Anne Hathaway's rustic dining room is a testament to the 'longevity and timeless quality' of this wall decor trend
Create cozy, cabin-inspired spaces, perfect for hibernating in this winter, by decorating with natural materials, such as timber wall panels

Actress Anne Hathaway and her husband jewelry designer Adam Shulman, have imbued their Californian retreat with a fairy-tale wonder, and timeless charm, and filled with long-lasting materials.
Given today’s technology-saturated world, the idea of retreating to a remote cabin to reconnect with nature has never been more appealing. With humble beginnings as rudimentary, functional shelters, they have evolved across the centuries to become permanent residences and boutique stays. Therefore, crafting a dining room that puts traditional cabin decor, warmth, and comfort at the heart was key for interior designer Pamela Shamshiri of Studio Shamshiri. The dark timber wall panels, often associated with period homes or traditional interiors, add a sophisticated elegance that is unmatched.
Wood-clad walls are synonymous with the cabin look, but when it comes to wall paneling ideas, there are many styles available to suit the age of your house and personal taste. Some incorporate a richer effect, such as hand-carved friezes and pilasters, others have a traditional aged and polished finish, and some, such as the Tudor linenfold, are highly decorative.
A post shared by Shade Degges Photography (@shadedeggesphotography)
A photo posted by on
The formal dining room, being the most original, untouched part of the house, has retained its beautifully aged Douglas fir paneled walls.
In a conversation with Homes & Gardens contributor, Juilet Benning, Shamshiri says: ‘We wanted to preserve as much of the original “bones” of the house as possible,’ says Pamela. Great effort was made to choose furnishings that would suit the period. With Anne and Adam enthusiastic collectors of antiques and mid-century, especially Italian, design pieces the house is articulated with intriguing furnishings and artworks.'
Paneling ideas for dining rooms can be a work of art in itself – and it needn't be solely architectural. Here, bespoke paneling made from wood is the accent wall of our dreams, created to dominate and set the tone for this living space.
In period properties, wall paneling that matches or complements the original style and architecture of the property is a wonderful way of marrying old with new. Alternatively, in a plain room lacking decorative details or any original architecture, adding a paneled area is a clever way of bringing character to a featureless space. An additional bonus is the sound insulation it offers from the world outside.
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.
Shop the cozy cabin edit
Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space. Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.
-
7 bedroom items you need to replace more often – professional organizers recommend assessing your space for surprising pieces that need to go
Quick easy wins to improve sleep
By Ottilie Blackhall Published
-
7 kitchen flooring trends you'll be seeing everywhere in 2025, say interior designers
Give your kitchen flooring the upgrade it deserves with these on-trend designs
By Molly Malsom Published
-
Anne Hathaway's textured neutral bedding elevates her country-style bedroom – it's a masterclass in choosing fabrics and colors for a restful sleep
Linen, wool, and block-printed patterns combine on Hathaway's bed – for an Indian-inspired twist on her historic California cottage home
By Sophie Edwards Published
-
Anne Hathaway’s unexpected kitchen cabinet color will take over our homes in 2025, say experts
Like a gentle summer breeze, this alluring pale green hue is refreshing and uplifting...
By Jennifer Ebert Published
-
Anne Hathaway's living room furniture is a masterclass in 'conversational seating' – her method could transform how you socialize, say designers
The right furniture arrangement is central to a space that's ideal for entertaining – Hathaway's living space masters this perfectly
By Jennifer Ebert Published
-
Anne Hathaway's bedroom uses simple, farmhouse furniture as a grounding backdrop for bold accents – I will never think about furnishing in the same way
The actress's bedroom proves that furniture doesn't need to be the accent in a room, I plan to use the same technique in my future home
By Sophie Edwards Published
-
Anne Hathaway breaks the rules in her living space by pairing ‘two colors that should never be seen together’ – and quite honestly, it works
The adage that 'blue and green should never be seen' is simply not true...
By Jennifer Ebert Published
-
Anne Hathaway's unorthodox kitchen lighting brings new life to a classic style – I was over the modern farmhouse look until I saw it
Recessed lighting gets a makeover in Anne Hathaway's modern farmhouse kitchen – her unique and whimsical take has renewed my interest in the aesthetic
By Sophie Edwards Published
-
Anne Hathaway's inviting kitchen countertop material is replacing white surfaces – experts swear by the durable and welcoming stone
Anne Hathway's warm and cozy kitchen is defined by her dark countertop material – it transforms her space with a functional, natural twist
By Sophie Edwards Published
-
Anne Hathaway's good-looking kitchen storage is stylish, practical and one-of-a-kind – it's the most important thing in a cooking space
Kitchen storage should never be an afterthought. Make the most of this essential element by putting pretty objects on display, and hiding anything less so...
By Jennifer Ebert Published