The scullery is turning up more frequently in American homes. The British term describes a separate room off the kitchen where messy prep work and unattractive clean-up tasks like pot scrubbing can be done out of sight—a major asset in today’s open-plan houses. “Scullery and butler’s pantry are often used interchangeably,” notes Linda Jovanovich of the American Hardwood Information Center. “But a scullery is a true work zone with a full-size sink and ample counter and storage space, not just a staging area for serving meals or a place to keep china, silver, and linens. Here are some examples of hardwood being used to create sculleries that are both practical and attractive.”

A CLASSIC AMERICAN SCULLERY

Sculleries were more common in prewar houses. When renovating a 1930s Colonial Revival residence in Westwood, Mass., builders Landmark Services restored the original glass-front cabinets and hardwood countertop. A new marble farm sink sits under the window of the airy 6-by-14-foot space, a U-shape layout that doesn’t feel cramped or pokey.

A MODERN SCULLERY

In a Newport Beach, Calif., scullery—a collaboration between Brandon Architects, Ultra-Mod Concepts interior design, and Patterson Custom Homes—crisp white-painted cabinetry, stainless-steel hardware, and thick quartz countertops are joined by gorgeous oak flooring, which brings warmth and texture to the clean-lined contemporary space.

A SOUTHWESTERN SCULLERY

A southwestern-style scullery designed by Lee Shaw Architecture and Rick Ansaldi while at Ansaldi Shaw Design riffs on the Spanish-Colonial heritage of its Tucson, Ariz., location. Custom cabinetry, inspired by 1930s Monterey furniture, is complemented by an apron sink, ceramic tile backsplash, concrete countertop, smooth plaster walls, and a traditional viga or peeled-log ceiling.

A SCREENED-IN PORCH SCULLERY

In a new Salt Lake City house designed by Establish Design and built by Jackson & LeRoy, the grand scullery is surrounded by glazing, as if it was a screened-in porch. The large farm sink, expansive countertops, and ready access to the garden mean the space functions as a kitchen work annex and an elegant potting shed.

A SHAKER-STYLE SCULLERY

Despite the exquisite period details—polished-brass faucets and hardware, glass-front cabinets, tongue-and-groove hardwood paneling, heritage dark-blue paint—Shaker-style scullery such as those designed by ... by deVOL Kitchens is equipped for serious work. The wide-open base cabinet, perfect for stacking and storing, is a particularly welcome feature.

A SCULLERY-LAUNDRY ROOM

One space-saving idea is to combine the scullery with a mud room or, with the laundry. A sliding barn door opens up the room completely while the galley layout ensures loading the washing machine won’t get in the way of scrubbing the pots.

*American Hardwood Information Center

If you live in a multistory house, chances are you’ve looked at the no-man’s-land under a set of stairs and thought: That space could be made to look and function much better. The classic solution is to fill the unattractive void with a closet, which is a perfectly serviceable idea. But there are other, more imaginative possibilities—home office, mini-library, powder room, wet bar, dog kennel, to name a few—creative hardwood built-ins that can transform those formerly awkward architectural cul-de-sacs into visually interesting, highly practical, value-adding features in your home.

“Today’s homeowners look on such unused square footage as a wasted resource,” says Linda Jovanovich of the American Hardwood Information Center. “Solid hardwood built-ins not only provide the customization needed in an awkwardly configured space, but also bring the warmth and character of natural wood to a gloomy, uninviting spot.”

“If you do it right, an under-stairs hardwood built-in becomes a combination of a fine piece of furniture and a strong, reliable workhorse that should last a long time and be a sound investment,” says Laura Bohn, a New York interior designer. “Make sure that whatever you install addresses some real requirement in your daily life. Storage is usually a good choice but think about what kind you need most—for wine, maybe, or a collection of vintage LP records. Functionality never goes out of style, so make sure it works for you.”

“No matter how thoughtfully designed, any type of under-stairs hardwood built-in should be well-made and carefully installed,” advises Melissa Morgan of San Antonio-based M Interiors. “And don’t forget the details. Make sure moldings, trims, and other decorative elements match existing millwork. Hinges, handles, or any other hardware should be chosen for beauty and stylistic appropriateness, as well as functionality and durability.”

