southern california home and outdoor
Laguna Niguel resident Danny Lidwin likes to live in the dark. The 38-year-old medical supply rep recently replaced all the light wood. cabinets, walls and flooring in his 1980s, two-level condominium with darker, richer shades.
"In my house before this one, I did the same thing," he says. "This place was whiter than white and I needed a change. I like the darker woods because they tend to give a home a more relaxed, tranquil ambiance."
Lidwin replaced his kitchen cabinets with top-of-the-line maple and later had it stained darker. "I've done the entire house from the cabinets to built-in media units to installing dark, Marabou flooring through out - it's something that works great for me. I added some rugs and vibrant-colored accent pieces for a total look."
Lidwin isn't the only homeowner opting for darker woods, once considered as out dated as the dodo bird. It appears that many homeowners are jumping on the same bandwagon. According to Orange County architect Ted Wells (tedwells.com), the popular choices in dark woods include dark cherry, mahogany and walnut, all comparable in price to high-quality maple, a lighter wood.
Just one walk through a furniture store and you'll see for yourself how dark woods have made a comeback. Pottery Barn, Z Gallery, Restoration Hardware, West Elm, Room & Board are some of the more trendy stores that carry furnishings in darker woods. Even established companies such as Ethan Allen and La-Z-Boy have added contemporary, darker pieces to their collections. Price points vary from store to store, so there is something from everyone.
Why go dark?
Orange County designer Kelli Ellis, the on-camera designer of the popular TV show "Clean Sweep" on TLC and owner of Kelli Ellis Interiors Inc., says she has converted many homes from light to dark.
"I believe the reason behind the change goes a bit deeper than being just a mere trend," she says. "It's no coincidence that home styles and lifestyles have merged. With a growing majority of homeowners working from home and telecommuting, we have seen a real need to streamline our home offices and living spaces. Darker woods tend to give a richer, homey feel."
This resurgence of incorporating darker woods is something that is here to stay, at least that's what designers like Ellis believe.
"For those who appreciate antiques, rich wood floors and deep color, there was no place for minimalist furnishings. Now, we can get the best of both worlds with rich, dark woods and the clean lines that reflect our modem lifestyles," Ellis says.
Ellis reports that dark woods are mostly being requested in offices and kitchens, both of which tend to be the two main pulse-points of the home.
''The beauty of dark wood is that it matches nicely with the trendy, stainless silver or platinum finishes. And, of course, gold tones, if you're traditional. Dark stains are timeless and used on almost all antiques."
Is it for you?
. Ellis says another reason to go dark is because it can balance any room.
"It's almost a subconscious reaction to want to bring an earthy, natural element back into our homes to balance the cold, sterile feel of the components we've made necessary in our lives," she says.
Most clients have caught the dark wood/stain bug because they have either seen a showroom or a model home with dark woods featured in the design and like what they saw, Ellis says.
After deciding that dark wood is the way to go for you, the next step is to slowly make the transition by figuring out what items stay and which go. "Then, choose tones and hues that match those existing pieces. If no existing dark wood pieces will be incorporated into the new design, any thing goes," she says.
In Rancho Bernardo, Coleen Choisser of Anna Rode' Designs, Inc. (annarod edesigns.com) says that the allure of dark woods carries into the San Diego area. "It's a change, and people need change. Dark woods have never gone out of style in the East:' she says. "Now, they are being used more and more in the West, mainly to pro vide a new look."
Choisser says homeowners are incorporating dark wood in areas such as kitchens and media rooms, home offices and libraries.
Bottom line
The transition from light wood to dark wood can either be a simple affair or a very daunting one, depending on the project. Deciding to go dark depends on whether you follow trends or beat to your own drum. As Ellis points out: "Homeowners need to realize that they have to do what feels right to them, not follow trends. It's always nice to make a change in our living spaces. Most of us accomplish that by purchasing new throw pillows or changing a rug. But when we you are considering costly changes, do your research." She suggests visiting as many kitchens, bathrooms and offices as you can. Tour model homes, visit friends who have remodeled or peruse home-decorating magazines. Like anything that will take time and money, do your homework first. It's ironic, but when you're converting your home from light to dark wood, the last thing you want is to be in the dark about it. H&O
Debbie L Sklar of Laguna Niguel is a regular Contributor to Southern California Home and Outdoor Magazine.
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