London Townhouse published in THE SPACES

"Wood slats are everywhere. Why are designers such fans?"

"We’ve pulled together some extraordinary applications."

"Warm, natural, sustainable. As far as building materials go, timber has a lot to offer. One thing it doesn’t always boast, however, is the impression of movement. Where metallic, stone and even brick rely on light reflection, irregular finishes and uneven surfaces to create flowing, undulating qualities, timber’s linear, repetitive grain means it can sometimes fall flat."

"The clever use of wooden slats is one way to overcome this. When arranged with varying spacing and angles, they have the power to create curves, flow and a visual tempo not traditionally associated with timber. The ultimate optical illusion, wooden planks and fins have become increasingly popular over the past years across residential kitchens, corporate office entrance halls, even external facades. Here are five ways they can be successfully and strikingly deployed — and one glimpse into the complex, ornate future of timber plank placement."

"Hidden gems"

"What’s not to love about a hidden storage wall and surprise opening into a secret gallery? An extension replacing an old conservatory at a South London Edwardian terrace has achieved just that — and wooden planks are the stars of the show. A timber and expressed-steel open plan kitchen and dining area with a wall of vertical wooden slats is impressive in its own right. But it’s also a treasure trove of storage."

"‘It is as though the wall is made of secret doors,’ says Laura Carrara-Cagni, founding director of architectural practice Cagni Williams. ‘Made by textured oak panelling, each door opens into something different, from fridges to a pantry and a technical room. It’s like an advent calendar to keep clutter away and organised.’ The storage and service wall is ‘a brilliant solution to a messy problem,’ says the client. ‘There are lots of design features in our new home, but there is no doubt the glowing oak wall is one of the most useful and elegant.’ More timber planks have been used to create shutters linking the dining room to a gallery space."

Text written by Emily Wright

Emily Wright is a Contributing Editor at The Spaces, and Head of Content for CREtech. She was previously features and Global Editor of Estates Gazette, as well as a freelance writer for publications including GQ and The Sunday Times.