Interiors by Flack Studio
01. Timber panelling
At Chan & Eayrs’ Weavers House in Spitalifields, East London, oak has been used uniformly across the kitchen – in floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, the island, and the recesses and dados. The effect is gently cocooning, with the band-sawn finish adding textural interest and preventing the joinery from looking too flat and samey. Lime plaster on the walls adds to this feeling of gentleness.
02. Rattan inlay
Channeling a Japanese aesthetic, interior designer Tali Roth has added a woven inlay to the wardrobe doors in the master bedroom of this project in Chelsea, New York. The rich chocolate brown matches the colour of the timber itself, and the clothes inside are – just – visible inside, creating a little intrigue: “it makes the space so much more dynamic,” says Roth.
03. Fabric inlay
Creating an upholstered element within a joinery door is great for dampening acoustics as well as adding an element that contrasts with the timber. Akin Atelier created the interiors for this new-build coastal home south of Sydney, where the materials are a mix of welcoming warmth with lots of timber, exemplified by this walnut dressing room, and cooler concrete, marble and stone.
04. Solid timber
If you’ve sourced some timber with an interesting grain, then sometimes it’s best to let the material do all the talking. At Killcare House in New SouthWales by Decus Interiors, the vertical grain has been sensitively matched, creating a subtle rhythm across the run of doors, while a horizontal section at the bottom provides a contrasting dynamic, and slim handles don’t distract from the material beauty.
05. Fluted timber
A reeded or fluted finish is seriously trending – across all kinds of materials including glass, ceramic and marble and not just timber joinery. Go for an inset design such as the waxed oak one pictured for a more classic feel (designed byAlabama-based Dana Wolters), or wrap the entire face of a piece of cabinetry such as a kitchen island in this inviting texture for a more all-encompassing look.
06. Marble
The weight of natural stone used to mean that it was unsuitable for cabinet doors, but that is changing. Thinner veneers can now be wrapped around a structural panel, creating a seamless look that appears to be made from solid stone – it looks incredible when combined with the same material used as a worktop, for a monolithic appearance. This is still a weighty option, however, and the fittings need to be of exceptional quality to hold the door in place.
07. Curved
Bold, large-scale fluting evokes the decorating excesses of the 1970s, especially when it’s paired with bright colour and an out-there high-gloss finish. In this Melbourne project by Flack Studio, designer David Flack has picked out these a-green paint colour for the curved vanity from the statement marble tile; the flush drawer under the basin is a testament to the skill of the joiner.
08. Metal
Metal is hygienic, easy to maintain and can lend a luxe-industrial feel to joinery. Designer Tamsin Johnson packs a punch within a relatively small space in this Melbourne penthouse, mixing handle-free, brushed-steel cupboard fronts, shelving and extractor hood with opulent Calacatta viola marble on the walls: the kitchen was made by a local metal worker.
09. Fabric
Fora whimsical, rural look, a gathered curtain to conceal open shelving might be the way to go. In this Sussex cottage decorated by Beata Heuman, the striped fabric brings a softness and informality to the hard lines (and hard surfaces)it’s been paired with. Our tip? Opt for an outdoor-grade performance fabric for under-sink locations – water and stains will either bounce right off or can be dabbed away.
10. Paint
Nothing can switch up the mood of a room quicker than changing the paint colour, and painted cabinets can always straddle classic and contemporary interiors with ease. The trend now is for all-over colour, with the same shade used for doors and drawer-fronts as well as walls and woodwork – so the joinery almost melts into the walls. Ditch the ubiquitous forest green and dark blue for on-trend warmer shades: this Plain English kitchen is painted in Kipper, a smoky tone that sits somewhere between pink and orange.
Words by Emily Brooks
