23 Oct Texture Tuesday: Wood Inspiration

Amazing texture, shapes, and color in the simple bark of a tree.

I’m finding more and more that I derive textural inspiration from nature. I see texture in almost every thing I look at. But I know I’m really drawn to wood grain.  I grew up with many beautiful antiques in my parents’, and both sets of grandparents’, homes.  I remember that my father and stepmother used to go to flea markets and buy all sorts of unusual antiques.  I even received a nursing rocker for my birthday one time (not sure what that was all about at age 20 and single?!?). But the thing that stands out most in my memory is how we used to have “storage unit sales” within our family.  My siblings and I would draw a stick (to determine who got first pick) and we’d get a turn at selecting an antique that we’d like in our future home someday.  My father was quite detail oriented and had everything labeled. Ha, if only I were that organized!

A lovely antique mahogany caned chair I scored in the “storage unit sales”!

My appreciation for beautiful lemon-oiled wood –  from one grandparents bureau to another grandparents dining table – continues to inspire me.  In fact, I LOVE wood so much that when we remodeled our home and got recessed can lighting for the first time, I would sit on the steps to our family room and gaze at the beautiful antique cherry wood dining table at night in the soft dimmed light (wierd, I know!!).

Amazing strands of wooden circles dangling in this handcrafted chandelier; Red Dot art gallery in Maine

Look through your home and see what wood grains you have going on.  You can add style in so many ways to bring a diversity of textures to a modern or traditional home. From a simple caned side chair to an artist’s elaborate chandelier, different grains of wood add so much character. Even if your home is thoroughly modern, an oversize piece of driftwood might be just the item to add textural interest.  What textures inspire you today? XOPG

Large piece of driftwood on a beach in Maine