Don't knock wood as a kitchen accoutrement that mixes form and function. When it comes to entertaining both indoors and out, wood boards are no longer on the chopping block.

While a wood surface initially might fall flat in terms of water and stain resistance, it's a product that stands the test of time, says Steve Pless, national sales manager for John Boos and Co., a fabricator of wood countertops and boards since 1887, based in Effingham, Illinois.

"Due to a minimalist trend that highlights stainless steel and dark polished surfaces, wood brings instant warmth to an overall kitchen design," he says. "While wood has never completely fallen out of favor, our company has been experiencing solid and steady growth that's doubled in the last six years."

While hard-rock maple is the most-used wood to fabricate countertops and cutting boards made by John Boos and Co., other woods, including oak, poplar, walnut and cherry, each have their own unique grains and characteristics that are one of a kind. Nicks and scratches are part of a wood surface's patina, says Pless, and natural countertops and cutting boards require ongoing maintenance. Application of food-safe mineral oil provides a nontoxic coating to protect a natural finish.

"A wood countertop can also be factory-treated with a smooth semigloss finish, and can be easily cleaned with mild soap and warm water, which doesn't require regular re-oiling," Pless says. "I don't advise cutting directly on a countertop, no matter what surface it is -- that's what a natural wood cutting board is for -- but you need to embrace the fact that a wood surface is going to take on a character of its own."

Part of a countertop's character comes from one of three ways the wood is fabricated:

-- Edge-grain-style: Cut lumber planks are laid on edge and joined together. They can be cut to make countertops up to 4 inches thick.

-- Plank-style: Wood planks are joined together to form the width of the countertop. Each board can run the entire length of the countertop and shows off the heart of the grain.

-- End-grain-style: Many short (usually 4-inch thick) pieces of wood are stacked side-by-side and joined with cut ends facing up. This produces an extremely tough surface that resembles a checkerboard, and gives a traditional "butcher block" appearance.

John Boos and Co. hard-rock maple countertops start at $75 per linear foot, according to Pless, and are popular on kitchen islands that don't house a sink.

"The experienced weekend do-it-yourselfer can install these countertops over existing cabinetry and easily change the look of the kitchen," he says. "The important thing is to allow for expansion and contraction of wood, since it is a dynamic material and responsive to weather."

Water-repellant finishes and barriers can make wet kitchen applications possible, and while wooden countertops are durable, they are not moisture-resistant and may warp over time if exposed to water on an ongoing basis. No matter the type of wood or finish, allowing liquid to pool on the surface can cause watermarks and expansion that can lead to glue joint failure and warping.

"Wooden countertops are easily cleaned by simply wiping the surface with a slightly damp cloth using anti-bacterial dish soap or a small amount of bleach or vinegar in the water," Pless says. "Follow that up by thoroughly drying the wooden countertop after washing it."

Pless says it is a good habit to use separate cutting boards for different types of food preparation. "For example, use one cutting board for raw meats and fish, and another for cooked or raw foods, such as vegetables and bread," he says. "Of course, clean the cutting board thoroughly after each usage, according to manufacturer's guidelines, and that will help protect against cross-contamination."

For Katy Milton, a designer located in the San Francisco Bay area, wood is good when it comes to entertaining on the go. A custom-made 4-foot-long plank of natural poplar wood is the basis for a cheese board that feeds her guests who are anything but bored.

"Wood is organic and has its own story, and just invites people in," Milton says. "This is the way I love to entertain: There's just something about the informality and beauty of a beautiful wooden board laden with food."

Milton "boards outside the box" of her home, and it is anything but cheesy. She packs her wooden board with an assortment of meats, cheeses, crackers, olives, fruit and nuts, then artfully displays the food for an impromptu picnic or gathering.

"When everyone is done eating, I just wash the natural board and treat it with a food-grade mineral oil," she says. "There's no pretention when you're entertaining using a wooden cutting board. Wood is approachable, and people just innately gather around it."

Wood is Good

Follow Katy Milton and her wooden cheese board adventures on Instagram at katy.milton.

Select RESIDENTIAL options at JohnBoos.com to find an authorized dealer for cutting boards and countertops near you.

Think outside the basin when it comes to a bathroom's vanity. Designers are coming clean when considering the bathroom's furniture focal piece. Sandra Diaz-Velasco, principal architect and designer of EOLO Design in Miami, says the vanity is the place where many elements must work together.

