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Find: Mountain Range Coat Rack

Mar 22, 2010

The best pieces for the home are those that balance form and function, especially when an object's beautiful form is its function. Add in a sense of humor and sustainable materials, and I'm hooked. (Quite literally in this case!) The Coat Range from Brave Space Design is hanging storage made from the cast-offs from their furniture manufacturing operation. Walnut veneer is cut away at an angle to reveal the mountains' snowcaps (FSC-Certified Maple). Hang your coat on a snowy peak, or just enjoy the view of the minimalist landscape.

Brave Space Design showcases a variety of sustainably made wood and bamboo products that are as playful as they are well made. Most of the pieces are modular, encouraging homeowners to develop their own configurations and multiple uses for each piece. I'd love to play around with these Tetris-inspired storage pieces! —Diane

TAGS: brave space design coat range tetrad sustainable modular modern furniture

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One-of-a-kind Style Steal! Reclaimed Wood Bed

Mar 19, 2010

{Short & Sweet Friday}

My post on buying quality furniture from yesterday led me to the site of Sawbridge Studios, where I dove into their floor sample sale section and found this iconic Style Steal. The price is a bargain, considering it's a one-of-a-kind piece handcrafted for the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry's Smart Home exhibit. The model home at the museum has just been redecorated, making this gorgeous bed available for your own smart home. And, it's green. The patchwork-inspired design is made from different species of reclaimed lumber. Make it yours for $1,620. Do some comparison shopping and you'll see that it's a terrific price for a handcrafted, unique, solid wood bed.

Full Size Salvaged Wood Bed from Sawbridge Studios

Did you get my free, downloadable, printable, trimmable, wallet-sized, oh-so-handy checklist for identifying quality furniture? Get it here:

Dwelement's Furniture Quality Checklist

TAGS: style steal bargain wood bed reclaimed repurposed salvaged recycled wood museum of science and industry smart home exhibit furniture for sale

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Green Idea: Buy Furniture that Lasts

Mar 18, 2010

Bamboo this, hemp that… there's a lot of stuff touting its green-ness out there. While sustainable materials are an important part of creating eco-conscious pieces for the home, there's a lot more to it. The most important thing consumers can do to limit their environmental impact is to limit their consumption. That can mean buying secondhand. It can also mean buying new pieces that are well made and classic enough to last many years or even a lifetime, never needing replacement.

Whether you're buying furniture new or used, there are some basic signs of quality construction that should be observed. You can use this checklist as you "kick the tires" on a piece of furniture to help determine how long it will last and whether the asking price is fair. The more yes answers, the better!

Sculpted Dining Table from Sawbridge Studios. Make this handmade floor model the only table you ever buy at $3,825.

Dwelement's Furniture Quality Checklist

• Does the piece feel solid and sturdy?
• Is it made of solid wood? Check the underside or a hidden area to see if it looks like wood or particle board.
• Is the hardware solid metal?
• Is the back finished as beautifully as the front?
• Are drawers dovetailed at the corners? Dovetails look like angles in the wood that fit together like a puzzle. Staples are not desirable.
• Do doors and drawers open and close smoothly without catching or gaps?
• Are panels free of warping?
• Are chairs secured with pegs at the joints? Avoid glued joints.
• Does the grain match or flow in a rhythmic pattern?
• Is the finish even and clear?
• Is the piece free of ink-stamped markings that are often a sign of mass production?
• If it's an upholstered piece, is the cushion supported by springs or another sturdy suspension mechanism? Avoid flimsy foam, but also be aware that upholstery can be redone and improved.

LEFT: A dovetailed joint on a drawer

A piece of furniture that gets an affirmative answer to most of those questions is worth buying and often worth refinishing or reupholstering to fit your decor. Look beyond the big furniture stores and check out local woodworking shops and craftspeople. And consider how often you'll replace a less expensive piece; a top-quality, handmade piece is often cheaper in the long run.

Freebie!

Dwelement's Furniture Quality Checklist

Click to download this list as a wallet-sized, printable PDF! Take it with you, then let me help you work your new purchase into your decor. —Diane

TAGS: how to buy identify quality well made constructed furniture checklist

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Craving: Celtic Designs

Mar 17, 2010

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I didn't want to do the green thing today. I mean, I like the color, but I thought I could do something a little more interesting that still pays homage to the Green Isle. Celtic art and design is filled with intricate ornamentation based on the Celtic knot. Here are a few beautiful ways to bring it into your decor! —Diane

1. Celtic Isles Knobs by Notting Hill in Antique Pewter, $16. This is a distinctive accent, so you don't have to outfit an entire kitchen or bath with this hardware. Find a simpler coordinating knob at a lower price and let this splurge be an accent.
2. The Celtic Knot Rug by Sawbridge Studios, $525 and up. An investment piece, to be sure, this 100% New Zealand wool rug is hand-knotted—and really gorgeous!
3. Celtic Knot Trivet from ShopIrish.com, $22. Keeps that hot corned beef and cabbage from ruining your table.
4. Celtic Knot Backlit Lamp from Celtic Designs, $149. A real statement accessory at 16" wide.
5. Abbey Trinity Knot Wall Hanging from O'Donnell's Irish Imports, $22. A common design found in Irish illuminated manuscripts, this 12-inch wall hanging brings a bit of the ancient symbolism into your own sacred space.

TAGS: celtic knot designs irish home decor accents rug knobs lamp trinity knot st. patrick's day interior design

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Outdoors In: Driftwood Hanging Rack

Mar 16, 2010

I just returned from my first walk on Lake Michigan of 2010. Fresh air, sunshine, and an early Northern Michigan spring have got me inspired to spiff up my house and change a few things to a lighter look. I've had this project in the back of my mind for a while, and now is the best time to collect the materials. The Big Lake has churned up all kinds of treasures over the winter, and I think I'm going to try to find the perfect piece of driftwood (before the tourists do).

This is so simply rustic and modern at the same time: A piece of driftwood with a few screw-in hooks from the hardware store. I'm inspired by this photo from Sunset Magazine, but I'll post a shot of my own version soon. If you aren't near a natural source of driftwood, you can find it online at Ebay or Etsy. Or fabricate a similar version from a well-dried tree branch. Happy Spring! —Diane

PHOTO: Rob Brodman for Sunset Magazine.

TAGS: driftwood rack hanging hooks reclaimed recycled repurposed upcycled wood project entry foyer storage solution

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