Which Cambria Quartz Styles Work Well With Warm Wood, White Oak, and Two-Tone Cabinetry?

General Category

Oct 27

As the must-have white kitchen of the past decade becomes less desirable, homeowners are discovering the new reigning design trends in kitchen cabinetry. In this blog, we will explain which Cambria quartz styles work well with the latest in warm wood, white oak, and two-tone cabinet designs.

Why are white cabinets now considered passé?

Most designers agree that while white cabinets remain timeless, they’ve come to feel overdone and unexciting. Today’s homeowners are also favouring warmer cabinet choices that feel less sterile and more welcoming with a distinctive personality to the heart of the home. Today’s kitchens are also less reliant on that out-of-the-box feel of overly matched kitchen cabinets. Instead, a preference for kitchens that feel carefully curated over years is outshining customized, new designs that feel too contrived and inauthentic.

Kitchen design tip: If you have white cabinets and want an affordable swap out, Cambria quartz counters or backsplashes have a transformative effect that instantly adds a touch of elegant modernism to any space.

Which warm woods are popular in kitchen design?

The following trending home designs highlight warm wood cabinets, embracing the switch from cold modernity to a more inviting, lived-in feel:

Honey Oak

A few years ago, designers would have cringed at the thought of oak cabinets making a comeback. However, a much warmer, honeyed tone is replacing the garish, orangey oak cabinets of the 1980s and 90s.

How to Pair It With Cambria Quartz:

Avoid the starkness of crisp, cold whites that conflict with the warmth of oak. Instead, choose creamy warm whites and greiges as the ideal match for honey oak, helping to downplay the orangier tones and favour the warmer golden tones. Looking for subtle veining helps add interest against the less grainy wood, which is a far better pairing compared to the busy, overly textured look of granular patterns. Some smashing choices include:

The creamy elegance and warmth of new arrivals, Merivale and Wyncrest.
The subtle movement and contrast of Inverness, Swansea, and Harlow.
The greige-leaning background and artistic banding of Skara Brae.
The depth of waterstone in rustic yet elegant Hermitage.
The black and creamy elegance of Annicca.
The contrast of Woodcroft’s black and subtle gold veining against the warm wood.

American Black Walnut

We’re also seeing the reappearance of American Black Walnut, known for its rich, high-end colour and distinct grain pattern. A wood popular in mid-century designs, walnut is the new sweetheart of sophisticated kitchens.

How to Pair It With Cambria Quartz:

If you’re looking for kitchen cabinetry that balances well with cool whites, this grainy, elegant wood is the answer. The dramatic sophistication of black walnut demands an equally elegant partner, with wood grain that holds up to bright white free of texture or veining. If you feel that is too stark, whites with mild contrast in the pattern work well, or you can choose high contrast in deep charcoals and blacks. Mid-range taupes and beiges bring out the warmer side of walnut. Some standout choices include:

The purity of Whitecliffe.
The subtle contrast of greys in Swanbridge.
The movement and waves of the Brittanicca collection.
Cambria Black, Remington Brass, and Black Rock to bring out the deepest strokes of the grey-toned wood grain.

Alder

Another unexpected wood on the scene is the buttery undertones and reddish highlights of alder, which lends itself to farmhouse and transitional aesthetics. Its golden red grain and rustic knots are unexpected and artful additions to kitchen designs for a distinct warm wood with plenty of natural character.

How to Pair It With Cambria Quartz

The rich warmth of alder cosies up to warm counters and shies away from the stark whites of modern kitchens. Because cool colours highlight the less attractive tones of alder, it is best to find warm neutral backgrounds in creams, beiges, and taupes. Alder’s prominent grain and knots will compete with bolder colours and dramatic movement, so think soft and muted when you opt for veining. Some strong contenders include:

The subtle movement of Brittanicca Warm.
The bold brown veins of Clovelly that work with (instead of against) the prominent grain.
The soft, muted movement of Ironsbridge.
The light-touch marbling of Ella.
The clean and simple warmth of Clyde and Fairbourne.
The barely there veining of Macbeth.

What is the difference between honey and white oak kitchen designs?

Interestingly, honey oak refers to the stain used on oak cabinets, while white oak kitchens are made from a specific species of oak. Although honey oak is desirable for its neutral, more modern, greige undertones that capture the modern minimalist and Scandi aesthetic, honey oak’s warmer golden hue lends itself well to the rustic kitchens that inspired its comeback.

How to Pair a White Oak Kitchen Design With Cambria Quartz

Warm undertones and soft movement pair well with the grain and natural colours of white oak. Avoid cold backgrounds and accents in bright whites, blues, or less warm greys that will draw attention to the yellow tones of the wood grain. Some excellent quartz options include:

The elegant contrast of cream and black in Inverness Platinum.
The warmth and soft movement of Brittanicca Warm.
The mix of sand and greys against the creamy background of Everleigh Warm.
The greige tone-on-tone beauty of Ironsbridge.

Two Tone Kitchen Designs

Two tone kitchen cabinets break up the monotony created by walls and islands clad in the same material. The look allows homeowners to get creative. Some common design ideas for two tone kitchens include differences in island and wall cabinet designs, upper and lower cabinets, or creating a banding effect.

Tones can be within the same family, a combination of painted and stained cabinets, or variations of different wood stains and finishes. Because of the many variations of this kitchen trend, offering specific examples of Cambria quartz is difficult. However, there are a few guidelines you can follow, including:

Bridge the colour differences by choosing a quartz that captures the essence of both tones in its veining, flecks, or waterstone features.
Focus on the more dominant tone, allowing the secondary tone to become a focal point.
Choose a solid quartz that complements both tones.
When the island is the differentiator, consider choosing solid quartz for your counters and dramatic veining on the island (or vice versa).
Ignore the vein and focus on the background to tie the two tones together.
Choose a pattern that matches the upper cabinets in the background and lower cabinets in the veining.

If you’re still not sure how to match your kitchen cabinetry to Cambria’s extensive collection of quartz countertops, we’re here to offer inspiration at our showrooms or provide hands-on guidance for your kitchen design project.

Contact the Professionals at Quartz Co Surfaces

Quartz Co Surfaces invites you to visit one of our showrooms located in Niagara, Barrie, Oakville, Mississauga, Waterloo, Port Carling, or Collingwood to meet our experts and discover the beauty of quartz brands like Cambria. We can walk you through the Cambria quartz selection and help you understand how to use it on a range of kitchen surfaces. Click here to book your free consultation with our team today.