This year has already shown several 'trends' that are transforming how we decorate, but arguably, none is more beautiful than the wooden kitchen revival. This earthy movement celebrates natural, unpainted cabinets and countertops – both of which bring a grounding aesthetic to homes of all sizes.
As we move into the cooler months of winter and prepare for the festive season, this connection to natural materials feels especially comforting and warm. Zendaya's Brooklyn apartment showcases this perfectly.
The Dune actress's wooden kitchen (best seen in the third, fifth, and seventh photos in the carousel below) features natural cabinets that align with this sustainable trend. Yet, despite the raw cabinetry, the space still feels contemporary and sleek. Her secret? The waterfall island and marble kitchen countertops which bring just the right amount of luxury to an otherwise organic space.
It's been almost two years since I first saw this home, and her kitchen remains one of the smartest, balanced spaces I've ever seen.
By combining her wooden cabinets with contemporary marble, Zendaya enjoys the benefits of the year's most sustainable kitchen trend while ensuring that her apartment upholds a modern aesthetic overall.
Shop the Wood X Marble Look
The finest kitchen accessories blend beauty with purpose. Here, richly grained acacia wood is shaped into a smooth, sculptural serving piece that’s perfect for daily use, effortless entertaining, or simply displaying as a work of art.
You’ll want to keep this elegant marble mortar and pestle on display at all times. Crafted from smooth, solid marble, it is a timeless kitchen essential that adds a touch of sophistication and makes sauce-making feel genuinely enjoyable.
Crafted from premium Fraxinus wood, the ergonomic handle is natural, comfortable, and lightweight, and it resists slipping so it feels great in the hand. This set looks especially beautiful on a wooden island or paired with unpainted cabinets.
Keep your kitchen utensils organized in style with this white marble holder, a timeless accent that brings elegance and sophistication to any countertop.
A tray is a versatile kitchen essential year-round, but it truly shines in the winter when warm, natural materials set the tone. Use it to display seasonal ingredients, serve drinks, or create a cozy centerpiece on your kitchen island or dining table.
Who says a kitchen tray has to be ordinary? This elegant marble piece protects your countertops while keeping utensils and essentials beautifully organized.
This look hasn't gone unnoticed by experts, including Laminam's R&D Director, Claudio Corniola, who encourages us to mix marble with other materials when planning our future kitchen design, particularly as we spend more time indoors during the holiday season.
'Marble and marble-look surfaces and décor have reigned supreme in kitchens over the last few years and are now a timeless classic, and searches for "Marble [Countertops]" continue to soar,' Corniola says.
'For kitchen designs, designers will be mixing marble-look surfaces with other textures and colors such as wood, cement, steel, or glass for a more visually impactful result. Choosing a marble-effect surface such as porcelain is easier to care for and maintain than real marble, and so will be a popular choice to contrast alongside other materials.'
Corniola is not exclusive in his observations. Designer Huse Kilic at Archispek worked with marble experts Caesarstone to design a space similar to Zendaya's, combining natural woods and sleek lines with a waterfall island for a perfectly balanced space.
'When blended with the design scheme's warm woods and muted pastels, the concrete waterfall island creates a harmonious balance between traditional and modern style,' comments Jon Stanley, the VP of marketing at Caesarstone.
'The island's clean lines and sleek design make for an aesthetically pleasing kitchen centerpiece that is, above all, incredibly practical, serving as an essential central hub for preparing dinner and socializing' – ideal for gathering family and friends during the busy, joyful season ahead.
