Lately – ever since I drooled over Tim Neve’s home in a recent issue of Real Living – I keep finding myself attracted to everything and anything in warm wood tones: lamps, vases, furniture, pencils, contact paper… Then I accidentally stumped upon a wooden bike in cyberspace, then the very cool wood tape dispenser I NEED for my many, many rolls of Japanese masking tape. And then, my mini obsession culminated yesterday and sparked this post when I discovered Polaroid is not only bringing back its instant-film camera (yay!) but in a woodgrain covering sometime this year. Me likey. Me also likey – and want – each and every one of the following…
1. Eco Bamaboo Squirrel Clock, $59, Hunt & Gather
2. Wood Tape Dispenser, $US30, Uguisu
3. Bike by Waldmeister
4. SRF Hantverk Table Brush Set, $74.95, Make Designed Objects
5. Wooden Birds, from $US80, Kristian Vedel at MoMA Store
6. Woodgrain contact paper, $US8.49, Hardwarestore (you can also get it at Kmart)
7. Replica Hans Wegner Wishbone Chair, $325, Matt Blatt
8. PIC 1000 instant-film camera, Polaroid
9. Window Stool, $US239, Viva Terra
10. Ono lamp, $99, Oz Design Furniture
11. Moso Bamboo Vessel, Stone Forest
It’s likely because winter is on its way and I’m actually thinking ahead of time of ways to warm up my home – a few earthy touches and textures will do this simply, stylishly and naturally. I’m also mightily impressed that so many everyday items are being grooved up a little; that even the little things can be stylish (hello tape dispenser! and contact paper – I have a few rolls just waiting to be played with), and eco-friendly too, with many made from recycled wood or planet-friendly bamboo.
But mostly, it’s such a delight to see manufacturers embracing our natural materials and not just resorting to plastics and other man-made bits and bobs (or at least faking the look!) Not just to save the planet, but because in a time of techno everything and a plastic world, there is something so calming and nostaglic about quality wooden items – a benchseat made from a bunch of PVC pipes just wouldn’t get the same reaction as the wooden version in the top picture would it? The texture, the colours, the imperfections: it all makes for a beautiful piece of furniture. I wonder how hard it’d be to DIY?!?! Do I dare to even think about trying it?! Thoughts?
{all images linked to in credits; top image House to Home}
I love things made in native Australian wood. My dad was always on the lookout for cedar wood stuff. And my grandfather was into wood turning so his house was full of beautiful things made from wood. For my last birthday my boyfriend’s mum gave me this beautiful blackwood cutting board. (My choice). I love the textures also! And the smell.
Did you know there was a DIY section a few months ago on Better Homes and Gardens showing you how to make one of those wood stick benches like in the first photo? I’m sure the instructions would be on the website of you’re interested!
I also have been loving wood recently and did a post on my blog a few weeks ago highlight wooden items from Australian Etsy Sellers! http://calicoandco.blogspot.com/2010/02/etsy-expose-wood.html
I just bought woodgrain contact paper the other day, it really didn’t matter what colour I chose because it was for screenprinting but I chose white and woodgrain just because I wanted it to look pretty on the screen. I’m so tragic!
Wooden accents are great especially with lots of white. Have you seen this tape dispenser by the way?
http://www.thetintedmint.com/tape_dispensers_s/4232.htm
I’ve been thinking about getting it myself. LOVE it.
I agree, wood is wonderful for decorating. My husband is from Tasmania and that little island south of the mainland is a treasure trove when it comes to beautiful, hand made wooden pieces (I’ve collected a few in my travels there). Worth looking up Tassie woodwork artists on Etsy or elsewhere on the net – got to love locally grown and made! And it’s so true – there’s something about the organic nature of wood that warms the home in a way plastic cannot. Love these items you’ve posted too.
Love this collection… especially as we head into cooler weather! There’s something about wood that is comforting.
I want that tape dispenser SO bad, but it sold out as soon as Leslie featured it on Creative Mint. I have looked everywhere else for it… guess I’ll have to be patient and hope they restock it?
You can purchase the dispensers from The Tinted Mint http://www.thetintedmint.com/tape_dispensers_s/4232.htm
That squirrel clock is just too cute!
What a gorgeous collection!!!
Such a great round-up here, Belinda! Wood-grain Polaroids & contact paper??? must make trip to the store…lol… And that wooden bench would be a fabulous DIY project – I say go for it!
Just had to say that your blog is lovely – I’m in class with you
I love your posts!! I know what you mean about wood…I keep finding myself drawn to white and wood together 
That bike is too cool!!!