Initially when you look at these pictures you might think that it could be paper, but in fact it’s actually wood. How cool is that ? These amazing pieces were created by Elisa Strozyk, a young designer from Germany, that is able to turn blocks of wood into delicate paper-like material.

So far she has created wooden rugs, bed covers, table cloths and is working on a line of wooden clothes. Elisa Strozyk has been researching ways to provide wood with textile properties in testing methods to make wood flexible and soft, or interweave textile elements. One of the processes to design a flexible wooden surface is its deconstruction into pieces, which are then attached to a textile base. The wood is cut by hand or laser cut, and all tiles are stuck by hand to compose a textile-like surface.

She spent months working on her original idea, experimenting with different types of wood, until she settled on wood veneer. The slices of wood she uses are about 0.6 mm thick and very flexible, an essential property for her wooden textiles. But not all types of wood can be used to make wood fabric; oak, for example, is too brittle, so she prefers to use cherry and maple. We think that Elisa creations are really innovation and in the future we’d like to see some curtains made by using this new and innovative technology.

Finally here is a video where you can see Elisa Strozyk talking about her work.

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Pool terraces are one of the most spectacular ways to expand your home and give it that fresh, holiday feel. And since summer is just around the corner, what better way to welcome it, than preparing our crib for the great moments that come with the season. For today, we decided to dedicate a post to those of you thinking of building a poolside terrace, or remodeling your existing one. We put together a post with thirty photos, each of them displaying ideas that should get you inspired, whether you choose to go with an infinity pool design, or a small pool surrounded by vegetation and cozy chairs or canopy beds. You can opt for a themed terrace with wooden decks, or a minimalist one made of concrete- either way, pay attention to the smallest details and decorative elements, as they can make all the difference. Saving some outdoor space for a dining table is also something you should consider when making plans for a poolside terrace. Enjoy the photos, remember the details you like best and don’t forget to share your thoughts with us.

source: Hyrahus Phuket resort

source: Luca Colombo

source Laguna homes

source Anguilla Villas

source Kokai Studios

by Antoni Associates

source Kupu Kupu Barong resort

source Nico Van Der Meulen Architects

source Ole Scheeren

source Guz Architects

source OKHAsource Tortola Villa

source Juma Architects

source: MAGMA ARQUITECTURA

source Longhi Architects

source Mario Martins Atelier

via www.mwanzoleo.co.za

via SAOTA

via Metropolis Design

source Juma Architects

by architect Steve Kent

source Laidlaw Schultz Architects

source Leading Luxury Real Estate

source Villa Towanda

source Leading Luxury Real Estate

source: Pete Bossley Architects

via SPG Architects

source: Bel Air Residence

source Leading Luxury Real Estate

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Since the cold season is acting up, we thought we would find some decorating ideas that will keep you indoors, enjoying every minute. Bringing letters and words into your home is a great way to add freshness and creativity. This is why, for today, we gathered quite a few colorful and creative interiors, all of them featuring writing decorations. Whether you choose to integrate a single significant letter in your home, or go with a message or a phrase that takes up an entire wall of a room, the result will bring an original touch. Letters of any size and color make for great additions in the children’s room or in a living room with a playful style. Entire words (baby’s names or general adjective characterizing the space) can be placed anywhere in the house, for a cheerful effect. And last, messages. Feel free to write entire phrases on the walls- the wittier they are, the more they enrich the crib’s personality. If you can do this while maintaining an overall indoor visual harmony, then you are in for a cool home makeover.

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As we are slowly approaching summer, we find these photos of  White Pearl Chalet highly refreshing. Designed by Philippe Capezzone and located between the village of Val d’Isère and the Funival funicular in La Daille, in the French Alps, the rustic home we decided to feature in this post inspires peacefulness and relaxation. Once inside, a potential visitor is likely to be impressed by the elegant interior design blending rustic details with a high level of comfort. The open plan living and dining space sets the tone for a memorable experience. Exposed wooden beams, fluffy cushions, a stone fireplace and a dining table perfect for a group of friends is more than enough to make each stay here enjoyable. The villa boasts five en suite bedrooms, with great views of the French Alps, and can be booked all year round. How do you find its overall design?

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Looking for unconventional materials to build a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing home? Designed by studio James & Mau Arquitectura and built by Infiniski, the unusual looking Casa El Tiamblo was developed using four 40-feet shipping containers. But as you will certainly observe from the photos below, the residence has a highly intriguing appearance, ranking high in originality. The blue containers give the home a playful exterior and a dynamic one as well. The interiors are surprising to say the least. Subtle rustic decorative elements and wood accents are mixed with modern furniture units. The result?- an elegant home, filled with warmth and inspiring decors, one that does not betray the fact that it was constructed using shipping containers. You tell us if you find this approach bad or good; to us, it is simply crazy (in a good way!). [Photos by Pablo Sarabia]

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Piet Hein Eek is a Dutch designer best known for his scrapwood furniture range that he creates using scraps of reclaimed wood. Each piece of beautiful, timeless and unique furniture is lovingly hand-crafted by Eek and is designed and made to last.

