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Out with the old oak, and in with the new. While oak has always been a durable wood for home interiors, the orange hue and pronounced grain of honey oak (red oak stained with a golden color) is being replaced by the fresh-faced white oak species. We spoke with Normandy Designer Ashley Noethe about this white oak trend.
“White oak is a little lighter and more neutral, so when you apply a stain, you won’t get the red and orange tones like you’ve seen in the past,” Ashley says. “This makes it very flexible with different decors, styles and color palettes. And makes it a great option if you’re looking for a more gray or white aesthetic in your woodwork, without using paint.”
Oak has a solid reputation not only for its beauty, but for its ability to withstand wear-and-tear over time, its resistance to rotting, its versatility in creating different cuts and grain aesthetics, and its porousness which make for a more even finish when you apply stains. This white oak trend adds a new chapter to a traditional favorite.
“There’s a reason people have had oak cabinets for decades – because they stand the test of time,” Ashley says. “People want this quality, but for a new generation. They don’t necessarily want the same exact thing they grew up with. What’s great about this new wave of oak is that it can be transitional, farmhouse, rustic, modern. It’s clean and simple, you can do anything with it, it’s a chameleon.”
Ashley has used white oak in a variety of recent projects, even using multiple stains in one room, from a driftwood gray stain with cool blue undertones to deep chocolate espresso to a rich walnut stain.
“Being able to use a wide variety of complementary stains in one area showcases the versatility of white oak, and the options available when moving away from orangey tones,” Ashley says.
Ashley also points to the growing popularity of quarter sawn and rift cut white oak – which showcase straighter grain lines versus the circular growth ring patterns. These alternative milling processes involve sawing the lumber sections at an angle to the growth rings, resulting in a more streamlined grain. Because this process creates leftover wood that isn’t usable for commercial purposes, the cost for rift cut and quarter sawn oak is higher.
“Oak and particular cuts can be more expensive, but it’s a good investment not only in terms of quality, but also flexibility,” Ashley says. “If you decided to change paint color or countertops or backsplashes over the years, white oak can weather all those changes and blend in and complement any new aesthetic you choose. With white oak, we’re talking about withstanding time.”
If you’d like to talk more about how to create your perfect kitchen, you can set up a time to talk with Ashley. For more examples of home designs, visit our photo gallery. For regular updates on design trends and tips on home remodeling, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Pinterest!
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