by Leona Gaita

Today we are once again joined by Leona Gaita, HomeWorkshop.com Interior Design Expert and Contributor. Leona shares with us her inspiring ideas and advice to help us enrich our homes and lives with beauty and elegance.

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There’s something afoot… An organic new trend… I wonder if the FCC knows about it! I wonder if your grandmother would approve! Wood furniture that’s STARK NAKED without a stitch of paint or stain, and barely a lick of wax or sealer! It’s out and about where decent people and young children can see it! It’s everywhere! It’s a scandal! …IT’S VERY FRESH!!

This look is popping up in every category from the most classic French traditional styles, to ultra modern and everything in between. The trend goes hand in hand with the green movement, and is an expression of a reverence for the beauty of the natural world.

I think it’s also a backlash against the extremely dark, almost black wood finishes that have been so popular. Starkly black being replaced with stark naked! That’s how the style pendulum swings.

Very often the classic French pieces are paired with undyed linen and other organic fabrics. This is the Antoinette Daybed from Zentique.

The Valencia Dining Chair from Shine Home is a classic Gothic Revival Wheelback chair, but the natural state of the wood gives it a modern twist.

From Bobo Intriguing Objects, their Church Console Table takes a traditional turned leg table, and makes it into something quite new with iron supports and a raw wood finish.

I love this Campaign Desk from Arteriors. Indeed, the washed out finish makes it look as if it’s been through a few wars. Very charming!

The Essex Dining Table from Shine Home has very up-to-the-minute geometric details in the leg design. That is a serious (very naked) slab of wood!

West Elm is in on the trend too with their Raw Wood Coffee Table. The naturally occurring high contrast in the wood grain gives this minimalistic piece all the ornamentation it needs.

Daphne Glass and Natural Wood Display Cabinet. I love the airy feel of this piece, which is enhanced by the natural wood finish.

From Arteriors, the Maning Six Light Natural Wood Chandelier. This piece looks very original and unique to me. Wood is not commonly used in chandeliers, let alone natural unfinished wood.

Can’t get more traditional than this French Bergere Chair from Zentique. They call it the Bastille Lounge Chair. So I guess if you’re in the Bastille, you don’t get stain on your furniture. Just wax! That’s your punishment!! But seriously folks, I think the natural look on this chair really sings.

The rugged unfinished wood combined with iron gives this piece from Design Workshop Incorporated an interesting industrial look. It’s a great piece for an urban kitchen.

Here are some fabulous naked wood accent pieces:

• Top left: Large Butterfly Joint Acacia Wood Stool by Roost
• Top Right: Spheres from the “Solid” collection at Mu Design & Living
• Bottom Left: Revival Home and Garden Casablanca 3-Drawer Chest
• Bottom Right: Sculpture from the “Solid” collection at Mu Design & Living

Whether it’s an elegantly curved and carved traditional Bergere chair, or an abstractly sculptured geometric table base, the beauty of natural, naked wood speaks for itself. In this high tech age of steel and plastics, it seems that wood, the most time honored, versatile and renewable furniture material in the world, has found a way to be cutting edge…yet again!

What do you think of this naked wood trend?
 

Leona Gaita has an infectious enthusiasm for interior design that she shares with us, with her clients and with the readers of her popular blog, Gaita Interiors.

With a lifelong involvement in the fine arts and design, Leona designs for Gaita Interiors, a staple of the local community for over 40 years, serving Larchmont, Westchester County and the New York metropolitan area.

All furnishings are available through Gaita Interiors (914) 834-8282.