Quarter-sawn alder—bleached, sealed, and then clear finished—is used for the cabinetry, open shelving, and wall paneling in the eat-in kitchen of a Montecito, California house remodeled by Maienza-Wilson Architecture + Interiors. The designers use the honey-color wood as a warm cocoon in which to envelop cooler, harder materials and colors: polished stainless steel for the drop-in sink, refrigerator, hardware, and bar-height dining table; understated Italian statuary marble for the countertops; black honed-marble tiles for the floor; and matte white paint for the ceiling. Two vintage bar stools featuring natural rattan woven around polished metal frames complete the beautifully integrated look.

A handsome pair of partition walls clad in oiled black-walnut planks stand at each end of the living room of an Austin, Texas house by Cornerstone Architects. The wood is plain sawn, which emphasizes the natural grain and gives a slightly rustic appearance that’s appropriate to the residence’s hill-country setting. The other materials, finishes, and colors are kept simple—gray polished concrete for the floor; bronze for the window frames; white plaster for the ceilings; and creamy limestone, a locally quarried variety that’s often used in the area, for the periphery walls—so the beauty of the surface textures, the proportions of the space, and the changing moods of the natural light all achieve their full impact.

An imposing, room-width custom hickory vanity, stained dark to match exposed beams overhead, takes pride of place in the bathroom of an Upstate, New York farmhouse remodeled by Crisp Architects. The characterful wood is juxtaposed with several other materials and finishes to create a low-key, rustic-industrial feel. Classic white ceramic subway tile gives the backsplash an urban vibe, while white-painted poplar shiplap on the other walls introduces an airy, beach-house note. Completing the carefully judged effect, polished Belgian bluestone flooring and countertops are sophisticated without being obtrusive or flashy.