September 29th, 2011
When man discovered the controlled use of fire during the Early Stone Age, roughly 790,000 years ago, he never could have imagined that the future of controlled fire was going to be so darn beautiful. Modern outdoor fire tables, designed to be an eye-catching focal point, create warmth and entice social gathering in the yard, are a decidedly hot trend in home design. Our Styleture editorial team members have long been fans of fire tables and we’ve been keeping our eyes out for the hottest ones on the market. Okay, now we’ve used “hot” and “hottest” in a fire table blog, so that means it’s time to get to it. Here are our five favorite outdoor fire tables:
Bond Newcastle Propane Gas Fire Table
The Bond Newcastle Propane Gas Fire Table
This beauty has a stacked faux-stone base and marble tabletop with a wide border for plates and drinks. Its center cover opens to reveal lava rock and open flame. Puts out 30,000 BTU’s for lots of warmth on the deck or patio. A stainless steel burner with push-button igniter allows for easy starts and maintenance. Measures 35 by 32 by 24 inches. Read the rest of this entry »
September 8th, 2011
Bamboo is making quite a name for itself as an eco-chic material used in the contemporary bath environments of discerning homeowners. Bamboo’s environmental benefits stem from the fact that it can grow and spread quickly without the need for much water or care. A bamboo grove can release 35 percent more oxygen into the air than a similar-sized lot of trees, and it matures within seven years as opposed to 35-plus years for trees. Furthermore, bamboo can yield 20-times more timber than trees planted in the same-size area. With a heightened awareness among consumers to be green in their bath environment, bamboo is undeniably a great design resource. Of course, bamboo would never fly in the bathroom if didn’t look beautiful, too – and that it does. The Styleture editorial team has zeroed in on some of our favorite bamboo products for the bath:
Xylem Bambu 36″ Vanity in Dark Bamboo
The Xylem Bambu 36" Vanity in Dark Bamboo
The eco-renewable bamboo veneer is the starting point for this versatile and fresh design vanity. Highlighted with natural bamboo accents, it can be wall mounted or floor-standing using either of two floor stands that provide comfortable heights for vessel applications or under-mount lavatory installations. Read the rest of this entry »
August 1st, 2011
Shia LaBeouf
Success is not easy to come by in Hollywood; millions of hopefuls try, but only a fraction of a fraction actually succeed. There is no doubt that Shia LaBeouf, 25, star of hit films such as “Transformers”, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”, “Eagle Eye” and “Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps”, is breathing in that rarefied air of success that so few will ever get to experience. With such success comes all the perks including the seven-figure salary and the palatial movie star home; not long ago, LaBeouf plunked down $1,825,000 for a 2,463 square foot bachelor pad in Sherman Oaks, California. Read the rest of this entry »
November 10th, 2010
Greenbuild 2010
The Greenbuild International Conference and Expo– taking place November 16-19, 2010–is the world’s largest expo dedicated to green building. Each year thousands of building professionals from all over the world come together for a few days to take part in networking events, green building tours, educational sessions, listen to renowned speakers and to see all the latest innovations in eco-friendly building products. This year’s event will be returning to Chicago, IL at the McCormick Place Convention Center, the site of Greenbuild 2007. Chicago is a fitting location for such an event as the city is home to more LEED-certified buildings than any other and has shown a true commitment to a greener future.
If you plan on attending the event this year we’d like to give you a heads up on a few products you’ll want to keep an eye out for and a couple events worth checking out.
Caroma USA – Booth #1601
Caroma is among the world leaders in quality and innovative eco-friendly bathroom products. In 1982, Caroma revolutionized water conservation by introducing the first dual flush toilet system. This year they will be displaying a collection of products that are sure to continue their tradition of innovative water conserving bath products. In addition to the products that will be on display, Caroma will be conducting a fun promotion involving the giving away of iPads, iPods and a variety of other prizes. For details visit www.caromausa.com/greenbuild. Among the products on display will be the Sydney Smart 305 One-Piece Toilet and the Caroma Flow Showerhead.
Caroma Sydney Smart 305 One-Piece Toilet
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September 11th, 2009
French Rosette Fountain
Antique columns and urns, wrought iron railings, topiaries and finials are just a few of the pieces that lend age to a new garden. However, to really complete the look – every traditional English garden, Spanish courtyard and French Villa needs a fountain as its focal point.
Stone Forest’s Old World Collection features several vintage-style fountains which provide the perfect accent to everything from the Victorian to the English Manor. These are the type of fountains best used amongst formal terraces and layered hedges to create an established, romantic and radiant outdoor setting.
Provencal Fountain
Stone Forest’s Provencal Fountain is typical of an 18th Century watering trough and adds stately elegance and ambiance to any outdoor space. It is available in two pieces at 36” tall or in three pieces at 60” tall. For larger outdoor areas, their French Rosette Fountain is hand carved from solid rose granite and is made up of 12 separate pieces of granite, which should be assembled and joined by a stone epoxy. Other fountains in their Old World Collection include the Alpine Planter and classic Three Tier Fountain with pool surround.
Three Tier Fountain
Stone Forest uses natural materials to create items that evoke the feeling and tranquility of the outdoors. The company offers collections for the landscape, garden, kitchen and bath. All Stone Forest products are made using a form of a natural element, such as granite, copper, bronze, onyx, marble or iron. By using a hammer and chisel, the individual character of the rock, as well as the inspiration of the stonecutter, lend each sculpture a unique quality. Stone Forest’s collections are the perfect addition to enhance residential, hospitality and commercial properties.
August 10th, 2009
Sienna Benches
An indispensable element for enjoying the garden on a particularly splendid day, the garden bench has been given an extra dose of style. Now in an array of different designs and intriguing natural materials like basalt, travertine and even sustainable hardwood – a good bench can transform any area from drab to fab. Here are a few benches from boutique design studio Stone Forest:
The contemporary Sienna Bench in silver or beige travertine are slabs cut from large masses of natural stone with a clean and contemporary Italian style. The integrity of travertine gives Stone Forest carvings a radiant mass or presence not realized using man-made materials such as cement or cast stone.
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July 28th, 2009
The new Wabi Oil Lamps by Stone Forest are very stylish outdoor lamps, and they won’t break the bank! At $59 each, these solid granite lamps feature a removable top and hollow interior for oil. These oil lamps are perfect for around the pool, patio, pond or waterfall, or even strategically placed around your home. Click the image to see a larger version.
Stone Forest has been creating contemporary elements for the kitchen, bath and landscape using natural materials since 1989. Based in Santa Fe, New Mexico the boutique company has a unique understanding of the tolerances of different stones and precious materials. All of their architectural designs are sculpted from an organic source such as limestone, marble, bamboo, copper and onyx. Stone Forest’s collections include an extensive selection of vessel and pedestal sinks, bathtubs, furniture, fountains and outdoor sculptures. Raw stones are obtained from quarries located around the world, in countries such as Italy, Spain, Norway and Brazil. Stone Forest’s products express the beauty of nature because they are made from materials from the earth and are not manipulated by machine. The absence of machines and minimal use of chemicals in the crafting process ensures that no harmful emissions are released into the atmosphere. Stone Forest has won numerous awards including the Good Design Award and Interior Design magazine’s Best of Year Award.
