Here at Expat Living, we love all things wood, including wooden furniture. And with its light creamy tones and straight golden brown grains, oak wood is an especially lovely lumber. It offers a fresh, contemporary look that tends to seamlessly match the lighter flooring seen in many new Hong Kong homes. Here, KATE BABINGTON, Managing Director of furniture and home accessories brand TREE shares her thoughts on oak, and two trends it’s well suited to. (Also, read on for a special offer!)
Oak furniture for “OAKtober”
Oak is much-loved by TREE – and by its customers. And this is especially true at this time of year. “We embrace all types of sustainably stylish solid eco-wood,” says Kate. “However, we especially like to celebrate the beauty of European oak wood during the month of October – or ‘OAKtober’ as we like to call it! Sustainably sourced from Europe, oak is an exceedingly durable hard wood that’s perfectly suited for crafting furniture. It’s also favoured for its high resistance to moisture and humidity – perfect for places like Hong Kong.”
She adds that there couldn’t be a better time to welcome this light and lovely material into your home, especially with interior design trends like biophilic design and Japandi becoming increasingly popular. Both trends lend themselves brilliantly to the use of oak as a key material.
#1 Biophilic design
Many of us in HK spend a lot of time indoors during the week. One ramification of this, according to Kate, is that we often find ourselves disconnected from the abundance of nature that surrounds us. “Because of this, biophilia – the idea that people have an innate attraction to nature – has become an increasingly integral part of design in improving our wellbeing.” Sounds like something that’s particularly pertinent to our lives right now!
She adds that studies have shown that wood brings a range of benefits to our bodies and minds. “These include lowering stress levels and blood pressure, as well as eliciting feelings of comfort and relaxation. With its beautiful tones and golden wood grains, a beautifully crafted oak furniture piece like the ones you’ll find at TREE are sure to keep your home feeling grounded.”
#2 Japandi
Japandi is another home trend that has been dominating interior design in recent years. It’s a hybrid of Japanese and Scandinavian designs, incorporating elements of Japan’s wabi sabi style, which finds beauty in imperfection and impermanence, as well as hygge, a Scandinavian term that encompasses a feeling of comfort, contentment and well-being.
And it’s a trend that’s well celebrated at TREE.
“There are several ways to achieve this look,” says Kate. “These include paring things back, nurturing nature by using natural materials, and seeking out beautiful craftsmanship. Many of our collections – including Bok and Whitebird – have a slimline, minimalist silhouette, and are made using techniques that ensure they last for many years to come, which discourages throwaway culture. By incorporating these elements, you can create a clean, functional space that’s warm and inviting. The kind of space that’s perfect for calming the mind and living in the here and now.”
Special offer!
In celebration of OAKtober, TREE is offering 20 percent off all oak furniture pieces throughout October. Expat Living readers can visit in-store to discover the collections, or shop online at tree.com.hk.
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