Slim Paley photo
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I’m absolutely stark raving mad about WOOD, particularly old wood, so compiling the images for this post was a labour of love for me. The photo above is of our octagonal porch in Sun Valley. The floors are reclaimed wood, with a stone border running round the perimeter. The walls are “papered” in real birch bark with thin switches of willow where the sheets of bark meet. Finding a tradesperson to do the installation was more difficult than, well, childbirth would only be a slight exaggeration, but where there’s a will there’s a way, right people?! Besides, you forget all about it when it’s over 
The speakers, electrical outlets and switch plates were all faux painted to disappear. My painter did such a great job but I’m not going to show you because I’ve been told to stop pointing out my “fauxed” stuff to everyone or there’s no point in “faux-ing” it. (Maybe I’ll sneak you a picture later) The fire place is river rock and metal with a very large single beam of old wood for the mantle. The light fixture is antique. One of my carpenters made the little octagonal table for me and the furniture is just indoor/outdoor wicker. In the summertime the windows can be removed and the room becomes a screened porch. I love to sit out here with my tea in the morning, watching the squirrels pick the bark off the railings we paid extra to find with bark, and listen to the river rushing by. Heaven.
Click here for the best “Wood” song ever
Norwegian Wood
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Slim Paley photo
The house during construction. The octagon porch is to the far rear left.
Slim Paley photo
Squirrel handiwork on the porch in Sun Valley
Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto‘s 172 sq/ ft. bungalow with several different living levels.
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“Conversation Unique” by Yvonne Fehling and Jennie Peiz (Gallery S. Bensimon)
DSquared Eau de Toilette for men
Slim Paley photo
A boy’s bathroom in Sun Valley.
The backsplashes and counter are zinc, vintage trough sink from the U.K. All the wood is reclaimed. The sink fixtures are copper plumbing pipes plated in nickel. (See early S.P. post “Pssst- Wanna Buy a Faucet?” Sept.09, for more S.V. bathroom photos)
Stella McCartney wood cage handbag
How splendid is this?
If I were a chic little Fairy with modern taste I would live in it!
Anyone know what hotel this is in NY?? I lost my credit- perhaps The Crosby St.?
Wood iphone cases at;
Shoe photo from Italian Vogue
Matteo Thun for Rapsel
Wooden radiators by i.radium.
Slim Paley photo
A bedroom in Sun Valley.
Steeply pitched roof lines starting low on the bed wall and soaring toward the fireplace on the opposite wall help to create a very cozy haven.
Feu de Bois candle by Diptique
This is one of my favourite scents (burning wood) by Diptique
Rapsel wooden sink
wooden toilet seat cover
Yvette Laduk wool blend rug
Slim Paley photo
Front Porch in Sun Valley.
Alexandre Moronnoz‘s park bench can be added to and twisted at any given point to make legs or armrests
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Nasomatto Perfumes
Slim Paley photo
Wild flowers in an old wooden…thingy- Sun Valley
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I can almost smell the woodsy fragrance coming off your post. I was just about to go to bed when I heard the “ping” of an email coming in. SO glad I checked and saw this new post. Thanks, Slim.
Amazing creativity throughout the woods!
Lovely post Slim. Many of the images remind me of my family place on Lake Tahoe where I spend the summers, built in 1910. Am spending this summer deep in the woods for the first time, (except Maui of course) just returned from visiting friends in Bolinas and Muir Woods, a total and complete delight in all ways, 2000 year old redwoods, nothing like it. The fragrance alone!
Hi Gaj
2,000 year old redwoods- my heart can’t take it! I would love to sneak into The Bohemian Club some day…
Where and what is Muir Woods, pardon my ignorance- it sounds so beautiful.
As for the fragrance of trees, for me there is nothing quite like the scent of the Arbutus trees on the Gulf Islands off the coast of British Columbia.
Oh, forgot to mention the Redwood Room at the Clift Hotel in SF. Been going there since childhood literally, and just re-visited, speaking of wood! (a la Phillipe Stark however but kept pretty much intact, what’s to improve?)
Wow! You have my attention . . . I too love wood (and leather) and yet live in Florida
where the season is a tropical one 24/7. I don’t think my little cabin in upper Michigan counts since I feel like a girl scout at camp up there. At least it has a water view. Back to wood items; I missed the Maloofs at Gump’s . . did anyone go???
The recipes I wanted to download were the one with Prosecco and the other with blueberries.
