It’s a woodtastic wonderland here at Casa Erin. The crappy tile has been ripped out of our kitchen and beauteous new wood floors are going in as I write this. Right now we’re living in a dust laden war zone, draped in plastic sheeting that has transformed our once innocent abode into a crime scene straight out of Dexter, but I know it’s going to be worth it. I’ll be sure to do the big reveal when the floors are finished next week, but until then here’s a sneak peek to tide you over:
Aren’t you jealous? Don’t you wish you could wash dishes in the bathroom sink just like me? By the time this adventure is finished, I’m going to weigh 8,000 pounds from eating takeout every day, but that’s another story. Today’s story is about wood lust, not wood dust.
I’ve always loved wood. In its most elemental form it speaks of the trees from which it was hewn, reminding me of the Pecan Orchard I grew up tending.
Sadly, we did not have giant moose on the farm. This absence remains a travesty of my childhood for which I shall never forgive the latitude of my upbringing.
On the other hand, who needs moose or a farm when one could have a giant shiny faceted end table thingie? I like the way wood softens modern materials and relates interior to exterior, and Suzy Hoodless is a master of that balance.
This cozy bedroom photographed by Annie Schlecter makes me rethink my hatred of the horrid wood paneling trend from the 70s (laminate not allowed!). If I didn’t already have wood floors, I would copy this room right down to the hot little pendant sconces. It just looks so enviably clean. And dust free.
Je deteste that table and those chairs, but the knotty pine paneling reminds me of my naughty youth.
And then there’s this sexy number found via the inimitable blog, If the Lampshade Fits. Check out that hourglass figure. Hubba hubba!
Why stop at wood walls when you can have it all? And by “all,” I mean the most amazing house of wood, ever.
This little gem comes courtesy of my super seventies deco bible, Living Spaces, and I love the way the inside connects with the breathtaking views of the great outdoors. Skiing anyone? (I think my unborn fetus is foolishly raising a tiny hand.)
Meanwhile, for some spaces a little dab will do, like this gorgeous Riad in Marrakech. That glossy black door is my new inspiration for our exterior entry, since I now realize it could be fantastic with our rustic split rail fence.
Oh, what a feeling… when we’re using wood planks on the ceiling. A nice change from the ubiquitous wood flooring, I think. Not that I’m in any position to hate on wood floors right now.
Although not the most practical in terms of cleaning, I do love wood ceilings with white floors. It’s like the world got tuned upside down.
And wood helps to keep white spaces from going sterile, although that table on casters has definite medical potential. And do you see the console table on casters in the background??? I NEED IT. I’m thinking of cultivating a new entirely mobile lifestyle. My kid is sure to love it. Post to come someday.
No self respecting post on wood would be complete without a touch of the rustique. While it’s not really my style, I do think using logs to create an indoor tent of softly canopied fabric is a pretty genius idea.
This tiny touch of woodsy eye candy comes courtesy of my man, Per Ranung. Is it me, or is there something a bit sinister about those knotted sheets hanging from rafters? That’s probably why I like it.
Alrighty friends, It’s time for me to inspect our own masterpiece in the making and attempt to contain the dirt damage. I can’t wait to give you the full report next week, but until then, Happy Weekend!
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Dear VisQUEEN,
I know you wrote some words between those glorious pictures. I’m sorry, but all I saw was “blah blah blah” – capillary bursting – “blah blah blah.”
P.S. Thanks for the link love. That’s one of my all-time five-star favorites.
It’s like all the contractors of the world scheduled the internet to get their kitchens torn up this week. Except I am using paper plates instead of real dishes.
Please re-enact a scene from Dexter as your next entry. Thank you.
I am bookmarking this page … that room with the faceted silver end table clearly has my number.
And new floors. Yay! Can’t wait to see ‘em.
Wood ceilings give me, um, wood.
Happy weekend yourself. And thanks for the blogroll love!!
Ohh glad to hear things are going well. I’m in love with stacks of wood. Can I just pile them all around my house (and hope for no bugs)?
