Since moving into our new home (you can read more about that story here if you missed it), I’ve spent most of my time thinking about and focusing on all of the renovations we have ahead of us. I feel like my head has been spinning with ideas about it all for weeks now. Last week, I shared the spaces we’re planning to start renovating first and why (catch up with that here). With so work ahead of us here, it can feel pretty daunting sometimes. The truth is, I’ve found myself feeling overwhelmed more than I’d imagined I would and so, I thought it might help to remind myself of some of the many reasons that we love this house too. I put together a list of ten things we already love about this new/old house – they’re the things that truly make this house so special (aside from our history with it of course), the things that we will definitely be keeping and even highlighting as we work our way through the rest.
I don’t know, maybe it’s the nostalgia in me talking, but one of the things I’d really love to keep through our renovations is all of the oak throughout the entryway and study. Sure, it would look lovely with some updated trim, maybe even some wainscotting that’s been painted out to match and a beautiful modern iron railing – it would look beautiful. But honestly, I think it’s really quite pretty just the way it is. Wood always brings so much warmth to a space and, with the right paint colours, flooring and decor, I really think I can make this old honey oak look just as beautiful as anything new might have.
I know honey oak has long been on its way out in the design world, but oak itself is definitely having a moment right now, albeit in a tone that’s much less “orange” I’d say. I know I could strip and sand away the existing varnish that’s giving it that warmer colour and it would really help it all to feel more modern and in-line with current trends, but I’m not sure that’s what I’m looking for here. I really think that keeping it just as it’s always been would be the perfect way to honour the old tudor cottage feel of this house and really embrace the character within it that we love so much.
Like with any upcoming project – especially one that feels a little more out of the box (our old black exterior would be another great example of this!) – I found myself pausing to really dive into every photo that I crossed paths with that might support this. Keeping the honey oak was no different. For months I’ve been saving photos that inspire me to not jus keep the warm honey oak we have throughout these spaces, but highlight it in the best ways possible and today, I thought I’d share some of them with you. Not all of these are “honey oak” per se, but they all feature a warm wood trim that very much mimics the feel I’m looking for. Who knows, maybe scrolling through these beautiful photos will help you to find a love for honey oak again too.
An Argument in Favour of Honey Oak
What do you think? Are you convinced we should keep all that honey oak? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. I hope you found as much inspiration in these images as I did! These are some of my very favourite designers and creatives to follow, so be sure to click through to their Instagram accounts to see more and follow along with all of the beautiful images and design inspo they share there!
Don’t paint that beautiful wood.
Thanks Char! We’re definitely going to try to work it into our design plans. 🙂
We built our house in 1988 and splurged on oak woodwork through out the mail floor (instead of cheaper pine). I stained every piece including all the cabinets myself so there is a lot of love involved too. We chose a medium dark stain than the orangey one used in a lot of houses. I still love all my woodwork today. I cringe every time someone paints really beautiful wood. My painters told me they are now starting to try to strip some of the paint off cabinets they painted for people years ago to get them back to the oak wood.
I couldn’t agree more Deborah! I love the warmth that natural wood brings to a space and I think wood is definitely making a come back in the design world! I think that’s brilliant that you chose to go with oak in your own home (and especially that you had it stained a more timeless colour than the “honey” tones everyone else was doing at the time). I’m sure it helps to make your home feel warm & cozy!
Please, please KEEP the wonderful oak. It is beautiful! Eventually people will come to their senses and realize what a treasure it is. So sick of all white, so called “modern” decorating and design being imposed on gorgeous homes like yours. It is fine in certain spaces, but in my opinion, not on houses like yours. You have such a lovely home, full of amazing woodwork,- you will have so much fun decorating every unique room.
Keep the wood!! Trends come and go…keep the classic valuable beautiful wood!
Thank you Sandy! I couldn’t agree more!
Thanks so much Susan! I agree – wood adds so much warmth and character to a space and I definitely think it’s making it’s way back into our homes again (thank goodness!). I am excited to design our spaces around all of the beautiful features of this home, including the woodwork. Thanks again!
100% agree. I’ve been waiting for someone to say this exact thing! I went through a paint all wood white about 15 years ago and 2-3 years later started to see beauty and character in wood. And the warmth! I only would paint ugly wood now.
I couldn’t agree more Julie! I’ve painted a few wood furniture pieces over the years that I now find myself wishing I hadn’t. Such a shame that I didn’t see the warmth and character of the that beautiful wood. You live, you learn I guess. Thanks for sharing!