Bolefloor offers floorboards, cut using custom algorithms, that follow the natural warp and weft of trees.
"Life is not a straight line," says Bolefloor's website. Cheesy, yes, but also true -- literally: trees don't naturally grow in ruler-straight lines, so why should the wooden floorboards that we hew out of them? Slashing all the natural curves, knots, and imperfections out of the wood means waste; Bolefloor uses custom software to scan the wood and take its natural forms into account when cutting the boards. Which means, in Bolefloor's words, "more floors per forest." Plus, they look amazing: Bolefloor's "optimization" process uses CAD/CAM systems and custom algorithms devised with the help of the Institute of Cybernetics at Tallinn University of Technology. The software scans lumber for natural edges and takes imperfections into account so that boards can be cut to fit together naturally like jigsaw pieces. They claim the process follows each board from the raw-lumber stage all the way to installation in your home, office, or anywhere else you want to show off your commitment to haute naturel interior design. Not content just to display their ingenious hardwood floor designs, Bolefloor kicks it up a notch and compares their technology to the invention of the printing press. "Just as Gutenberg's invention literally freed the book from monastic confines, Bolefloor technology makes natural curved-length flooring available at a price not considerably more than today's fine wood flooring," they crow. [Read more at Bolefloor | via Springwise]
The daily grind getting you down? Well hold your horses: This post is going to inspire you even more to pack up and go country! We first showed you how to make a barn for your dog. But now we’ve got barns just for you! Here are 20 gorgeous barn conversions that will stop you in your tracks! Too much to think about? Why not start small with a barn throw pillow or a barn door headboard? 1. Rustic and Refined Lakefront Barn: We are obsessed with the way the frame of the house is outlined in reclaimed wood. The contrast of the white walls and the wood is absolutely stunning. (via Wabi Sabi) 2. Scotch Ridge Barn Home: We love how this barn conversion in New York State mixes modern finishes with rustic framing and walls. You could say it’s Pottery Barn meets log cabin, and you could say mama wants. (via Heritage Restorations) 3. Modern Barn Conversion: This historic gambrel was partially destroyed in a fire. The owners commissioned designer, Specht Harpman, to keep the integrity of the exterior while modernizing the interior. And we want to be the first to say it: We love the dichotomy of rustic contemporary. (via Specht Harpman) 4. Industrial Loft Barn Conversion: This industrial loft-style conversion is gushing with sophistication. Can we move our offices here? (via Marie Claire Maison)
5. Eco Barn Conversion: We are floored (pun intended ;-) that this barn conversion is eco friendly. Sign us up for this modern look. (via Kitchen Architecture)
7. Portia de Rossi and Ellen Degeneres’s Ranch: We didn’t think we could love Portia de Rossi and Ellen Degeneres anymore until we ran across the photos of their ranch! This abode is nothing short of breathtaking. (via Elle Decor)
8. Modern Olive and Fruit Farm Barn: The fireplace in this olive-and-fruit-farm barn just outside of Franschhoek, South Africa is unreal. (via Visi)
9. Horse Barn: Have you ever seen anything like this? We can’t get over how this horse barn could easily double as a living room. (via Elle Decor)
10. Selma Barn Home: Go figure that this cozy barn home sits right on a lake. Could it be anymore perfect? We think not. (via Heritage Restorations)
11. Art Barn: White wood walls are the perfect backdrop to the chocolate, camel, and white seating in this gorgeous art barn. (via Elle Decor)
12. Family-Friendly Barn Extension: Were you raised in a barn? The lucky little ones whose parents built this multi-level, five-bedroom barn in the UK will be able to answer, “Most definitely.” (via Homes and Property)
13. Romantic Barn: The scene this romantic barn creates is so serene. Cue the pastoral vibes! (via Elle Decor)
14. Netherlands Barn Makeover: Wowsers! Can we get a virtual round of applause for this Netherlands barn makeover? We don’t even know where to start in describing its beauty. Just wow. (via Maxwan Architects)
15. Barn Living Room: This brick fireplace injects a bit of cozy into this otherwise sophisticated barn conversion living room. (via Elle Decor)
The thesis project of Swedish student Eddi Törnberg heads in a direction that should be noted. Unplugged is an office that facilitates producing the energy needed to run all of our office electronics through doing everyday activities. Based on the quote “Human nature is above all things lazy” by Harriet Beecher Stowe, Törnberg’s thesis came from the belief that society as a whole lacks “the will, interest and energy to struggle to achieve a sustainable society.” So instead, Törnberg created a way around it by deriving energy from things we already do and, since we spend so much of our time working, it’s kind of brilliant. In Unplugged, there are three techniques used to produce energy: piezoelectricity from the carpet, the chair utilizing the Seebeck effect, and the flower through photosynthesis.