Eek first started producing furniture from reclaimed materials in 1990 when he designed and made the scrapwood cupboard as a reaction against the prevalent craving for flawlessness. According to Eek he wanted to show that products that aren’t perfect can still appeal to our sense of aestetic and functionality. He also wanted to design a product that could be made with limited means and a material that was abundant.

Over the years, Eek has become very adept at seeing materials and techniques that are available for design, but that are not being used for that purpose. He sees the value in materials that others would perhaps class as waste and he transforms them into surprisingly efficient and lasting pieces of furniture.

In a world where minimalism has reigned for so long it is great to see designers that are doing the opposite of minimal. The process that Eek uses to create his masterpieces not only takes a great deal of time but also gives the objects a strong visual and tactile effect. Unlike mass produced churned out goods, the whole value of Eek’s pieces lies in the time and the process that is used to create them.

What do you think about these products? Would you buy furniture made from reclaimed and waste materials? Let us know.

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Designed by CMV Architects to welcome guests in Barcelona’s central Raval neighbourhood, Hotel Barceló Raval offers an oval silhouette to the city skyline and a mixture of  avant-garde interior design and fascinating atmosphere. Within this oval tower there are 182 rooms and 4 suites combining light, color and textures in an unforgettable collection of settings. Pet-friendly and luxurious, this impressive hospitality establishment provokes imagination with the use of vivid colors and sophisticated furniture. Each private room or suite has an iPod docking station, Wi-Fi Internet access and a Nespresso coffee maker. Changing from elegant during the day to bold and sophisticated at night, the hotel mirrors the rhythm of the pulsing city. On the splendidly simple roof top terrace offering 360º views of the city, a swimming pool solarium welcomes guests wishing to bathe in the enchanting atmosphere.

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Graux & Baeyens architecten designed Project House GS, an impressive 19th century corner building, located right on the beach and overlooking the port city of Ghent, Belgium. The architects restored the initial structure and also gave it a contemporary appearance. According to the developers, “the project started by stripping the dilapidated house of all excess. The essence was conserved by means of the façade, the stairwell and the roof truss, each of them serving as a rough coat to envelop the new spaces.The rooms and living spaces are conceived as a stack of volumes, a white sculpture inserted in the existing casing. Several strategically located cutouts offer a variety of well-defined views“. The interiors of the residence showcase a visually appealing contrast between old and new. The layout of the house is original as well: bedrooms are located on the ground floor and the living area on the first floor. The kitchen and dining room occupy the top level, which also shelters an adjacent enclosed patio.

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Vivanta by Taj is a new opulent hotel in Maldives, combining the charm of a timber and thatch exterior with exquisite details of interior design. Located in a majestic natural setting, with exotic ocean views and dramatic sunsets, this new hotel detaches itself from the rustic idea of bungalows and promises visitors a luxurious holiday with all the comfort of modern living included: “The twist comes when you step into your villa and instead of the usual beach decor, find a streamlined, sophisticated take on resort accommodations. Vivanta by Taj has revamped the resort experience from stem to stern and offers the ideal escape at a stunning value proposition“. Guests can choose between a variety of room types, from thatched beach villas with large beach-side porticoes to water villas, with private decks looking out to the lagoon.  The resort is a traveler’s dream destination, with numerous diving sites and it’s very own reef and shipwreck to explore.

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Redesdale Residence was designed by Space International and is located in Los Angeles, California. The home was integrated in a scenic landscape: “perched high on a ridge-line with sweeping views of the Silverlake reservoirs this custom residence operates as a barrier from the street-side activity while opening up the interior spaces to the panorama beyond. A tiered split level section allows each of the primary areas: the eating, living and sleeping spaces, to have autonomy from one another while giving each a specific connection to the adjacent outdoor spaces and views“. With an exterior blending wood, concrete and glass, the Redesdale home falls in a category that we often see here on Freshome, that of modern and minimalist residences, embraced by the ones looking for a comfortable and opulent way of living. How would you comment on the design features of this US home? [Photography by Joshua White & Steve King]

You're reading Modern Concrete, Wood and Glass Home in LA: Redesdale Residence originally posted on Freshome. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Freshome on Twitter, Facebook and Google+