I'll never shy away from a warm, rustic design scheme, but up until recently, I was more inclined to use organic materials in moderation. Perhaps I was a little too worried about reviving kitschy '70s aesthetics, but I only ever used wood and natural textures with restraint.
After stumbling across a snapshot of Dakota Johnson's wood-paneled dining area, however, I can say with confidence that my mind has been changed. Forget cliches or retro kitsch: warm wood panels are completely transformative in Dakota's LA home. They bring instant warmth – not to mention plenty of mid-century modern flair – to the space, which was designed by Pierce & Ward.
If, like me, you're keen to learn about how to make the 'wood drenching' trend work in your home, I've asked designers to tell all. (And I've pulled together a Dakota-inspired shopping edit, if you'd like to recreate this gorgeous look.)
Shop the Dakota-Inspired Dining Room Edit
If wood-drenched walls aren't an option in your space, you can always recreate Dakota's look using handsome accent pieces like this table. I love the gently curved silhouette.
This hardwood table is simple and yet sophisticated. It's the perfect way to spotlight organic materials in your dining room, without committing to a total redesign.
Bring nature-inspired chic to your sideboard or drinks table with this wood serving tray. It's ideal for entertaining, but you can also use it as a decor piece by styling it up with candles and framed photos.
Dakota layers up natural materials in her space using pieces like a rattan lamp, and this one is complete with a curved wood base that would perfectly complement a nature-inspired design scheme.
The wood panels might steal the show in Dakota's dining room, but I'm also swooning over her gorgeous glass dining table. This one combines glass with rich wood for a unique finish.
The easiest way to experiment with materials is to pick up a few decor pieces like this vase. I'd add plenty of fresh foliage to really enhance that fresh, organic feel.
Dakota's space made me realize that paint colors aren't the only way to bring richness and intimacy to a space – materials like wood can have the same effect.
In fact, wood doesn't just offer the warmth of a brown paint color or a neutral taupe hue; it also helps to anchor a space by harnessing the power of nature-inspired design. We're all familiar with the benefits of 'bringing the outside in', but wood drenching can truly ground a room.
It can be difficult to achieve depth and dimension in a space as expansive and airy as Dakota's, but this is where texture becomes crucial – and the wood panels become far more than a stylistic choice.
Rather than simply introducing an unexpected visual element, wood prevents the large room from feeling one-dimensional. Showcasing plenty of textural variation, the panels encourage you to really take in the entire space. It's a simple trick, but it works wonders.
Although Dakota 'drenches' her dining room wall, the ceiling slats are painted a breezy white, and the sleek concrete floors are on full display. This certainly opens up the space, but it could risk feeling a little jarring, and at worst, hampering that gorgeous mid-century modern look. Again, however, texture is key – and layering is essential.
The warm wood panels serve as a handsome backdrop, but Dakota maintains a feeling of cohesion and intentionality by adding more organic elements throughout the space. Her sleek wood sideboard is the perfect example; it almost blends in with the wood paneling, but it offers enough variation in shape and color to bring instant depth to the room.
Careful styling is paramount: Dakota ties everything together using a sleek glass dining table, pale wood chairs, and a particularly show-stopping rattan lamp. Each of these elements honors the nature-inspired, mid-century vibe of the room, without feeling ornamental or overly-stylized.
Ultimately, wood works incredibly hard in a space like this one. It brings a feeling of intimacy and warmth, but its natural texture also ensures that the room still feels dynamic and full of character.
'Horizontal wood paneling wraps around walls in a way that doesn't feel boxy – it feels like a warm embrace,' explains architect Mark Holmquist. 'And in Dakota's home, the white-painted beams overhead add a quiet rhythm without overwhelming the space.'
It's important to note that design duo Pierce and Ward don't rely simply on the wood walls to create that nature-inspired look; instead, they use thoughtful stylistic choices to ensure that the room harmonizes with the landscape outside.
'Earthy tones pull the landscape seen through the huge plate glass windows right into the house's interior,' says Mark, 'while textures mirror the materiality of nature. It's clear that this house is deeply connected to the organic world outside.'
I might have been wary about '70s clichés, but Dakota's home is a masterclass in mid-century modern design. With intention and careful layering, materials like wood can become the beating heart of a space – and honor its surroundings, too.
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