Painted finishes have been all the rage in kitchen design for many years now, but it seems their hold is slipping somewhat in favour of more characterful, authentic feeling surfaces. Stainless steel kitchens have been having an undoubted moment, but now we’re turning in a slightly warmer direction, with the return of (unpainted) wooden kitchens. The 1990s saw the last big flourishing of the wooden kitchen, but at that time the style revolved around the idea of the traditional farmhouse kitchen. Door panels with arched recesses were firmly in, along with those slightly fussy brass handles, and perhaps a tiled countertop or two. Today’s wooden kitchens are, dare we say it, rather cooler, prioritising patina and character. After all, wood is a material that only gets better with age – a wooden surface with the worn gloss earned through years of use is a beautiful thing. We’ve picked our very favourite wood kitchens both traditional and modern, so heed our rallying call and go with the grain!