What happens when an NFL legend merges with an icon of the design industry? We get Tom Brady's wooden kitchen – featuring natural, unpained cabinets that experts are calling the most timeless aesthetic of all.
Brady, who paired his wooden kitchen cabinets with a white marble backsplash and countertops (a material that is equally adored for its agelessness), has designed a space that, H&G's editor Jennifer Ebert says will look just as beautiful 'in the next century.' With this in mind, it perhaps seems unfair to label wooden cabinets as a 'kitchen trend' (as this label may imply its appeal is only fleeting); however, it's hard to argue that 2024 is the year our kitchens return to the natural world.
Al Bruce, the founder of Olive & Barr, notes that wood kitchens have experienced a resurgence in recent years, with the use of natural materials becoming increasingly celebrated and sought after in interior design. This 2024, the 'trend' has never felt quite so prominent. 'Investing in a wood kitchen offers timeless appeal and remarkable versatility, seamlessly fitting into both contemporary and traditional homes.' Bruce notes.
And Tom Brady is in good company. We've also recently seen the likes of Zendaya, Jennifer Aniston, and Matthew and Camila McConaughey experiment with raw wooden cabinets in their homes – and every time, designers say the same thing: their look is designed to last.
In Brady's space, he has chosen solid wooden doors and marble countertops; however, doing the opposite (using wooden countertops with other materials on the cabinets) is just as powerful.
'To add balance to an all-wood design, consider incorporating reeded glass-fronted cabinets; this not only provides a break in a run of solid fronted doors but reflects light and adds a modern touch to a traditional design,' Bruce says. 'White quartz countertops add further contrast, highlighting the natural beauty of the oak.'
Alternatively, we can take the wood to our kitchen island – for the ultimate focal point.
'If you prefer adding touches of wood to your design rather than the full cabinetry, consider incorporating ash wood into a specific part of the kitchen, such as the island. Pair with cabinetry in a neutral tone to highlight the natural grain of the wood, allowing it to take center stage.'
Shop the wooden kitchen edit
Cabinets aside, we can incorporate some wooden accents with these handpicked accessories below.
