Stratford-upon-Avon is recognisable for its timber structured buildings of old, but, with wood appearing in homes once more, Mr and Mrs Clarke turn to timber thoughts for design inspiration.
Credit: Rachel Ghent.
Stratford-upon-Avon has a recognisable face. That face is not in fact, Shakespeare’s world-renowned side profile (ruffled collar and all), but that of its
Tudor lined streets and timber fronted homes, lodges and inns.
Credit: Michael Franke.
The medieval market town oozes old-world charm and taps into our love of stone and timber built properties.
Now, it is not only the exterior that is benefiting from the rough luxe nature of wood. We’ve made a return to timber in new and exciting ways on the interior of our homes, and it is fascinating to see how we now embrace this natural material, inside.
Stripping back to reveal the beauty of the original beams or cladding in silvery panels, choosing oak internal doors or even returning to that love of timber-framed windows, reconnecting with natural materials has never been more important, as we approach it with an appreciation of sustainability and a commitment to designing our homes for the future.
From herringbone floors to raw wood topped tables and kitchen cupboard doors (thank you Naked Kitchens for your beautiful brushed limed grain – you can see over at Everthorpe Road) we use wood in these ways to bring warmth and naturalistic elements in our homes.
Wood is a mood
Wood detailing on the interior is not just limited to rustic cabins and barn conversions, with swooping beams overhead and clad walls from head to toe. Where flooring is concerned, we’ve never seen so many embrace the stripped back, original beauty of wooden flooring. Brands such as Harvey Maria, Junckers, Kahrs and Karndean are providing us all with flooring lust, creating endless parquet patterns depending on your layout and overall style vibe. For the real deal, many have lifted the carpet to reveal the beauty of old and why not? If you’ve got it, flaunt it! Tedd Todd is a brand that knows the value of the real stuff and its antique flooring options are to die for.
Clad is not a fad
The Farm in Snitterfield has embraced all things woody and natural in its beautiful farm shop and deli. Just walking through, the wood clad walls create that welcome sense of place, with plenty of rustic touches that play to its original location. Interior cladding in the home has also piqued our interest, offering a more rustic vibe or simply sharing a stylish solution to an otherwise simple space in the home. Think Scandi sauna-esque with a great textured touch to interiors. It doesn’t stop behind closed doors as we’re seeing more and more homes opt for external wood cladding to soften the edges, up the eco status and add a more earthy touch to the exterior of our homes. Studio Spicer, the Stratford-upon-Avon based architecture firm is busy working on a plethora of projects, but one such revisited spot on their grid details the beautiful silver birch cladding through yonder skylight – Shakespeare got the better of us there.
Credit: Natalia Miyar.
Furniture feels
For an update in the home with a natural wood finish, Superfront, the super duper cabinetry frontage frontiers have seriously delivered with the Wood Collection x Japandi. The brand’s work involves a bit of upcycling, which we love, and hear uses beautiful textured wood to evoke elements from nature in the home. For more inspo, Kelly Wearstler and Natalia Miyar are the designers are the forefront of textural design. Kelly’s hospitality projects (for some serious wanderlust) always strike a chord – she’s the master of natural craft, layered and homely, while still extra to the bones. If you’re ever hoping on a plane to the US, Santa Monica Proper Hotel is a vision to behold.
Credit: Natalia Miyar.
Timber touches
Often, timber frame windows and doors are considered the refrain of period properties, shallow ceiling cottages and crooked staircase galore. Now, we love those original details, for which many of our houses are stuffed full of, but there is also so much opportunity in modern home design to play with different woods. Designer Natalia Miyar shows us all how it’s done with chunky, rustic interior timber doors, architraves and skirting. The only question is, how bold are you with your paired ironmongery?
Credit: Unsplash.
Credit: Natalia Miyar.
Inspiration is everywhere
Not ready to embrace the natural look just yet? Take inspiration from everywhere you can and soak up the many ways it adds a richness to its surroundings. Stratford’s homes are one example but have you also spotted Paul Cocksedge’s benches at Kew Gardens? Please Be Seated (we love the name) is an installation by the architectural designer, playing with wood in a rippling wave – an unexpected form for a usually linear material. For something closer to home (for those in the Warwickshire region) the Vitsoe building is a force to behold. Yes it’s a production facility but have you seen it? A shed style production hub and headquarters that demonstrates the power and value of wood when used cleverly in design.
The exterior of Stratford’s streets might be reflective of a world gone by, Shakespeare’s stomping ground, but our interiors are now moving ever-more to embrace all that is wonderful about timber (responsibly sourced of course) and the ways we can incorporate it into our home design.
To talk all things homes and moving in Stratford-upon-Avon, contact Emma Da Silva.
Mr & Mrs Clarke’s timber
Some example of MMC homes which showcase the beautiful material.
Old Ford Road plethora of timber and finishes.
Long Barn and it’s timber fireplace extravaganza.
Burnt Cottage with timber on all four sides.
