Minimalism meets hobbit.

Images of a a stunning hotel in Greece via The Style Files:

Compound living.

It's fairly shameful to admit how excited I get when my Domino magazine arrives. To be honest they've let me down a couple of times but, for the most part, I'm a loyal "reader" (more of a drooler to be truthful. It's like the classic cliche of saying you get Playboy for the articles).

The June/July issue has some stunning pictures of the Scandinavian-style Rhode Island home of Carina Schott. The article (which I had trouble reading because I was too busy drooling) says something about them finding the property when it was a run-down collection of separate non-winterized cottage buildings. That black and red combo? Drool, drool, drool.

Artistic decay.

The NYTimes has a neat article about the architecture firm bldgs which is housed (with additional personal living space for one of the principles) in a former automobile electrical-parts business. Very dodgy, very cool.

Beating the blog-apathy.

Man, lately the winter weather in our lovely nation's capital has been sucking my soul. However, browsing through the current issue of Dwell in the store today (I refuse to pay so much for a damn magazine) I came across an article about the stunning work of Montreal architects YH2.






So, once again I am feeling smug and delighted to be a Canadian.

Hopefully this will get me through until the results of the American election come in and (fingers crossed) they finally have a liberal President who (hopefully) will set an example for Canadians about what they should expect from their own leaders. Then I will go back to being revolted about Canadian winter and politics.

Emotional turmoil.

This "sneak peak" post at Design*Sponge has both crushed and inspired me.

I want to weep and pull my hair because I known I will never produce nor inhabit anything this beautiful. But I can't stop looking at the pictures either because they are so damn gorgeous.





Be sure to click on them to get the full impact of a larger photo. Also go check out more pics of Blake Dollahite's home and furniture on his website.

Green and gorgeous.

I am completely drooling over this house for sale in Nevada City, California. Though, as my mother would say "it ain't much if you say it fast", I can't believe the asking price of this place is only $995, 000. It does seem extremely reasonable for:

"Waterside paradise. Enter this estate through the simple contemplative Japanese garden---into the home and the natural beauty beyond. Magestic oaks, pines, cedars and bamboo. Massive granite boulders and hand built trails culminate in one of the most breath- taking runs on a year-round Yuba River tributary. Pools, rapids, beaches and sand bar wrap this natural wonder. A world away from city life yet less than .5 miles from picturesque, quaint Nevada City...restaurants, theaters and shops. *437 feet of waterfront *1.31 acres with southeastern exposure *Handcrafted rammed-earth gem with Japanese joinery/old growth Douglas fir timbers *Separate waterside studio with English garden *Oversized hot tub sheltered by towering trees *Massive granite boulders with grinding holes of an ancient Maidu communal site provide large tables overlooking the water Current owner has carefully guarded the privacy and seclusion of this property. The landscape has been developed with respect and careful consideration for the natural beauty and historical signficance of this site. Meditation trails and stone retaining walls have been built by hand using local stone. Many mature trees and an abundance of native plants enhance the native landscape. No pesticides or herbicides have been used in the maintenance of this property."

And, as if that wasn't enough: "Rammed-earth construction, hydronic radient heated floors, on-demand hot water, low emission Danish wood burning fireplace, corrugated steel roof, southeasten exposure, prepped for solar panels, e-windows on the southeast side. 4x40 storage unit, separate laundry room and cellar."

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to buy a bunch of lottery tickets.

An ode to Frank Lloyd Wright.

From NY Magazine: "In 1950, at 83, Frank Lloyd Wright designed a house for a private island on Lake Mahopac, about 50 miles north of New York City. He dreamed it might surpass Fallingwater, his 1935 masterpiece—but then the client ran short of funds, and the house was shelved for almost 50 years. Now, after eight years of planning and construction, the house is finally complete—5,000 spectacular square feet of mahogany, lake stone, hand-troweled cement, and triangular skylights."





Now that my friends, is how a house should look.

Frank Gehry's east coast retreat.

Well, not really but this is most definitely some architect's long-repressed wet dream. I don't know whether I love it or hate it but I'm sure it raised a few brows amongst the Long Island neighbours. I'd definitely love to see the interior pictures. You just know it can't be boring.

Source: NYTimes