wardian case

Terrarium or more correctly called a vivarium, is an inclosed space that may harbor flora and fauna. Formally, a terrarium is defined by a dry habitat that houses life that is housed under glass that allows for a proper misting, condensation, and water cycle that promotes growth. Earliest forms of glass homes that housed plants indoors were called a Wardian Case, these became popular in the early 19th century to house foreign plants that were not domestic to the surrounding region, specifically ferns. The case was usually made from glass and steel in a rectangular box or cathedral top, and was designed to protect the plants from the noxious air of the industrial revolution. As popularity increased the the shape and sizes of the Wardian case changed over time, it developed in to vases, cloches, bottles, and pilfered apothecary jars.  Notable plants that were popularized in the containers were mainly fern in variety which started pteridomania, meaning fern madness. The craze extended so deeply into the United Kingdom that the need for greenhouses and conservatories (likened to large Wardian cases) were built to house all the collected plants. 

corrugated iron

Corrugated galvanized iron is a functional building material that is massed produced for structures that need to be constructed quickly and efficiently. Due to it's anti-corrosive nature the industrialized steel is used in areas that known for either long monsoon like periods or heavy drought regions. The material was first created in the 1820's by Henry Palmer for the London Dock Company, It was to be utilized for their long standing outposts on the ocean and rivers that had highly corrosive salt air. Later the iron was exported to other countries like India, the US and Australia, where it was used as roofing in manufacturing areas, or in more rural crop and farming areas. Countries like Chile and New Zealand adapted it as their respective identity and became extremely popular in their modern housing boom when mixed with more traditional building materials like brick, wood, steel, and glass. It is also available in a few ranges of other metals other than ferrous alloys, like that of copper, aluminum and stainless steel. 

pallets

The pallet is the one item most people do not see daily, though it is a simple device that changes the way that we do commerce on a global scale. A pallet is a flat surface/platform that is made of wooden slats attached by wooden side rails for the transportation of goods or media that is to heavy for conventional shipping, or for bulk purchases. More modernized pallets are made from plastic and metal, though the most conventional form for them to exist would be made from wood. The pallet has been in use since the days of transportation via train, though the boom of the pallet came in the 1950's with the invention of the forklift and WWII increase in mass production of goods. The wooden gem is currently getting a second look in the form of being up-cycled by craftsmen. Modern ingenuity will not let these guys go to waste, some great examples of repurposing are the pallet house, a wall garden, desk and a favorite; the pallet bed. 

brick

The concept of a brick has been around since prehistory. Originally made from mud, reed and silt then baked in the hot sun, homes were created to be studier than that of ones that were solely made from straw thatching, or logs and leather hides. Brick was the modern form of home building until the invention of steel during the industrial revolution. After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 decimated almost all of the greater Chicago downtown area, buildings were mandated to be built of brick or steel and became the number one building material in the midwest. Today brick is prized for its ability to retain heat or cool and is fantastic when it comes to helping lowering energy cost. It is also used as a medium for upscale construction to bring in an outside element into the home which would not normally be there. Being rustic in nature, the material allows for something being built to look semi imperfect and weathered which is a respite from the straight and ridged lines of modern construction. Heres how to bring brick into your space: a chair, library, candle holders, and sculpture. 

luggage

Even the rustic camper likes to feel that he has seen the world from the outside of a tent. When traveling the globe one must have heavy duty luggage, and they just do not make it the same as they did in years past. A bag that one takes places is known as early as 1596 luggage, which literally means to drag. There are many types of carry-alls, the trunk that is a large wooden box with carpeting interior. The suitcase was later developed into a smaller under 60 pound carry around, and eventually became the tote which is smaller and can usually be carried comfortably in one hand and under a few pounds. One of my favorites is a find that the Luxist came across, and is a 1930's bespoke spirits travel case (seriously cool)! Tumblr is a great resource to find beautiful ideas on inspiration and types. 6th street design school has a wonderful post on inspiration. The key to traveling in style is to bring the things you need in style. 

navy

The winter blues are here, literally in the form of navy. The color of the season gives a little more depth  and masculinity to the home. The color has long and rather uninteresting history. It is popularly used in navies all over the world and usually became their standard uniform color. The first reported use is 1840 England. Navy looks fantastic when paired with darker metals, pecan colored and reclaimed wood. Other colors that bring out some contrast to the hue are oranges, yellows, and greens. Thrive furniture has a rich upholstery fabric named Klein Azure that is a multi weave cotton that looks great on most if not all of their pieces. At West Elm they currently have deeply colored duvets and a beautiful performance velvet fabric in ink. Check them out at Thrive and West Elm. 

andy goldsworthy

Andy Goldsworthy is a English born earth artist. His work explores the way that humans can permanently or semi-permanently change the face of our landscape around us. He uses natural substances, like that of rocks, mud, twigs, ice, and stones to create his art. He plans and then crafts large land art that spans distance and time. The he has several noteworthy sculptures; Roof, Stone River, and Moonlit Path. You can visit him on art net. 

real wood works

Sometimes there is nothing like natural wood in a space to add texture depth and beauty to a space. The Real Wood Works company allows for just that. They create wonderful samples of natural beauty to come into your home. The brand creates tables, shelves, and cutlery out of several types of wood, like that of box elder, pine and pecan. The items are naturally reclaimed from fallen trees. They pride themselves in the fact that all of their items are sustainable and reclaimed. Check out their Etsy site. 

ada blackjack

Available through Etsy, Ada Blackjack is an online retailer of handmade bags and goods. Ivonne Schippers the creator and curator of the company moved to Barcelona from the Netherlands to start a new life. The materials used are individually handcrafted and designed for simplicity and timelessness. Check out her Etsy site and see the classic style for yourself. And for a more in depth look at her line check out her Tumblr site. 

red wing shoes

Red Wing Shoe Company, LLC was established in Red Wing, Minnesota during 1905. The first 10 years, they produced more than 200,000 pairs of shoes a year due to the company producing footwear for US soldiers for World War I and II. The shoes are designed to be light weight and specially designed for heavy duty combat. They are built to be all leather and have a strong slip resistant heal. They are an american hand made shoe and produces under other brands as well. Check out their line on their website redwingheritage.