Health Benefits of Solid Wood Furniture

Atwood Bed by Crate and Barrel 

Atwood Bed by Crate and Barrel 

Usually when we think of solid wood furniture, words that come to mind are "quality" "durable" or "valuable". But another unexpected benefit of wood furniture is that it is healthier for you! Especially if zero or low VOC finishes are used.

The danger in the alternatives to solid wood, which are particleboard, MDF and other glued and pressed woods, is that the adhesives contain formaldehyde that is released into the air you breathe possibly causing eye, nose or respiratory problems. Yikes! It can take 5-10 years for particleboard to completely offgas. 

If you do have a piece of furniture that you are concerned about, keeping it away from heat helps as well as keeping the temperature and humidity inside your home to a moderate level. Another option is to seal it. 

Admiring Heather Levine // Wall Hangings

Heather Levine Wall Hangings | via The Honest Home

I keep seeing photos on various Instagram feeds of visits to the General Store in Venice, CA. An item that catches my eye each time is a ceramic wall hanging from Heather Levine. I investigated a little further and she, not surprisingly, makes many more amazing wall hangings and other products like pendant lights, bowls and birdhouses. 

Website  |  Instagram 

all photos via HeatherLevine.com

020: Interior Designer Casey Keasler

When Casey Keasler was about 10 years old her parents built a house on her grandparents 40 acre farm. She was able to tag along during the whole process. That experience sparked a passion for design that would continue to evolve even while Casey was working in the design industry.

Casework Website  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest  |  Twitter  |  Tumblr

LISTEN ON ITUNES

::more show notes below::

Casey Keasler for Tanner Goods, LA

Casey Keasler for Tanner Goods, LA

Casey Keasler for Tanner Goods, LA

Casey Keasler for Tanner Goods, LA

Casey Keasler for Tanner Goods, LA

Casey Keasler for Tanner Goods, LA

Casey graduated from University of Tennessee College of Architecture and Design with a Bachelor of Science in Interiors.
Worked in the interior design industry while living in New York, DC, Chicago, Denver and is now in Portland. 
Worked at Tanner Goods and helped design and install their Portland and LA store, giving her a new passion for a more hands on approach to design. (Pictured above.)
Started and is now building a brand called Casework. 
Mistake Learned From
"Measure twice cute once!"
Favorite Quote
"It is good to have an end to your journey; but it is the journey that matters, in the end." - Ernest Hemingway 

One Trend That She Loves
Normcore
Not so much
Karate chopping pillows. (Haha!) 
Biggest Challenge
Balance - working 70-80 hours a week (while loving it) but needing to find time for friends
One Piece of Advice
In life - Trust your instincts 
In design - Have a reason for everything you do
Favorite Book
The Architecture of Happiness - by Alain De Botton
Dream Client 
Someone who wants to be involved in the process. Environments should be an extension of a personality so she needs to be able to see their story and their personality. 

Thinking Summer // Small Adventure

I know it's only February, and that a lot of the US is socked in with snow today. But I have issues with thinking about summer and getting outside as soon as the holidays are over. Every year. Especially since our local Target took down the Christmas decor and replaced it with patio furniture and grilling supplies on pretty much the 1st of January. I start to feel done with the short days, and pine for the days we all be at the beach after work on a weekday. 

I've always loved Small Adventure prints and cards. They capture so much of what is great about being outside and enjoying nature. I've been slowly working my way through their set of 8 cards each time I have a special occasion to send someone a card. 

Prints and Cards by Small Adventure on Etsy

We had our own small adventure to the mountains a few weeks ago. We headed from the coast to the mountains for a few nights. We played in the snow and dipped our feet in the lake. The smell of the pine trees in the sunshine made me giddy for summer camping. 

Trip to the mountains

How about you? Planning any adventures? 

To the trade design documentation.