I don’t believe I found this through you . . . luggage tags with a picture of a woman from the fifties that say “we all have our baggage” and “I love not camping” . . . from Flight 001.
I also have been saving little coin purses/cosmetic bags by Rebecca Minkoff and others that say “Benjamins” (long black leather perfect size
and “Jesus Saves” – a bit irreverent.
Love your posts – they inspire me, excite me, and make me laugh at the total whimsey!!!
Keep up the good work. me
Thanks M.E.
I LOVE the “I Love not camping! ” too! I have the postcard- I thought perhaps I might have even used it on an old post. too funny!
I love this post…my mom has always been crazy about all things wooden but mostly it is things like wooden bowls made in Vermont, hand made cooking utensils in every size and shape, shaker boxes, combs…I can’t wait to show her your post. It takes the wooden thing to a whole new level. I am off to the Brimfield Flea Market today with a new eye for collecting and design!
I went to Brimfield once, many years ago. It was so much fun! Have a great time.
hi slim,
just beautiful. i really love that porch. i bet it is beautiful in the winter! i love it when you include images of your life in these posts. have a fantastic day.
~janet
Brilliant post!!
Wood is my all-time favourite material and I love how you’ve used it in your house.
Am also very fond of Feu de Bois and Black Afgano.
Here’s a very woodsy project a couple of friends did in Montana – if you like birch you might like the master bed.
http://www.elledecor.com/image/tid/1970?page=10
A wonderful post….thank you!
Hope you have some time in SV this year…and soon. It’s a banner year for wild flowers on hikes this summer. It seems from any perch, oh high, when you look below, it is a sea of bloom.
I want to go to Sun Valley and hang out on the porch!!!
Yellowstone Old Faithful Inn worth the visit but go in Fall
or early spring. oxooxR
Can girls use the boys’ bath? I love the no fuss, I’m on a break from life feel. The zinc intriques me.
Last night I received your post and an email from a friend summering in Tahoe with photos of a woody place they leased–even though I’m at the beach I can smell the woods.
Thank you for all the great posts.
The rustic rails on the porch are fabulous as are those shoes!!
Beautiful post….the SV house is amazing.
xo
I am sooo in love with your porch and the scenery. Sheer heavenly gorgeousness!
Yes , I am in love with entire post. Those flowers in the wooden thingy. Soooo Beautiful.
Your Lodge is fabulous.
Happy Thursday xo
I’ve sat on that porch on a sunny day while sipping a mojito …..it was o.k
Your homes are amazing…great post.
I too have sat on that porch sipping a smart adult beverage and yes I concur .. it is WAY okay!!
Cozy and beautiful!
You can almost hear the peaceful silence screaming from those Sun Valley photos… and the screams of claustrophobia coming from that little Japanese bungalow.
l love the skill and passion that goes into beautiful carpentry and masonry. I’m most envious of all my guy pals who got to take shop in upper school—-I seem to recall that back in the day it wasn’t even an option for girls…(grrrr) In fact, I do believe the Bohemian Club still excludes women (unless, of course, they are serving food). Oh well, there’s always the Oak Room.
Beautiful post—once again.
I remember having one of those toy view finders when I was a little girl. One of the “reels of pictures” that I loved best was the one of Sun Valley. I used to dream about it years ago, but hadn’t thought about it much until this post. The pictures of your place warms and awakens a part of my heart that I thought had all but disappeared with age. Thank you for taking me back, Slim.
Is the hotel picture one designed by Courtney & Bob Novogratz of Sixx Design?
Their show never revealed a court yard picture – but elements look a lot like
interiors featured on their show 9 by design on Bravo. I am NOT affiliated except
as a great fan – the whole family watches (ok, not Dad). But 18 and 14 yr old creative
type kids and me/Mom.
Maybe so Linda- I don’t recall where I found the photo, but we love that show too! (including my husband) The children are so adorable and I admire how low key and relaxed Courtney remains amidst the utter chaos that is their life!
Is the hotel picture one designed by Sixx Design? Their tv show
featured interior views and some elements in your picture are similar.
Love getting your blog each day (nearly)! Thanks.
Great post, loved your selections!
Cheers,
Claudia
My, what a fabulous house. I imagine it’s utterly lovely sitting on that porch and overlooking the mountains!
I think its time for a book Slim……
Another amazing post, I come from
a lumber background in Scotland
http://www.rembrandtimber.com/