The Olde Mill's Engineered Beams

The floor at the GHBA Product Expo. 

This week has been a busy week for me and my team. Yesterday, I attended the Greater Houston Builders Association Product Expo, where I met some really outstanding builders, contractors and designers. It was such a great experience for me and a great way to expand my network in Texas. I'm really looking forward to working with some of my new contacts on some future projects. 

Today, I'm on my way back to Louisiana!

For this month's post, I thought I'd take a moment to share my latest video. If you're not familiar with the pieces that I make through my company, The Olde Mill, then this is a great introduction.

If you are familiar, I'd appreciate it if you shared it with others in the industry who might be able to use a product like our engineered beams. The light weight of these beams makes them easy to install at any stage in the construction process.

Thanks for your continued support!

Let Some Light In: Floor Lamps That Will Floor You

No room is complete without a good lamp. Even if you have floor-to-ceiling windows, that let in all of the natural light, your space needs a lamp. Give yourself some light once the sun has gone down AND add a little of your personality. With the huge range of lamps available, from companies all over the world, you can find the one that casts the right light and says something about you.

Floor lamps can be divided into three main types: arc lamps, stand lamps, and tripod lamps. Each type comes with its own pros and cons. Choose based on the needs, and style, you have in mind for your space.

Stand Lamps 

This is the most common type of floor lamp - a lamp that stands on it's own, straight and proud. Because it is the most common, it comes in a range of styles, color, and finishes. You can get interesting, and whimsical, pieces that have the ability to bring a lot of life to your space. Let your personality shine!

This stand lamp gives off a clean, mid-century vibe. Source. 

This gorgeous art nouveau stand lamp would be the star of any room. Source. 

Whimsical bird-perch stand lamp. Source. 

This stand lamp doubles as a table or shelving. Source. 

This pencil stand lamp would be a great accent in a children's - or writer's - room. Source. 

This stand lamp offers a little storage. Source. 

This rocket ship stand lamp is both modern and fun. Source. 

The fun lines of this stand lamp contrast the modern lines of the wall decor. Source.

Arc Lamp

Arc lamps come with a stand or pedestal that is curved or bent. This is a great option for someone who wants the drama of a chandelier or hanging pendant but can't make it work in the space. The curve of the lamp's stand allows the light to hang.

An arc lamp will also provide a little more direct light for people sitting on the sofa or at a dining table than a stand lamp - keep that in mind if you are an avid reader. 

Because these lamps take up more space than stand lamps, you need to think about furniture in the room. These lamps look big. You want the ensure the lamp is proportional for the space and doesn't overwhelm other furniture. 

This arc lamp provides a great alternative to a hanging pendant lamp or chandelier. Source. 

The wire cafe of this arc lamp gives it an industrial feel. Source. 

This arc lamp provides a little bit better reading light than your average floor lamp. Source. 

This arc lamp can be adjusted to fit the height of surrounding furniture. Source. 

A rose gold arc lamp lends a very modern feel to this space. Source. 

The paper shade of this arc lamp lends a soft light to this bright space. Source. 

The added texture on this arc lamp's light shade adds some interest to this clean space. Source. 

This arc lamp adds big visual interest. Source. 

Tripod Lamps

With the rise in popularity of mid-century modernism, tripod lamps themselves are increasing in popularity. These lamps have three legs, usually made of a wood, and a top-mounted light source. They're often shorter than stand lamps, and the light they cast is more angled downward; that is, unless you get a lamp with a more novel light source. These lamps work best in corners of rooms, or out of the way of foot traffic. You don't want to trip over one of the lamp's legs.

This tripod lamp draws the eye when displayed against the space's monochromatic palette. Source. 

This tripod lamp makes clever use of a vintage Cadillac head lamp. Source. 

The added swing element of this tripod lamp makes it feel more industrial. Source. 

Reclaimed objects, like this vintage tripod lamp, work well with a rustic look. Source. 

With a globe shade, this tripod lamp casts light in every direction. Source. 

This simple tripod lamp complements the existing furniture. Source. 

Home of the Future: These Designers are Revolutionizing Home Decor with 3D Printing

At one point, it sounded like something out of a sci-fi movie: push a button and "print" a sofa for your home in minutes. Thanks to new technology in the field of additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, we're not too far from that reality.

Source

With 3D printing, manufacturers use advanced machines to "print" either entire pieces or parts for pieces. Usually, extremely hard plastic or silicone builds up the piece, but some makers are branching out to metals and even wood. 3D printing can be much faster, and much more affordable, than traditional furniture making methods. These machines work more quickly than people and can produce furniture around the clock. And the materials they use are readily available, cheap, and durable.

Source

Additive manufacturing also allows manufacturers to produce pieces that would be extremely difficult or even impossible with traditional furniture-making methods: 3D printers can make full use of 3D space and aren't hindered by the effects of gravity. Furniture makers are no longer bound by the limitations of furniture-making methods like inject-molding or routing. They are free to make incredibly complex pieces that are beautiful in their intricacy.

Source

Source

Source

The latest designs from the world's top brands are both functional and pleasing to the eye. And, combined with traditionally-manufactured or natural pieces, such as fabric, cushions, wood legs and platforms, and more, these 3D pieces are becoming a comfortable staple in homes and offices everywhere.

Source

Source

Source

Most 3D printed pieces have an organic, natural look to them; some go as far as to appear "futuristic." Manufacturers take advantage of these design features to minimize the amount of plastic used in the piece, which lessens the weight.

Source

Source

Source

Source

Many of these pieces, especially those with an emphasis on natural forms, would be right at home in a mid-century modern space. Those with eclectic tastes shouldn't have any problem incorporating them, either.

Source

Source

Source

For more traditional spaces, you will need to add additional pieces made from similar textures and colors, to further incorporate your 3D printed piece.

Source

Souce

Source

Source

If your space has modern feel, try to choose pieces in the same color scheme as your home. Softer, ombre or pastel pieces will look jarring in a space that is clean and minimalist.

Source

Source

Source

With further advances happening in 3D printing everyday, we might not be too far away from printing a sofa in our living room at the press of a button.