When I posted about Hilary Swanks New York apartment and her wall of wood last week it received a lot of comments.  It wasn’t the Calvin Klein furniture, the classy black and white photographs or the plush soft furnishings that got you all going, but the rough-hewn planks of reclaimed barn wood!

Desire to Inspire

It seems that utilitarian, solid, honest materials tick a lot of boxes at the moment.  It feels right to re-use and re-cycle in times of austerity and it makes us feel that we are all doing just a teeny bit to save our planet. 

Dwell

But organic materials, especially wood are also undeniably beautiful.  Whether they are used in a rustic, urban or contemporary setting, they add texture and warmth, and just the right amount of edginess.

Inspired Spaces

You don’t have to leave them in their natural state either.  Painted white, they still retain a rustic charm but without the log cabin effect.  Added bonus?  You can add a pair of antlers without it looking like a cliché.

Decor pad

Add metal and chain mail and marble and the effect is more of an enchanted palace.

Houzz

And sometimes the less you do to them the better.  The different blues in this bathroom are the result of layer upon layer of paint added over the years and weathered to just the right degree of distressed shabbiness.

Little Blue Deer

Design Sponge

How cosy is this bedroom?  Don’t you just want to snuggle up under the blankets with a cup of hot chocolate?

Whitedriftwood Tumblr

Desire to Inspire

So enduring.  Built to last and it will only improve with age.

Do you like it?