked up her new ebook, A 1000 X Higher: A Insurgent by Design, which isn’t solely good as a decor piece however has so many nice tips about how one can design extra sustainably! Okay, however again to this house. Let’s get into why this darkish wooden works so fantastically.
Clear Traces Blended With A LOT Of Wooden Grain
My god this shot is gorgeous! So if you lean into utilizing a variety of traces in a design you wish to watch out it doesn’t really feel too trendy or too stylish (until that’s the look you need). What Kirsten did right here to offset that was not solely to herald giant customized items with some 70s-inspired curves however to decide on wooden with a grain that had probably the most stunning motion.
I may stare at it for days! This wood-on-wood customized millwork is completely jaw-dropping. Additionally notice that many of the decor items are darker, with just a few contrasting items, to let your eye be comfortable and absorb all the components.
Repetitive Shapes
One other superior design alternative she made was utilizing the identical form and magnificence of the desk base because the shelf brackets.
Deliberately repeating components, like shapes, in any design is nice however right here it helps to nail the classic design fashion and steers it far-off from “pattern”. These are additionally an ideal distinction/break from the traces on the partitions.
Letting In Some Gentle
One other means I really feel this house works so properly is that we now have a few partitions with out cladding or heavy darkish wooden. It helps give the room just a little little bit of airiness/adverse house. This additionally offers it that extra informal vibe that the “California Informal” fashion is all about.
Mixing Supplies
We love some materials selection and this inexperienced tile and terrazzo flooring are the dream duo for this 70s design. That wealthy inexperienced sq. tile (controversial because of grout traces, I do know) is so good my coronary heart hurts. It’s moody, goes fantastically with walnut wooden (it’s nature indoors!), and bounces the sunshine round so the entire house feels a bit lighter.
Additionally, please notice the selection to have a pony wall to not solely expose the wooden paneling on the again wall nevertheless it’s the right framed second for that piece of artwork and wildly cool pendant for an superior view from the workplace.
Talking of lighting, even the mirror scones have a contact of wooden. Refined but natural and so good.
Natural Decor
As I hinted at earlier than, one other nice solution to improve the moody vibe is to decide on decor items which have a textured, darker colour palette. And for this design, it made much more sense to lean arduous into MCM pottery and textured oil work since that was the time interval these areas have been impressed by!
P.S. That slated pocket door is perfection.
I simply went to an unimaginable flea market with one of the best MCM ceramics so I picked up a few items for myself. They will work with any fashion and visually add soul to a room. I may be biased:) I imply take a look at how cool this brown ceramic disc seems above the laundry room sink! As a result of it’s tone on tone with the wooden it’s like a particular shock that provides on the spot depth.
Right here the opposite view from the laundry room:)
A Trace Of Whimsy
One other nice solution to stability out a closely linear design is so as to add some daring whimsy. I like that she selected this, at first, unassuming fairly foliage wallpaper. However you then see the eyes! It’s so enjoyable and surprising in addition to provides a gorgeous distinction in fashion to the wooden. I additionally love that it’s on the ceiling too:)
I’m a eternally fan of Kirsten and hope y’all are impressed by her, her ebook (acquired get it!), and really feel extra assured in utilizing darker woods if you happen to’ve been fascinated about it.
Love you, imply it.
*Design by A 1000x Higher
**Photographs by Michael P.H. Clifford