Modernests » Modern Materials

Logs and Firewood Made Modern

Katya Roberts — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:16:11 +0000

I’ve been spotting a big trend in firewood and logs being incorporated into modern homes and spaces.

Pictured here are creations by Bleu Nature. I consider them one of the best modern examples of bringing the outdoors in.

These little stools are fun. I think these log side tables are gorgeous. I absolutely love the pebble inspired coffee table pictured here. The designers’ use of wood and white lacquer creates a beautiful juxtaposition of warm and cool materials (both natural and man made) in a way where the man-made lacquer still breathes nature’s inspiration.

If Bleu Nature is not in your budget, but you’re looking to play with similar outdoor/indoor concepts, I love the more crude, but fun firewood storing bed made out of plywood which I spotted at Anthropologie in Santa Monica. Feeling the need to stay warm this season, or just want to be closer to nature? While this bed is not for sale, I think this is a fun design to steal and make yourself

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String Shelf

Katya Roberts — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 07:02:00 +0000

Starting the new week with the grand finale of last week’s 99 Cent Store DIY’s with one of my absolute favorite dollar store DIY’s. Lara Knutson’s 3 String Shelf makes me wish I thought of it. And that’s generally one of the best compliments I can give. It is awesome in its simplicity: cup hooks and sturdy string. The shelf showed at ICFF as part of Pratt’s Design for a Dollar.

Can you think of other ways to use this concept? I’ve long thought about a room divider with strings triangulating from little hooks in the ceiling to hooks on the floor.

Glam Sponge

Katya Roberts — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:35:00 +0000

Sometimes a trip to the 99 cent store is full of wonder and surprises. I am now a proud owner of this glamorous sponge. Leave it to the 99 cent store to carry silver sponges. There are three to a pack. I was skeptical as to how well they would actually scrub and be able to sponge up liquids, but now that I have been using it for a few days I must report that it has a great scrubbing surface and the sponge is very good at retaining soap and liquid. Moreover I feel very glamorous using this sponge as opposed to the ordinary yellow and green. Watch out you dirty little dishes!

Wall Decor Meets Drywall in a Modern Love Affair at modularArts

Katya Roberts — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:14:00 +0000

For a texture lover like me, modularArts drywall is very exciting. It makes any accent wall pop and I love the depth created with different lighting techniques for a seductive evening look, or poppin’-bright texture in the light of day.

Don’t have the budget? I can imagine laying down some pieces of plywood, spreading on plaster and texturing it as desired. After it is dry you can put the panels up for your own textured wall look.

The effect is not the same as a continuous piece of drywall, but it can be a great DIY on the cheap. If you repeat the process on both sides, you can have an awesome room divider. Hang it on chains or create a stand.

Click images to enlarge.

Knit Lamps

Katya Roberts — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:03:00 +0000

There is an entire array of knit and weaved lamps by Korean designer Kwangho Lee. Here’s a knit chandelier of a more eclectic style.

If you don’t knit, do not despair. Here are some really easy steps to making this awesome lamp using yarn, a baloon, vaseline and wallpaper glue. I want to make one with the red yarn I’ve been keeping for a future project.

These large hanging lamps may or may not be knit. They look like they could be. In any case, that would be a great shape to reproduce with some serious knitting or crocheting talents.

Check out this knit tree. That must have taken an amazing amount of work and dedication.

This hanging knit lamp is under a dollar to make and looks great. Sustainable design rules.

Table Center Pieces: Wood blocks

Katya Roberts — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 07:01:00 +0000

I saw this display at Anthropologie and loved the idea of large wood blocks in the middle of the table for hot pots or decorative purposes. You can elevate items and leave others below as seen here with the candles. What a great way to add a little taste of nature to your dining experience.

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Window Shopping Inspiration: Wall Decor with Paper Bells

Katya Roberts — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 07:07:00 +0000

I love this floral arrangement made out of paper wedding bells. The idea of using a familiar object in a new way is always exciting to me. Just by turning the bells to reveal the flower-like shape, suddenly the perception of this familiar object is very different. I love the diagonal strand. I wonder how it would look if you were to cover an accent wall in a similar manner and spray paint the lanterns a punchy color the same as the wall for a monochromatic modern look. Here’s a modern way of using the lanterns in your space. Looks like I’m not the only one into store window inspirations. Just discovered this blog.

Knit Rugs and Poufs

Katya Roberts — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:05:00 +0000

Christien Meindertsma makes some amazing chunky knits. They include giant rugs and knit poufs. Check out her “One Sheep Cardigan“. Pretty cute. Nummy Nims writes that the rug was created for the Design For a Living World Exhibit.

Another chunky wool rug is now on sale at West Elm if you want the knit rug look and don’t have the knitting dedication of Christien.

Christien’s pouf is available through DWR for $800. And there’s the rattan pouf at Urban Outfitters. It’s not soft wool, but it has a similar shape and look for only $88.

Modern Furniture: Rubber Band Furniture

Katya Roberts — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 07:03:00 +0000

Rubber bands go beyond the rubber ball and make for great materials for modern furniture design. Elastico are the bookshelves by Arianna Vivenzio. And this chair is from Anthropologie. And then there’s the rubber band chair by Tom Dixon. I wish it came in other colors than black since one of the fun things about rubber bands are all the different colors.

Reclaimed Wood: Piecing Together the Look!

Katya Roberts — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 07:05:00 +0000

Reclaimed wood is becoming a hot commodity. You get the already-aged look and feel and the question becomes what do you do with it and how do you make it look good if all you have are different pieces. Here are a few examples of how lots of little pieces piece together a great piece.

The garage door caught my eye as its simple pattern looked so rich and pleasantly complex. This table from Crate and Barrel Paloma Dining Table reminded me of the similarity in the motif. Apartment therapy just had a post on reclaimed wood which makes for another example of pieces coming together to make a great whole. And here’s a great reclaimed wood DIY for the entryway.