interiors Archives - Page 4 of 6

Walking on Sunshine: 8 More Beautiful Eastern White Pine Floors

Posted on May 11, 2015 by Jeff Easterling

The earliest wood floors to ever be installed in America were made of Eastern White Pine, and all these centuries later, it remains one of the most popular choices for its character, durability, affordability and sustainability. Step into any flooring distributor in the country and you’ll find an array of choices in this pale pine, from its natural creamy shade to deep, dramatic stains. Here’s a gallery of eight (more!) ways in which Eastern White Pine can be adapted for a variety of interior design styles, whether your home or business has the rustic feel of a farmhouse or the edge of a modern loft.

Wide-Plank and Warm

Sources: Houzz + Hull Forest

Stained Dark

Source: Sharp Edge Floors

Pickled Greek Finish

Source: Houzz

Circular Sawn

Source: Houzz

Perfectly Pale

Source: Houzz

Knotty Hearts

Source: Stonewood Products

Hand-Scraped Edges

Source: Superior Woodcraft

Blurring the Boundaries of Wood: Highly Unconventional Interiors

Posted on July 26, 2014 by Jeff Easterling

Who says that wood used as the defining element of an interior has to be confined to the walls, ceiling or floor in any conventional sense? Timber-lined spaces have existed since almost the very beginning of civilization, but for practicality’s sake, we usually keep it simple. But that doesn’t mean we can’t, or shouldn’t, think way beyond the typical when using wood in homes, hotels, museums, shops and other spaces.

The HotelHotel Lobby by March Studio, located in Canberra, Australia, is a prime example of just how creative architects can get with pieces of wood that really aren’t any different from what you’d normally find at a lumber retailer.

“The lobby, designed by March Studio, projects a unique identity through thousands of lengths of repurposed timber, blurring boundaries while directing views and movement,” say the architects. “A grand stair – the stage for performances as much as idle procrastination – leads up to the HotelHotel lobby and bar.”

“In the stair the timber is heavy, grounded, a stacked agglomeration. Freed to scatter up the walls and across the ceiling, the suspended timber filters exterior light and views into and from internal spaces. Spidery, pixellated shadows are cast on the floor and bare walls.”

The result almost feels like an explosion of wood, lights peeking out from among the slats, drawing the eye all around the space. It feels dynamic and exciting.

Want to see more like this? Check out the work of famed Japanese architect, Kengo Kuma.

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.

Let the Sunshine in: Stunning White Pine Sunrooms

Posted on January 31, 2014 by Jeff Easterling

Adding a sunroom to a house not only provides an indoor/outdoor space that enables virtually unobstructed views of the outdoors, it also lets natural light flood into the interior. An easy and affordable way to add extra livable space to a home, sunrooms are often constructed with Eastern White Pine (also known as Northern White Pine) beams.

A wide range of sunroom companies across the country offer customizable packages for sunrooms ranging from basic square additions to beautiful geometric structures resembling glass cathedrals. Four Seasons Sunrooms, California Sunrooms, Better Living Sunrooms and Patriot Sunrooms are among those with Eastern White Pine options.

Known historically as solariums or conservatories, these spaces were initially intended for use as greenhouses, but in the eighteenth century, they became popular as ‘garden rooms’ that allowed enjoyment of greenery without exposure to the elements.

Many sunrooms cost less than $20,000 and can help save energy by capturing the warmth and light of the sun, cutting down on the need for electricity. Double-pane glass helps prevent heat loss in the winter. Sunrooms can be used as dining spaces, family rooms, playrooms, breakfast nooks or just a place to relax.

White Pine Custom Closets: Inspirational Organization

Posted on January 10, 2014 by Jeff Easterling

Just as it’s ideal for any other kind of cabinetry, Eastern White Pine makes a great choice as a main material for custom closets, whether you’re building your walk-in dream closet or adding new doors to an existing closet. It’s less expensive than most other solid woods, yet stronger and more aesthetically appealing than synthetic materials and composites.

Carpenters love working with Eastern White Pine because it’s so easy to cut and carve, plus you can paint or stain it virtually any color for effects ranging from the subtle and natural to the dramatic. It’s lightweight and strong, holding up under heavy loads of clothes and shoes.

Many custom closet manufacturers offer white pine as an option when designing the perfect closet based on customer specifications. The black-painted modern closet seen above was crafted from Eastern White Pine by Jaffa Group. The top photo, showing a rustic custom closet by Artistic Design for Living, offers up inspiration for contrasting finishes.

Delnero Custom Furniture Company of New York builds beautiful hand-crafted built-in closet cabinets that can be inserted into existing closet space, or stand alone in rooms without closets.

Trend Watch: ‘The Hobbit’ Sparks New Interest in Wood Interiors

Posted on January 2, 2014 by Jeff Easterling

All of the stunning custom woodwork seen inside Bilbo Baggins’ earth-sheltered home in the 2012 film ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ has piqued public interest in intricate craftsmanship. The filmmakers and set designers interpreted author J.R.R. Tolkein’s description of Bilbo’s residence, Bag End, in rich wood tones with lots of arches.

“We used round doors to be true to Tolkein’s descriptions in the book and also we used his sketches,” production designer Dan Hennah told The Los Angeles Times. “The ceiling in the kitchen is stone and inspired by cellar design, and the arches throughout were used as a structural element to maintain the premise that Bilbo’s house is underground.”

The magazine Woodworking Network also took a look at impact the film (and of course, the books) has had on the custom woodworking industry. The round doors, scrolled details and other elements of the hobbit house have inspired similar treatments in private homes, hotels and shed designs.

Woodworking Network notes that “In the film, perfectly circular doors are indeed set in matching jig-sawn door frames, components pegged into place. Middle-earth is a pre-industrial society, so everything had to appear handmade and unique.”

Take a look at one particularly notable example, by architect Peter Archer. Beautiful hobbit-inspired details include a ‘butterfly’ window with center-hinged panels, a round 3-inch-thick door and rounded rafters (pictured above, and in the video). Fine Homebuilding has more pictures.