hardwood

Shelving units do not normally take center stage in any room. In offices, the focus is on the desk and even in libraries, the focus is on the books, not the bookcases. This compartmentalized bookcase, designed and manufactured by Wud, deserves to be at the center of attention. It looks a bit like a Tetris construction, although the way that it is sectioned makes it extremely useful for storing many things, in addition to books. The unit has a drop-down desk, two large filing cabinets and several closed cabinets. It can be made of cherry, maple or walnut and measures 94"l x 22" x 96". Price: $8,500.

Filing cabinets do not usually fall into the category of furniture that can be described as classy. Usually made of grey, beige or black metal, the cabinets are tucked away in some back room and are only accessed when a file or record is needed. It's not that the need to be hidden, just that they don't really match anything. Far classier than any standard metal filing cabinets are these Cherry Wood Filing Cabinets from Hammacher Schlemmer, handmade from hardwood harvested in the Adirondack Mountains. The stackable cabinets also have an anti-tip mechanism and can be attached directly to the walls for additional support, if necessary. Price: $1,629.

The words "limited edition" are music to almost any decorator's ears, especially when trying to create a unique look for a home. A cookie-cutter Ikea-type style doesn't necessarily have anything wrong with it, particularly when the design is nice, but products like that tend to be made from less expensive, less durable materials, which isn't as appropriate for a posh estate as it is for a college student. The limited edition Wood Rhino Lounge Chair will give you the look of the plastic, cookie-cutter-esque Rhino ($225) in an elegant hardwood finish. Only three of this elegant piece will be created, so even at $3,500, they're not going to be around for long.

[via BLTD]

It's too bad that the Mercury News didn't run a whole set of photos on this spectacular deck, but since it was featured on the show Designing Spaces, perhaps they didn't feel that it was necessary. The deck was an addition to a San Francisco Bay Area Home that the homeowners, Jeffrey and Toneh Thompson, added to make better use of their wooded, hillside lot. They liked the natural beauty of the property, but wanted some space for playing and dining out. The multi-level, 1,300-sq. foot  deck certainly fulfills their needs and its price of about $150,000 meant that they added the size of another house to their existing home, without shelling out for a big move.

It is made out of a Brazilian hardwood called ipe, which has one of the highest durability ratings of any wood and the same fire rating of materials like steel and concrete. Ipe is the perfect decking material because not only is it strong and long lasting, requiring minimal upkeep, but it is resistant to warping, decay and termites. The highest level of the deck is 25-feet above the ground, designed to provide views along with a dining area and a spa.

The final cost did include landscaping and work on the retaining wall, but the bulk of it went into the deck itself.

 [Image Mercury News]

Associated with a rug because of its shape, this very unique Hardwood Rug is made from thin beechwood and cork. It is so thin, in fact, that it can roll up for easy portability and storage. When unrolled, it covers a 30x59-inch area. The "rug" is designed to add a touch of elegance to spaces that have industrial or concrete flooring, or even to apartments where it is not worth the hassle or expense to lay down full hardwood floors. Price: $249.

Miniature versions of things are often very cute, so it's not a shock when people ohh and ahh over animals. Small size and human-like qualities , combined with dashing good looks, makes pets all the more endearing. This may be part of the reason that pets are often considered to be part of the family, and family members need to me taken care of. Would you make a family member sleep on a pillow in the corner? I think not. A small, cute family member needs a small, cute bed. Dog beds are not only designed to be comfortable for your pet, but to match the decor in your home. This Saigon Day Bed is the perfect example. It comes in hardwood espresso and cherry finishes and is elegant enough to look good in any home. The removable microsuede pillows (not included) come in 22 different color options. It's is just the right size for small dogs, or even a cat, if you can get him to sit still long enough to enjoy it. Price: $298.