Interior Design Archives - Page 4 of 4

This Week in Wood: Colorful Sound-Absorbing Tiles Made of Wood Wool

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Jeff Easterling

Wood wool, known as ‘excelsior,’ is a highly insulating and shock-absorbing material made from slivers of wood cut from logs. It’s been in use for decades for everything from packaging to erosion control mats, but when it’s integrated into architecture or interiors, it’s almost always out of sight. This product by Form Us With Love brings it out from behind the walls, showing off its texture and adding a splash of color.

Hexagon-shaped modular tiles are painted in a variety of colors in custom combinations and can be assembled in all sorts of patterns to create mural-like wall installations. Cement and water mixed with the wood fibers give it superior sound-absorbing properties, enhancing acoustics.

This innovative use of wood is aesthetically pleasing, environmentally friendly and easy to apply as well as being fire- and water-resistant. The project helped revitalize the sole manufacturer of wood wool in Sweden, giving them an intriguing new product to produce.

Gorgeous Pine Wood Panels in a Geometric Modern Interior

Posted on March 7, 2014 by Jeff Easterling

Naturally finished tongue-and-groove pine wood plays against modern shapes and bright white paint in this refreshing interior design by i29 Architects. Most people associate pine paneling with more rustic applications, like cabins, but the beauty of the wood is perfectly offset by strong angles and bold colors in more contemporary settings.

In this case, the designers created a space that features solid wood planks on an accent wall which is glimpsed through the architectural cut-outs in a white central volume that acts as both a room divider and a large built-in cabinet for hidden storage.

The geometric shapes offer a peek inside these cabinets – just enough to see the spines of books and edges of plates, adding some visual interest while keeping clutter at bay.

The pine accent wall continues from the ground floor up to the second level, providing a sense of continuity. The warmth of the wood brings a little character and a sense of comfort into what could otherwise be an overly cold-feeling space.

Interior Design Inspiration: Knotty Pine Paneling, 4 Ways

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Jeff Easterling

Often associated with rustic applications like cabins, knotty pine is actually an incredibly versatile material, able to take on a wide range of finishes to create looks ranging from historic to modern. These four examples show the different ways that knotty pine paneling can be employed in a house, and suggests interior design styles that work well with each.

Textural Knotty Pine as an Accent

Perfect for: modern, ultramodern, contemporary

(Pictured top) Set against stark black and white surfaces, knotty pine becomes a textural visual accent, instantly drawing the eye and making the wood into a major decorative element in the space. Bates Masi architects incorporated what’s conventionally known as a more rustic or traditional material into a modern space that feels fresh and welcoming.

Rustic Beauty

Perfect for: timber frame, cabin

No architectural style shows off the beauty of white pine quite like timber frame construction, leaving the framework of the building exposed, as pictured in this project by Whitten Architects. Combining timber frame construction with pine-paneled walls gives the sace an even more rustic feel that’s deeply connected to nature.

Whitewashed

Perfect for: cottage, shabby chic, beach house

Whitewashed pine paneling has so much more character than plain white drywall, as seen here in a master bedroom by Kate Davidson Design Inc. Muting the wood tones and natural variations in texture, whitewashing has a more subtle and airy effect that’s great for beach houses and cottages.

Dramatic and Traditional

Perfect for: traditional, historic, European

Dark wood-paneled rooms evoke a sense of history and tradition, especially when they’re used as offices or personal libraries, as in this example by Murphy & Co Design.

All images via Houzz.com