It’s back on trend for 2023! How dark wood became the star of the show in this modern rustic retreat
The husband and wife team of interior designer Joshua Smith and architect David Gerbitz transformed this Hollywood Hills home from the 1930s into a tranquil sanctuary.
This Spanish Colonial home’s interior and exterior doors have a charming patina that evokes a bygone era. Woodworking is a wood form in and of itself. Whether old or new, light or dark, timber’s natural warmth and texture make it a welcome addition to any space. Wood has long been a staple of the rural house for its timeless and natural beauty, but it is now used in urban settings with stunning results.
Architect Joshua Smith runs the design firm Inc. Joshua is convinced of the need to balance one’s inner world of body, mind, and spirit through interior design when creating a healing house. The couple wanted the house to seem airy and peaceful, so they chose a neutral color scheme and soft, inviting textures. Natural materials are always a safe bet when it comes to the design of a room, and timber is an excellent option for modern homes because of its design and longevity.
According to Joshua, “our homes are our sanctuaries, where we have more control over the events and energy that transpire within them.” Thus, we must consider the kinds of stuff we use to build our houses.
Joshua’s skill in fusing styles is fully displayed throughout the house, with antique furniture next to contemporary artwork and ornate plaster ceilings next to rustic wood accents.
Numerous cutting-edge processes have given timber a new lease on life, reviving a time-honored material and making it a hot commodity in the present day. Here are some of Joshua’s most notable innovations if you’re looking for new methods to employ wood in your furniture.
LIVING ROOM
A picture window and French doors let in plenty of natural light, making the living room more extensive and open.
Soft, breezy fabrics were used to cover the seats, evoking the feel of a traditional California home. A Swedish table and a brass table from the 1960s provide a furniture touch to the room.
KITCHEN
The kitchen, with its oak cabinets, is kept light and airy with gentle white cabinetry and marble kitchen counters, in keeping with the modern feel of the rest of the house. This fantastical plan is white and fascinating. This one-of-a-kind style results from blending rustic timber with ultra-modern marble accents.
DINING ROOM
The 1860s dining table and ornate gilded mirror are the crowning touches in the elegant dining room.
The dark wood floors and light-neutral sofas and chairs provide a soothing, modern atmosphere, while the coffered ceiling displays the room’s beautiful structure and architecture.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
The primary bedroom is decked out in natural woven textures for maximum coziness, and the dark wood found throughout the rest of the bedroom also makes a small but noticeable appearance there.
PRIMARY BATHROOM
Unlike the rest of the room, wood is conspicuously absent from the bathroom; other nods to nature can be found in seagrass, rattan, and foliage. The primary bathroom is made more intimate with the addition of a classic console sink.
GARDEN
Finally, a gorgeous pool surrounded by terracotta brick and elegant sun loungers makes it possible to rest outdoors in a near-Mediterranean fashion.