Finally, look for inspiration in books, magazines, and online. For example, staircases are often built against external walls. Architect Matthew Kerr of SOK Design Studio in Sandpoint, Idaho, took advantage of this fact by installing a fan-shape window under a stair to create a naturally illuminated nook. He then designed a simple built-in daybed comprising a full-length twin mattress on a painted hardwood base with pullout drawers, like a cozy bunk on some old sailing ship. Even though the nook is small, it doesn’t look or feel claustrophobic, thanks to the window. The result is a delightful spot to relax, read a book, take a nap, or even accommodate an overnight guest.

*American Hardwood Information Center

Live-edge hardwood, in which the sides of the slab are left unmilled so that the natural profile of the tree trunk is retained, is an increasingly popular decorative trend in today’s residential interiors. The technique is not only used for pieces of stand-alone furniture such as tables and benches, but also for built-in elements like shelving, mantles, counter tops, bars, and kitchen islands.

“Most mills cut off the rough tree edges turning the raw timber into neat boards,” says Linda Jovanovich, of the American Hardwood Information Center. “But the current demand for live-edge slabs has led to a small but vigorous subset of producers who specialize in the category.” These are often boutique businesses that source, dry, and mill limited batches of timber for use in furniture of their own design and manufacture.

“Some larger sawmills sell live-edge slabs to the public,” Jovanovich continues. “You visit their showroom and pick your own one-of-a-kind piece of ash, cherry, red oak, walnut, or whatever other hardwood species they have in stock. A cabinetmaker can then custom-make a piece of furniture or a built-in feature to your exact specifications.”

Sustainability-minded entrepreneurs are responsible for another niche in the live-edge hardwood market: Small urban suppliers that source culled or fallen trees from the backyards of private homes, public parks, graveyards, and other leafy locations in their city and its immediate environs. One such enterprise, RE-CO BRKLYN in Brooklyn, New York, recently harvested four 12,000-pound logs from a 150-year-old storm-felled elm in nearby Prospect Park. The logs were taken to an upstate mill to be sawn into live-edge slabs and dried before being shipped back to Brooklyn, where they were either sold or used by RE-CO for tables, desks, bar counters, shelves, headboards, and other beautiful custom-made pieces it produces.

“It was George Nakashima, the legendary Japanese-American mid-century furniture maker, who pioneered the use of live-edge slabs in refined residential settings,” says New York–based designer Glenn Gissler. “Previously, untrimmed wood planks, sometimes with the bark still intact, were used for rustic, log-cabin, or ranch-house effects—elements that referenced the traditions, myths, and aesthetics of the American Old West. With his gorgeous large-scale pieces, comprising multiple slabs of characterful woods like walnut and cherry connected with butterfly joints, Nakashima showed us how unfinished natural edges and richly figured knotted surfaces fit perfectly into even the most sophisticated urban interiors.”

Today, original Nakashima pieces are highly collectible and command high prices at auction. But his free-edge aesthetic is more influential than ever as homeowners discover the ability of live-edge furniture to work with almost any decorative style. Paired with blackened-steel legs, for example, a live-edge slab of burled walnut creates a dining table with loft-worthy industrial chic. Fixed to the bedroom wall, a free-form expanse of warm-toned cherry provides a romantic headboard. Or a hefty live-edge slab of oak, supported on an equally hefty oak-slab base, makes for a monumental console with the presence of a piece of archaic sculpture. New York–based designer Laura Bohn has even used the chainsawed cross-section of an elm trunk—complete with its bark—as a countertop in which to mount a stainless-steel powder-room sink. “It introduces a decidedly rustic note into a thoroughly modern space,” she says. “And yet it looks perfectly natural, as if it had just grown there of its own accord.”

*American Hardwood Information Center

"Baby furniture" isn't just for babies anymore.

Today's value-conscious parents are furnishing the nursery with quality pieces that will serve many purposes in their lifetime.

"Good furniture is an investment for the future," says Lisa Rae Oshesky, owner of Organic Bebe, a catalog and Internet retailer. That's on many new parents' minds these days, since September is the month with the most births in the United States, followed by August and July, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

This season, traditional styles in cherry, maple, poplar, and oak are big sellers. Cribs that convert to beds or settees and dressers that can temporarily serve as changing tables are especially popular.

"Parents are looking for multifunctional items for the nursery," says Pam O'Hallaron, lead interior designer for PoshTots.com, an on-line boutique of children's furnishings.

One of the company's best-selling lines features a cherry crib that converts to a toddler's bed or a settee. The dresser features a removable top for changing the baby, and the book case can become a secretary desk that's perfect for a laptop computer. The armoire can hold baby clothes and accessories now. Later it can be transformed into an entertainment center housing a television and other electronic equipment.