I love all of these! The Office for Word and Image photo reminded me of the airport in Madrid. I assume you’ve seen it, but if you’ve not there’s a pretty good photo here if you scroll down. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madrid_Barajas_International_Airport
And that reminds me of the airport in Oslo, which is also all wood, not as fantastic as Madrid, but pretty great all the same. The photos online really don’t do it justice though.
Can I recommend an airport post?
Oh, Raina, what’s a visqueen? When are you going to learn that I’m too stupid to understand your smart person jokes? I am really hoping the damage to my IQ will pass with pregnancy. Also, I don’t really recommend that you read the words in between the pictures for the exact same reason.
AB, your kitchen is looking AMAZING! I smell a house tour coming on…
Stephanie, that room is calling my name, too.
HG, can’t believe I haven’t put you on da roll earlier… please read the comment to Raina above.
Please Sir, I know what you’re saying; I have some awesome stacks of wood in my yard, but I’m sure they’re infested with black widows and brown recluses. Yikes!
Jesse, an airport post is a great idea! I may have to ask you to guest write it since you’ve seen so many…?
Anytime! I actually took an architecture class a few years ago where we discussed airports… it was pretty fantastic. Now if only I could remember what we talked about…
Love this post. I think those pendant sconces might be the greatest thing ever.
Looking at your pics of wood lust I see a theme of romance. There is something so romantic about being in a room with exposed wood snuggling under the covers! So sorry about the take out! Same thing happened at my parents house when we redid the kitchen!
Cherry, I really hope it’s romantic after all the dust is cleared! Right now it’s just hideously dirty.
Cassie, do you know who designed them? I’m sure I can’t afford them, but I love them so much…
Jesse, it’s a deal then!
I’m with Raina on this one, blah, blah, blah…deep inhale, exhale, I’m light-headed, blah, blah, blah…I may need a note from my physician before coming back to your incredible blog. It seems to induce these bouts of extreme dizziness and light-headedness. Happy Weekend Erin and Karly!
P.S.- I feel your pain on the house mess, but it will be worth it in the end, and just like labor, you forget the excruciating pain almost immediately and then you are ready to do it all over again!
Haha! I missed that. VisQueen. Raina, you hilarious gf.
Visqueen would be the plastic you have between your kitchen and the rest of your house.
HG’s got it. Here’s the official definition:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visquine
Well, I have definitely learned something new today. I had never heard of such a thing, but now I’m all edumacated thanks to Raina and HG.
Keep the info coming… I need all the help I can get.
OY I’m a regular wood hater but this is so cool! The Marrakesh one with the mini irregular stairway is KILLING ME. And the Tom Scheerer one…what a genius. Have a great weekend!
wowwww, great post! i can never get enough wood, so it’s all delish by me. Raina, your Visquine joke ranks as one of your finest.
oh i can’t wait to see the finished product! love the warmth of wood. i’d be paranoid to burn candles in some of those houses though!
My mother was the original visquine queen. We kept a roll in our basement. She actually covered new carpet with it and made us walk on it so we wouldn’t ugly-out the floorcovering. She even threatened to cover the furniture! By the way, in Atlanta we can’t keep piles of wood anywhere near our houses… we have monster Palmetto bugs { aka “roaches } that have wings and measure 3″. Their home of preference is the wood pile.
I adore the Edina Van Der Wyck interior. So wonderfully spacious.
How does everyone know about this visquine stuff but me? Soon, Raina will learn that her witty jokes are nothing but pearls before swine (me being the swine, of course).
Is there a visking? Or a visduchess? Ha, a viscount!
Hi, Erin! I’m super envious of your kitchen remodel (but of course not the dust part – that part really sucks) but it will all be worth it! Can’t wait to see…
Cortnie! How are you? How’re the twins?
I did wash dishes like that and it sucked! I know the feeling of always eating take out too, boo!
I can’t wait to see pics of everything finished though, it will look great.
You do such well researched round ups! The blogspehere needs more bloggers like you!
Lauren, I’ll take that as a HUGE compliment coming from you! Thanks!
Salut, très chouette ce site. !
I like the photo of the room with the wooden wall. It really gives a style !