Caxton magazines staffAdd contemporary accents to classic spaces by using wood in these clever ways
AS A HEADBOARD
Instead of a traditional headboard, French oak cladding was used behind this bed to add a contemporary feel to the classic decor. “If you want to do something similar, use engineered timber panels rather than solid wood, as wood expands and contracts according to the temperature,” says interior architectural designer Cara Slater-Middlewick.
AS SHELVING
Resembling a piece of sculpture, this ‘Pick Up Sticks’ shelf by local furniture designer James Mudge is right at home in this industrial-style Cape Town house. “The warmth of the wood contrasts beautifully against the concrete walls,” says interior designer Marcelle Crowther of Hocus Interior Design Studio. “It’s contemporary yet timeless.”
AS WALL CLADDING
To update an old-fashioned bar, Durban designer Marian Nazar painted the counter and the wall-mounted shelf a glossy white. She enhanced the whole effect by covering the wall behind in timber cladding.
AS A HAND RAIL
Vertical timber slats make a stylish alternative to a hand rail and add a striking feature to staircases. This one was designed by Cara Slater-Middlewick.
AS A COUNTER FINISH
“Timber is neutral without being boring,” says Cara Slater-Middlewick, who used horizontal cladding on the side of this kitchen counter. “It’s eco-friendly and was more cost effective to use a veneer rather than solid timber in this instance.”
