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On August 5, 2021, Doug Kramer took to Instagram to share updates about their condo home, which was officially turned over to them in 2020.
The property was first acquired by him and his wife, Cheska Garcia, in 2014. In his IG post, Doug revealed his financial journey with wife Cheska and his faith that the property’s value will appreciate over time. He even wrote in the caption, “When investment, hard work, and sacrifice pays off.”
View this post on Instagram
The condo of Team Kramer in Pasig City features wood interiors designed by Nikko Sotoridona and Vianca Anonuevo-Favila of Gussy Design. The unit has the same rustic vibe as their family mansion in Antipolo City. Aside from wooden textures, the Kramer condo also featured elements of black that could be seen in the furnishings and interior design.
The Kramers’ home is a testament to what faith, working hard, partnering with the right designers, and financial planning can do to help you achieve your dreams. Doug’s social media updates also inspire many to recreate the modern rustic look of the Kramer condo’s wooden aesthetics.
Here are five tips on how to incorporate wooden textures into your home:
Use Wooden Accent Pieces
Hardwood or timber can be expensive, especially those extracted from Narra or Molave trees. Thankfully, there are more affordable wooden pieces that you can incorporate into your home. For example, wooden accent pieces, such as bowls, plates, native tea sets, coasters, and vases, are excellent options. They are also versatile for most home interiors, so you don’t have to worry about your wooden pieces clashing with your interior design.
Place them on your metallic coffee table or kitchen countertop to add a more natural look to your spaces. These pieces are widely available in online stores and decoration shops, so you’ll be able to find good wooden items that will match your aesthetics.
Mimic Wood Grain Patterns
Compressed wood is a cost-effective alternative to timber furniture. They are pretty easy to assemble, so they are popular options for dynamic individuals living in rental condos. While they are technically made of wood, some might not have the beautiful, intricate swirls and spots of authentic wood.
You can still mimic the look of wooden textures by adding wood grain patterns on your surfaces. For example, this YouTube tutorial teaches you how to use graining tools, paint, and varnish correctly to achieve the natural look of wooden surfaces. You can also vary the shades and patterns to recreate the ceiling wood panels in the Kramer condo.
If painting is not your strongest suit, wood-patterned contact paper and linoleum or vinyl are affordable substitutes. Measure the area of your home where you want to have “hardwood” floors. Then cut and shape your linoleum or vinyl sheets according to the shape of your space.
Use contact paper with unique grain patterns to upcycle or spice up plain tables, drawers, picture frames, and floors. Cut the right size and shape to fit the surface you want to cover like a glove. Use a squeegee to pop air bubbles and achieve a smooth, wood-like texture.
Use Wood Grain Tiles
Let’s say you want to remodel your home’s floors, but hardwood floors aren’t viable for your condo or house’s condition. In that case, choose wood-patterned tiles for your flooring. These are more cost-effective than solid timber floor panels, which means you’ll save a lot of money while refurbishing your space.
Wood-grained tiles are also easier to clean and maintain than hardwood floors. They don’t stain when wet and aren’t sensitive to chemical cleaners. Tiles are also quite resistant to scratches and scuff marks, so keeping them polished and clean will be a hassle-free task.
Get Bamboo Furniture
Bamboo may not be “real” wood, but it has a light shade that mimics popular white wood trees such as birch, cedar, sycamore, and spruce. Bamboo is also quite sturdy, which is why they are used to make furniture sets and reinforced walls and roofs for modular homes.
Bamboo furniture sets come in different forms, shapes, and styles. Typical bamboo chairs with a matching coffee table have that “pagpag” style you might see in many houses in the province. Some are more contemporary, donning woven patterns that mimic a basket.
Besides being affordable and sturdy, bamboo furniture pieces also create a Zen ambiance. Think of it as adding a Japanese Zen garden’s serene and refreshing elements inside your house or condo unit.
Go For Recycled Timber Pieces
With many companies going for more sustainable practices, you can now get recycled hardwood furniture and decor items for your home. Some of these recycled pieces are made with reclaimed wood, which means you can get a mahogany table and bar stools for cheaper prices.
You can also find recycled timber pieces reinforced with resin, stone, steel, and marble. These create a beautiful balance between nature and contemporary style. Add these pieces to your home for a more edgy, but eco-friendly look.
Perhaps a lesson we can learn from Doug’s Instagram post is that we can reach our dream home goals as long as we work hard, have faith, and work with the right professionals. The Kramer condo is also a great inspiration for those who want to create a rustic and serene sanctuary amid a bustling city. Take note of these five styling tips to incorporate wooden textures into your home.
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