"Whether it's a guest or master bathroom, the vanity is usually the first and last thing you see, whether you're looking in the mirror or washing your hands," she says. "There are a lot of elements to consider -- water, wood, stone and metal -- and how they are combined should create a harmonious form that also functions well."

First-place winner of the 2019 National Kitchen and Bath Association's (NKBA) Design Competition in the Large Luxury Bath category, Diaz-Velasco's design of a master bathroom in a Coral Gables, Florida, home blends contemporary design with comfort. The vanity's design should be in keeping with the style of furniture found throughout the home, she says.

EOLO's award-winning design of the Cocoplum gated community home's master bath features a walnut wood vanity with copper-colored tubing and fixtures. A round mirror is suspended in front of a glass backdrop, which allows for natural light to help illuminate the vanity. A rectangular overmounted sink sits atop the vanity for dramatic effect, as the wooden structure stores personal effects neatly inside.

"The vanity is the most personal space in a bathroom, so treat it carefully," Diaz-Velasco says. "All eyes are focused on it, so make sure it has the right lighting, and is a place where one wants to put their best face forward."

Furniture Focal Point

Vanity varieties include everything AND the bathroom sink, according to Faye Nielsen, owner and designer of The Nielsen Collection of Interiors, based outside Dallas.

"The vanity is a focal point with function," she says. "There should be a place for everything, and everything should be in its place with drawer pullouts that organize everything."

Vanities come in all shapes and sizes and can give a bathroom its bearings. Start by selecting a vanity based on personal style and the room available -- a single or double sink variety; a leggy freestanding cupboard/dresser; a custom-made contemporary with sleek storage; or a wall-mounted sturdy "shelf" that resembles a large mantelpiece with sinks -- are all viable options.

Watershed Moment

Sinks make a statement, but bigger appears to be better with the trend toward rectangular trough sinks. As part of a vanity's freestanding cabinet, retro console or futuristic metal framework, the right sink depends on a homeowner's style sensibilities.

-- Self-rimming sinks have a secure, waterproof outer lip, which can be "dropped-in" and sealed into a custom-cut hole in the vanity's countertop.

-- Undermount sinks give a clean look of open counter space. The sink is mounted beneath a vanity's countertop with special brackets for a seamless look.

-- Vessel sinks sit atop the vanity's counter with the rim above the surface. Sometimes called countertop sinks, these can be used to dramatic effect.

Counterpoint

The first step to a super-clean bath design is to make sure the vanity remains squeaky clean. Marble countertops are a popular choice, but Nielsen says engineered stone or quartz surfaces are waterproof and stain-, heat- and scratch-resistant, and can be manufactured to mimic stone. Because a quartz countertop lacks surface holes, it does not require sealing, nor does it support the growth of bacteria.

Glass, concrete or stone countertops with integrated sinks are also popular custom choices, says Nielsen. "Colored glass countertops with integrated sinks make for a streamlined style," she says. "As a rule of thumb, the countertop should be no more than 3 feet tall by 2 feet deep."

Fixated on Fixtures

Chrome is still cool when it comes to fixtures on and near the vanity, Nielsen says. But the inclusion of more metal finishes doesn't mean design has to be watered down, and can feature the popular oil-rubbed bronze, matte black or warm copper-colored finishes. While some faucets still mount into the vanity's top, more designers are considering the wall-mounted variety for added effect.

Fixtures not only include faucets, but also lighting. "Mirrored medicine cabinets with integrated lights on either side are great," Nielsen says. "Avoid a single fixture on top of the mirror, which creates harsh shadows on the face."

Shed real light on a design concept by creating a layered lighting plan that blends different types of illumination -- eye-catching ceiling fixtures, coupled with task or accent lights on either side of a mirror should have finishes that match the faucets. For a final touch on the vanity, choose knobs or pulls that complement the accent color or metal finish in a bathroom.

But the most illuminating tact toward having a ravishing vanity is to have a bathroom infused with as much natural light as possible -- either through windows or a skylight, Diaz-Velasco says.

"When you first set eyes upon the vanity, one should almost have the feeling they're entering a spa," she says. "On balance, it should be clean and austere, but also warm and welcoming."

Bathroom Bliss

-- National Kitchen and Bath Association, NKBA.org, click "Find a Professional" box for a certified kitchen professional near you, or contact the NKBA Member Engagement Team at 1-800-843-6522

-- EOLOdesigns.com, or call (305) 250-9939

-- NielsenCollection.com, or call (214) 463-2743

Some homeowners have lofty dreams for a leafy escape in a deciduously designed treehouse.

