Actress Isabella Rossellini may be synonymous with Hollywood, but she has a second legacy in Bellport, Long Island. Together with the architect Pietro Cicognani the Blue velvet star has created a wildly original farmhouse (called Mama Farm) that defies convention – and no room embodies this more than the kitchen.
It might seem only fitting that a home on 28 acres features a farmhouse kitchen that celebrates its rustic roots—but unlike traditional spaces with this preferred design style, one feature stands out: rich dark wood.
The reputation of dark wood kitchens has long been controversial, but while this finish is bold, it pays dividends in the right rooms. Rossellini's kitchen is proof that infusing darker tones into your space (including cabinets, backsplash and ceiling) has calming results that feel grounded, earthy and timeless. So it's no wonder that this style is one of the top kitchen trends for 2025, as designers explain.
“The days when light wood paired with white walls and Scandinavian furniture were the norm in interiors are long gone. “The design world is slowly shifting towards darker woods such as oak, walnut and teak, gaining popularity and being used in flooring, furniture, wall paneling and particularly in kitchens,” comments Cathy Dean, CEO and founder of Studio Dean.
As Dean explains, dark wood kitchens (particularly those where a lot of wood is used, as seen in Rossellini's room) appear tactile and natural. This allows you to make your space feel connected to the earth by eliminating the need for artificial colors that deviate from an authentic, organic aesthetic.
“We love incorporating nature into our interior design, and wood is a warm and tactile way to achieve this.” “For us, the color of the wood is just as important and impactful as the color or color of the furniture. So consider carefully how it fits into your overall plans and themes.”
(Image credit: Holly A Kopman Interior Design)
Matt Phillips, the operations manager at root pointagrees. As a kitchen expert, he says he's observed interior design trends continue to include nature-inspired aesthetics, sustainable materials and energy-efficient fixtures – and dark wood kitchens are the best way to utilize all three.
“Darker wood finishes offer modern planning options for contemporary kitchen living space, not only inspiring a greater connection to nature, but also satisfying the market's ongoing preference for dark colors, rich textures and statement pieces in the home,” he notes.
“Darker colors have always been considered more luxurious, and when combined with high-quality raw materials such as walnut and glass, homeowners can give the kitchen a sophisticated look that gives it depth and dimension.”
Shop the look
We don't have to renovate our entire kitchen to enjoy the benefits of wood. These picks are perfect for adding an earthy aesthetic to your space (for under $50).
You can display sausage products on this versatile board or use it to chop vegetables.
Made from reclaimed cedar stumps, this natural beauty holds nature's bounty (e.g. fruits).
White and wooden kitchen container
Make storage in the kitchen a success with these matte and woody large-capacity jars. The subtle wooden lid is understated and beautiful enough to reflect the trend.
“Looking ahead to next year, the need for customized storage solutions will only increase and continue to meet individual needs and lifestyles around the home,” Phillips adds in his predictions.
“In fact, I expect that oversized cabinets and vertical storage solutions that maximize space will continue to increase as they help utilize space more effectively by creating new living space options in the dark wood kitchen.” The inspiration begins with Isabella Rossellini.