Natural Wood Tiny Houses

It all started with an organization project for my husband. (Yes, he asked me!) I was slicing off 3/4" of an old 4 x4 to help create tiered drill bit storage and I noticed the beautiful wood grain. I knew then and there that I was saving this 2 foot section of lumber. It had the makings of some tiny houses!

This project is based on inspirations I have seen on Pinterest. In fact, I so love tiny houses I have a board dedicated just to them. And I am not alone. There are scores of pinners out there that collect tiny house inspirations.

Below is my original pin which inspired my houses. These are simple house candle sticks available from Ladies and Gentlemen here. But it was the incredible wood grain that made me pin them.

Below is another pin fom my collection from Basic Label Sweden here. I loved the simplicity of form.

So I combined the two ideas - simple form and beautiful wood grain into a series of tiny houses.

 Simple and easy to do if you have access to a basic woodshop. Here are a few photos of the process.

I started by slicing some slabs off the end of the 4 x4. They were from 3/4" - 2" thick. I didn't measue but made them random thicknesses.

Using a ruler and pencil I drew precise house shapes onto them, went back to the band saw and cut them out.

I then sanded all sides smooth on a belt sander. It was important to sand with the grain to emphasize the wood grain lines.

The end result is a collection of simple houses with stunning wood grain to be displayed in any number of nooks and crannies in our home.

If you are interested in tiny houses check out and follow my Pinterst Board titled Little Houses here. It is chock full of many tiny houses in a huge variety of materials and complexity.

Previous Posts of Interest:

• Wood Slice Wall Art
• Variations on Wood Slice Flowers
• Wooden Rocks?
• Flexible Wooden Tote

©2013 AshbeeDesign, Marji Roy

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Branch Motif in Doors

I have noticed that in home decor, branches and trees are frequently used as the theme for a door. Here are some of different styles. Some craftsmen have created doors with a decidedly contemporary feel even while using warm woods.

original • via

original • via

The vast majority of the doors with tree themes were more a more rustic, mountain cabin design genre. The first example below is crafted from metal and unique with the pine boughs splitting across the double door opening.

via

Some are more elaborately carved....

via

original • via

Other interesting approach is trees etched in glass panels of doors.

via

via

And other ideas could be replicated by all of us DIYers in the world...

original • via

This one is done by applying wall paper.

Previous Posts of Interest • The Branch Series • 2012

• Branch Like -Shelving
• Branch Lighting
• Branches • Reshaped! 
• Branches • In Bed!
• Branches • Stacks of Sticks
• Branch Whimsy
• Branches • Birch Centerpiece
• Branches • Sliced
• Branches is the Round • Wreathes, Etc.
• Branches Framed
• Putting Branches to Use • Shelf Supports
• Putting Branches to Use • Branch Hooks
• Red Dancing Sticks • DIY for the Winter Garden
• White Winter Branches
• Start With a Branch
• Collecting Branches and Twigs
• Winter Branches • A Source of Inspiration

©2012 Ashbee Design, Marji Roy

Stairs - Spiral Stairs I Can Afford

I did an extensive series of posts on beautiful staircases. Reality is that most of us with stairs in our homes will not be altering them much.  They are an integral part of the house and not where we start redesign.  Yesterday, in the mail came the Signals catalog (amazing I still get some print catalogs when all my buying is online!) and I saw this item....

A beautiful architectural model of spiral stairs.  I love it as a piece of decor and it is the only way I will get beautiful stairs in my home.

It is available from many sources online - just search on Architectural Stair model.

And to continue the dream this beautiful spiral staircase also crossed my screen....

via Trendir

It is in a home located in Poland and design by Damian Cyryl Kotwicki.

Previous Posts of Interest:

• Ribbon Stairs
• Stair Railings
• Storage Stairs
• Stairs as a Geometry Lesson
• Continuing with Stairs
• Creative Stair Design
• Other Wooden Stairs to WOW Me

©2011 Ashbee Design, Marji Roy

Ribbon Stairs

My series on stairs was interrupted by Hurricane Irene.  I hadn't finished sharing some of the incredible finds on the web. This stair case didn't fit into any of my other categories but I love it both for its creativeness and for its visual graphics.

