We love wood – all kinds of wood from pine and oak to cherry and mahogany. We use it as wall paneling, make furniture and home accessories from it and even use it as cove and crown molding to finish off the rooms in our homes. It is probably near to impossible to enter any home in the USA and not find wood somewhere.

Wood has a special presence and unique charm all its own and it lends an air of permanence and character to a home. If it is made well, it will be around many lifetimes and because of this, many homeowners use it in their house decor plans and decide on investment pieces of furniture that can be passed onto children and grandchildren.

One of the nice things about quality wood is that it can be country style in design; made from oak and suitable for the cottage or country retreat. It can be made from Danish teak; with a minimalist look and feel. Or it can be traditional; built from flamed tiger oak and used in a grand foyer.

Another important point about quality wood – unlike anything else in your house, it only gets better with age. For example, wood floors look better with scrapes and marks that give it an authentic appeal, and are reminiscent of time spent with your family. Solid wood furniture takes on a rich patina with time, which glows quietly and emits a subtle sense of ageless pride.

More recently, North Americans have once again fallen for with the historical craft of wood carving and skilled carvers and artists are once again busy creating one of a kind wood mantels and artful crown molding. The old fireplace wall and drab wood paneling that used to be made of inferior quality pressboard are now being created in tongue and groove panels made of solid mahogany, maple and cherry woods. Each of these examples is a great way to spend your decorating budget that will raise the value of your home, provide unparalleled grace and elegance to last a lifetime.

It really makes no difference whether your house is brand new or 80 years old; formal and conservative or modern contemporary. Wood works in all types of homes and is durable for even the busiest household.

One of the attractive aspects about decorating with real wood is how well it blends with the rest of your home – carpet, curtains, accessories and wall color. There are so many choices in wood stains these days that you can literally match your home's wood to any color or design scheme.

Without question, nothing beats natural wood in your home's interior decorating if you are after genuine warmth, unique character, grace and permanence. Carved wood crown moldings from a time gone by still exist in stately homes all across the United States. Georgian dressers and hall trees can still be located in antique stores everywhere. Imagine buying a solid wood fireplace mantel today and have it end up in your grandson's living room one day.

Wood never goes out of style – making it an ideal way to inject quality and charm in your home's decor.