Being up in a treehouse is timeless for Dan Wright, founder of Tree Top Builders Inc., located outside of Philadelphia. "Trees are a connection to nature, and I like to build treehouses that get people up into them," he says. "A treehouse isn't at the top of the list of practical outdoor structures -- like a deck attached to your home -- but having a treehouse encourages creativity and imagination in people of all ages."

An International Society of Arboriculture's Certified Arborist by trade, Wright first experienced a treetop escape as a young boy growing up in New Hampshire. A love of nature and construction helped Wright to organically grow a treehouse empire. He not only builds custom treehouses for clients across the United States, Wright sells do-it-yourself treehouse designs and supplies, and manages his 14-acre Treehouse World, an adventure park in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Demand for custom treehouses seems to be on the rise, especially for those desiring an atypical short-term rental through websites such as Airbnb, HomeAway and VRBO. If homeowners desire their own backyard treetop retreat, Wright says there are many steps to take before beginning construction.

Making Plans

While the notion of a treehouse can sound heavenly, a child's getaway is much different than building a habitable structure with electricity. Make sure you share the intention for treehouse usage and get all approvals with neighbors and code officials in writing, if warranted.

"You don't want to find yourself out on a limb when dealing with local municipal or homeowners' association building codes," Wright says. "Before investing time and money into treehouse plans, make sure the structure is allowable in the area you want to build."

Before dreaming of a modern-day Swiss Family Robinson treehouse, it's important to choose the exact site of the treehouse carefully, Wright says. "Use an arborist or forester to help assess a suitable site with healthy trees on which to build your treehouse," he says. "Ideally, you're looking for middle-aged trees, that are at least 1 foot in diameter for the treehouse, and often the design can be dictated by the landscape."

Also, Wright says, involve those who will be using the treehouse to make suggestions for their leafy retreat. Amenities can include a trap door, bridge kits, zip lines, a deck, railing, rope swings, ladders and slides.

Under Construction

The ageless appeal of an airy abode is the inherent adventure of climbing into a treehouse and walking among the leaves, Wright says. Whether you're building as a DIY project or employing a treehouse contractor, it's important to use quality lumber and lag bolts for safety and security.

"In a treehouse, you can feel the trees sway, so construction needs to be sturdy, but not rigid, using special brackets and bolts," Wright says. "If you build a treehouse with construction that doesn't respect the tree, either the structure will fall down or cause injury to the tree."

Avoid nailing into and tying ropes onto a tree. Nails repeatedly puncture without holding and ropes rub a tree, which can cause damage and internal rot. Use specialized lag bolts and attachments instead, which are safer and better for the tree.

Often plans distribute the weight of the treehouse on raised footings or secure, strong stilts. The house can then be attached to a tree using lag bolts or floating attachment brackets when there are multiple trees used in the design. The structure of the treehouse is usually built using pressure-treated wood, then can be sided with cedar, redwood, barn wood or pine planks. Windows can be made-to-size at a local lumberyard.

High House Maintenance

Once the treehouse is built as a refuge, inspect the structure every year, so its construction doesn't become refuse. Ongoing maintenance of the tree is also important for its continued health.

The treehouse should allow for the growth of the tree. Wright says if a design features a tree growing up through the floorboards, keep the wood trimmed about 2 inches away from the trunk. The roofline of the treehouse should be about 2 feet away from a tree's upper branches.

Every spring, before the treehouse starts to get used daily, it's important to do an inspection of the winter's effects on the structure and give it a good cleaning. Replace any cracked boards, check all hardware connections and restring any ropes that are worn on a swing, bridge feature or zip line.

A treehouse can be imaginative in design and spark imagination in those who trek to its treetops. "The design of a treehouse can range from the traditional to creative styles in the form of a pirate ship, a gingerbread home or Old Mother Hubbard's shoe," Wright says. "But, because you are building a structure that incorporates a living tree, no two treehouses are exactly alike."

Tree Tops

-- For services to build a custom treehouse or consult on your design, contact Dan Wright's team at TreeTopBuilders.net.

Wright's source for professional-grade treehouse building materials for do-it-yourself treehouse designers: TreehouseSupplies.com.

To experience a high time nestled among 14 acres of trees, visit Dan Wright's Treehouse World, (1442 Phoenixville Pike) in West Chester, Pennsylvania, (484) 329-7853 or TreehouseWorld.com.