Make mine bleached

I have a love affair with wood, but I don't like the golden wood tones that come along with wood that is clear coated or lightly stained. Do I have lots of golden  wood tones in my home? 

 Yes, history looks after that because my home was built in the 80's when oak was the standard for hardwood floors and furniture. When all your furniture is handmade with love, it's difficult to get rid of it, so I accept my golden tones as period pieces.

 

As I've renovated  the upstairs portion of my home, I moved to natural maple flooring  which is about as warm as I can stand. This beautiful cardboard/ brown paper bag colour is very popular right now, and it is a warm tone that isn't too overwhelming.   The great hardware makes this chest look distinctive and sophisticated, but it's not mine!

 When I designed my summer home, my mantra was think driftwood.  Everything there is new, but looks bleached and old!

 There are alternatives for people like me - naturally weathered wood, bleached wood, wood that has whitewashes or gray washes. These tones seem to go so much better with today's modern interiors.  Let's explore the options....

When you make your own furniture you have more options to get the look you want. This new bed made from oak doesn't have a hint of yellow or orange in sight.  I controlled the warm tones by using a  greenish grayish wash before the final semi gloss clear coat.  The  old mid century modern dresser was stripped and treated in the same way,  but I rubbed more of the wash off  so the two pieces didn't look like a perfect match -  I like harmony  with  variety.

The Designer Inside 

This is another example of a washed gray finish that allows the wood grain and imperfections in the wood  to shine through. While it is more traditional in design, the overall look of  this piece  would allow you to use it in most rooms. Give chests like this a chance in your  bedroom, bathroom,  hallway, foyer or living room .

 

The Designer Inside 

 This traditionally designed sideboard  made from mango wood  could be used in any room decor.  Mango wood is a hard, dense wood that has been seasoned and kiln dried. If left unfinished it has  hues of green brown and yellow which can be interesting .   Because mango  is quick growing,  hard and harvested after the tree has stopped giving fruit, it is  considered the wood of the future.

 

 Atlanta Interior Designer Global Living

 I'm in love with the cool tones in this room, buy I would like to see a little more variety in the various wood tones used.  The bench could easily be removed and then the sideboard which is beautiful, could shine.

Traditional Hall design by Orange County Design-build Spinnaker Development

 Everything here is light and airy. The floors seem to go on forever.   It is truly  a room that would let you breathe. If I built a new home this would be my floor choice.

 Random House

White always looks so fresh when paired with bleached or toned wood.  You have to be careful when you choose lighter woods because they are easily overwhelmed by stronger colours. 

How do you feel about bleached, washed or otherwise light woods?