Combining Tones

By Lisa Arnett
Appears in the November 2025 issue.

When it comes to selecting wood tones for your flooring, cabinetry and furniture, should they be identical or is it OK to mix it up? “We certainly have come across that question before from clients, and we love to mix wood tones,” says Elizabeth Prignano of Glow Interior Design (glowhomedesign.com). “As long as the two tones kind of pick up on each other—like, maybe some of the graining in one of the colors lends itself to the overall color of the second tone. It can be really beautiful and create a really interesting natural look.”

Pringano especially likes to use two complementary wood tones in a home that has a color palette that is otherwise rather neutral. “It is a way to add more interest without necessarily using a color,” she says. For this Naperville home, she chose wood flooring with a lighter natural finish and chose a medium-tone wood for the kitchen island and accents, such as ceiling beams, the range hood and shelving flanking the living room fireplace.

Photo: Glow Interior Designs