STORY BY VIRGINIA BESHEARS, PHOTO BY JULIE KWAK
I’m a strong believer in having at least a bit of natural wood in every room.
No matter your aesthetic, natural wood makes spaces feel more collected, lived-in, and inviting. Even just a few small wood accents can bring a space to life with warm tones and beautiful, organic grain. It can bring warmth and character into a minimalist space, or it can bring a bit of neutrality into a maximalist space. Plus, between the incredible variety in kinds of wood and the finishes you can choose, there is no limit to its versatility.
Below are ORC projects that show how natural wood can elevate every space.
OUR WOOD ACCENT PICKS
Olaniyi and her husband tackled bringing fresh style and functionality to this space completely DIY, and the finished project has to be a contender for the world’s swankiest basement.
Just as it takes skill to be on the cutting edge of design, it’s no small feat to create a space that blends classic and current, and we think the following 22 rooms are phenomenal examples.
Some homes have a charm you can’t replicate, and Laurie’s vintage Vermont farmhouse is one of them. Her challenge now was to finish renovating the kitchen and breathe new life into the space, without sacrificing any of its historic character.
When it comes to architectural detail in your home, there are a number of key terms you’ll encounter, many of which can be a bit mystifying (looking at you, wainscoting).
A crash course on knowing whether or not that FB Marketplace gem is salvageable, if it's worth the time, and where to begin.
When you think of “warm colors” vs “cool colors,” chances are you imagine a color wheel that’s split in half, with warm colors on one side and cool on the other. End of story, right?
Tracey turned an uninspired laundry room into a gorgeous green space where working on laundry would put anyone in a fantastic mood.
Pattern is absolutely everywhere. Materials like wood and marble technically have a pattern, so even the most devout minimalist still has to balance and mix patterns in their home.
Galley kitchens get a bad rap for being cramped and impractical, but this one is proof that a carefully planned and well designed galley kitchen can be just as gorgeous and functional as other layouts.
Have you ever wondered what other DIYers are listening to while they tackle their latest projects? Team ORC recently launched an extensive research study (a few polls on our Instagram story).
Although Tracy’s (@4009decorates) 11-year-old son’s bedroom was already fantastic, it had a kid-like, playful vibe that he had outgrown. Micah expressed his desire for a more grown-up room that reflected his current interests and personality, or, more specifically, hunting lodge themed decoration and "cool old stuff" (aka vintage finds).
While we may not rely on these cutouts to keep our butter fresh, they still add heaps of charm and whimsy to cabinet fronts.
First time ORCer Mary (@whiskandkeyhome) tackled a very familiar problem during the spring ‘24 event—an uninspiring home office gathering clutter due to lack of storage space.
Husband & wife DIY duo Norman and Iesha set out to clean the dryer vent and ended up with what are quite possibly the world’s most beautiful stock cabinets.
Have you ever happened upon a DIY video while scrolling through your social media feed, and felt a sudden urge to start tackling a new project in your home? Research has shown that watching our peers DIY on social media is like a lightbulb moment.
While her music room was already lovely, Xin was ready to give the space another pass now that she’s a seasoned DIYer.