Zendaya makes traditional wood cabinetry look modern with this sleek kitchen design technique

2024 has already revealed several 'trends' that are changing how we decorate, but arguably, none is more beautiful than the wooden kitchen revival. This earthy movement celebrates natural, unpainted cabinets and countertops – both of which bring a grounding aesthetic to homes of all sizes, including Zendaya's Brooklyn apartment. 

The Dune actress's kitchen (best seen in the third, fifth, and seventh photos in the carousel below) exhibits wood kitchen cabinets that tap into this sustainable trend – but despite the raw cabinets, her space still feels contemporary and sleek. Her secret? The waterfall island and marble countertops which bring just the right amount of luxury to an otherwise organic space. 

By combining her wooden cabinets with contemporary marble, Zendaya enjoys the benefits of 2024's most sustainable kitchen trend while ensuring that her apartment upholds a modern aesthetic overall. This look hasn't gone unnoticed by experts, including Laminam's R&D Director, Claudio Corniola, who encourages us to mix marble with other materials when planning our future kitchen design. 

'Marble and marble-look surfaces and décor have reigned supreme in kitchens over the last few years and are now a timeless classic, and searches for "Marble [Countertops]" continue to soar,' Corniola says.

'For 2024, designers will be mixing marble-look surfaces with other textures and colors such as wood, cement, steel, or glass for a more visually impactful result. Choosing a marble-effect surface such as porcelain is easier to care for and maintain than real marble, and so will be a popular choice in 2024 to contrast alongside other materials.'

Corniola is not exclusive in his observations. Designer Huse Kilic at Archispek worked with marble experts Caesarstone to design a space similar to Zendaya's, combining natural woods and sleek lines with a waterfall island for a perfectly balanced space. 

'When blended with the design scheme's warm woods and muted pastels, the concrete waterfall island creates a harmonious balance between traditional and modern style,' comments Jon Stanley, the VP of marketing at Caesarstone.

'The island's clean lines and sleek design make for an aesthetically pleasing kitchen centerpiece that is, above all, incredibly practical, serving as an essential central hub for preparing dinner and socializing.'

Jonathan Stanley

Jonathan is a countertop expert and the VP of marketing at Caesarstone. He has more than twenty years of experience working nationally and internationally at the board level, creating and delivering strategies and campaigns for companies, including the marble powerhouse Caesarstone. 

Shop H&G's wood x marble kitchen edit

Cabinets, countertops and islands aside, we can blend wood and marble with these handpicked accessories below.