Cribs that can become full-size bed frames are another practical choice. One side of the crib serves as the headboard, and the other side becomes the foot board. Slats are added to support the bed.

Oshesky says the maple crib, armoire, dresser, and bunk beds she bought for her three boys still looks beautiful eight years later. "This type of furniture is timeless," she says. "It's kind of like a first teddy bear. As the years pass, the children become attached to it. You can buy these things and pass them down."

Oshesky is a big believer in surrounding children with natural products.

"Wood kind of warms the soul," she says. "The natural coloring is very comforting."

You may have to budget a little more for high-quality furniture, but it pays off in the long-run. Pieces that start out in your child's room can eventually furnish a guest room or home office. They can be refinished to adapt to a different look.

O'Hallaron suggests choosing nursery furniture that will complement the style of your home. PoshTot's Americana collection includes a poplar armoire with red painted accents. Poplar also can be painted white and distressed for a French country or cottage look. Maple in a natural finish is available in Shaker styles.

The crib remains the focal point of any nursery. The sleigh-style crib has been popular for years, along with dramatic four-poster styles. A round crib, which can be topped by an eye-catching canopy, allows the baby to look out from all sides.

Soften the look of more-sophisticated nursery furniture with fanciful linens and other accessories. Chenille bedding and stuffed animals are popular. Hand-painted lamps with decorative shades are also a nice touch.

*American Hardwood Information Center

The American home may be shrinking, but not the Great American Dream. Americans are still living large, just doing so in smaller spaces.

To some trend-watchers, the down-scaling of the American home comes as good news. Architects, designers, and social observers say our willingness to resize our floor space means Americans are rethinking the way we really live and how we use whatever space we do have. Home, they say, has become less about impressing others and more about making ourselves happy. And since we are mostly Boomers – that tidal wave of Americans born between 1946 and 1964 – who have long been accustomed to getting what we want, happiness is often defined in terms of luxuries and personal amenities.

“Natural materials like American Hardwoods are redefining the word ‘luxury,’” says Linda Jovanovich of the American Hardwood Information Center. “Hardwoods bring richness and warmth to even small rooms, whether it’s used on the floors and walls, or crafted into built-ins. Custom hardwood furnishings like bookcases and cabinets make a home personal, yours alone, and isn’t that the ultimate luxury!” This new definition of luxury: top quality, mostly natural materials, careful attention to architectural details like natural wood window frames and mouldings, is one that architect and author Sarah Susanka agrees with. And what Susanka thinks, matters.

In 1998, her professional hunch launched what has become the “build-better-not-bigger” movement, when she published the first in her best-selling series of “The Not So Big House” books.

Her mantra is indeed, think smaller, and she also believes that “luxury comes from the materials we surround ourselves with. Beauty comes from natural materials. You can see where they come from – in the grain, the veining. The more natural the materials, like real hardwoods and granite, the more content you are. There’s a quality you can’t name, but you can feel it.”

Gale Steves, author/editor/design industry consultant sums up a similar concept in her book about “Right-Sizing Your Home.” According to Steves, “Right-sizing is about making the best use of the spaces you have for the way you live.” A popular consultant, to the home furnishings industry, she suggests these ways to best enjoy the shrinking and changing American home.

“Create a room within a room,” Steves advises. Her ideas begin at floor-level. Install hardwood flooring throughout to unify the spaces and make them look larger, then use area rugs to define separate areas. Lay hardwood on the diagonal to set off special architectural features. Create a “rug” under a dining table with an inset frame of contrasting hardwood. Or outline an entire room with two courses of contrasting hardwood.

More ideas: Use a sectional sofa to delineate an intimate seating area within an open floor plan. And – of special interest to the many Boomers who are eschewing retirement – find a standing wood-panel screen to create privacy or isolate a work space, say, in a bedroom office area. And don’t forget to make it sustainable. Living green is a high priority for the anti-McMansion generation. As Sarah Susanka sees it, we should think of the 21st-century house as “a well-tailored suit: you use less material, but it fits you perfectly.”

So while the size of the “average” U.S. home may be shrinking, remember that it’s more about space that works and that satisfies the psyche in the process that defines the ultimate in luxury. Think custom kitchens with pro-quality appliances, posh home-spa baths, stone countertops and the beauty and warmth that only come with hardwood flooring, cabinetry, and millwork. And make your space yours alone!

*American Hardwood Information Center