Images and design credits: HSH Architects, Prague, Cz.

This stair is installed in a house in Prague. The design is constructed from 10mm thick sheet metal and appears as a ribbon of metal.  I wonder if it is difficult to navigate.  

Previous Posts of Interest:

• Stair Railings
• Storage Stairs
• Stairs as a Geometry Lesson
• Continuing with Stairs
• Creative Stair Design
• Other Wooden Stairs to WOW Me

©2011 Ashbee Design, Marji Roy

Stair Railings

I've been posting off and on about stairs so today I am going to hone in on just railings.  Stair railings are a place people easily over do and a search on creative stair railings will yield some over the top results.  I have found some that I especially liked.  A different way to upgrade my staircase might be to instead change the railings.

Interesting that all the designs I selected are based on the twig theme. My love of wood comes through even when it is translated into forged metal!

via Woodland Creek Furniture

via Eureka Iron Works

via Eureka Iron Works

via IdahoForest.com

via Woodland Creek Furniture

Previous Posts of Interest:

• Storage Stairs
• Stairs as a Geometry Lesson
• Continuing with Stairs
• Creative Stair Design
• Other Wooden Stairs to WOW Me

©2011 Ashbee Design, Marji Roy

Storage Stairs

As I have been exploring creative stairs one category that appears often is stairs with storage incorporated underneath.  There are many great ideas.  Some would even pass Connecticut Building Codes!

via Remodelista

via Stairporn.org

via Remodelista

via Remodelista

via Remodelista

via HomeEdit.com

via HomeEdit.com

via HomeEdit.com

via HomeEdit.com

via HomeEdit.com

So many great ideas.  It is a great use of space. As we work to live in smaller, more energy efficient spaces and reduce our footprint these designs make great sense.

Previous Posts of Interest:

• Stairs as a Geometry Lesson
• Continuing with Stairs
• Creative Stair Design
• Other Wooden Stairs to WOW Me

©2011 Ashbee Design, Marji Roy

Stairs as a Geometry Lesson

I have always pictured stairs as based on rectangular treads. I was inspired to see some variations that experiment with geometry!

First two examples of triangles....

From the Shallard House via Greendump.net

via StairPorn.com Via organicmodern.com

The then one with three dimension trapezoids- not sure what the proper geometrical term is.....

Via Toxel.com designed by Florence architect Guido Ciompi for the Gray hotel in Milan, Italy.

Previous Posts of Interest:

• Continuing with Stairs
• Creative Stair Design
• Other Wooden Stairs to WOW Me

©2011 Ashbee Design, Marji Roy

Continuing with Stairs

My stairs theme was interrupted by our trip to Bedrock Gardens. Time to get the blog back on track.

Stairs, like fireplaces are obvious focal points in a home. They deserve some extra thought when designing.  Here are several examples based on the tree theme.

This first is from the Wharton Esherick House and Studio in Paoli, PA. Esherick was a sculptor that worked primarily in wood and his sculpting regularly carried over into his home, furniture and stairs. His home and studio are open for tours by appointment.  Great place for a wandering! (Thanks to Charlotte for the reminder!)

This one uses the tree as well. It is from StairPorn. com (Horrible name for a website!) they do have a lot a great stair examples though!

My last example doesn't use a tree but includes a beautiful almost poetic metal railing sculpted to be branch like. Via The MetaPicture.com

Right down to the roots!

Previous Posts of Interest:

• Creative Stair Design
• Other Wooden Stairs to WOW Me

©2011 Ashbee Design, Marji Roy

Other Wooden Stairs to WOW Me.

There are so many fine examples of exciting staircases on the web. I love the massive beams used to create these treads. I think my stairs shown yesterday could use open treads for the bottom third.  It would create a niche under them ideal for a sculpture.

Via from Webber + Studio, Architects

This one reflects the zig-zag seen in yesterday's post but with a clear railing. Can't imagine keeping that clean!

Via Houzz, Elite Metalcraft

This one gets points for ingenuity in a small space. It absolutely wouldn't pass the inspection here in Connecticut but what a cool alternating stair.

Via Oddee.com from Cool Home Design 

Previous Posts of Interest:

• Creative Stair Designs

©2011 Ashbee Design, Marji Roy