Displaying posts from December, 2011

… you’re in for a big surprise. Sometimes mother nature wraps you up in her beauty and takes your breath away. Sometimes architects get this. Sometimes they wrap you up in the beauty they create,  in buildings that address the wonder of the site in which they are placed. I think I am in love with this Dutchess County, New York guesthouse by Allied Works Architecture. Located in a mature deciduous forest of oak, hickory, and birch.  A continuous structural steel frame blurs the boundary between forest and house. It seems to meander, to wind in and out capturing views of the changing seasons.

Loving the connection between inside and out in this extension to an existing Newtown, Sydney house by CplusC architects. The warm tones of the timber finishes against the bright white, the polished concrete providing thermal mass as well as good looks, the expanses of glass and the flow from space to space. A courtyard in the centre of the plan encourages natural ventilation throughout and signifies the transition from the old to the new. “CplusC is an Architectural Workshop. We offer a unique architectural proposition and specialised service – we are architects who offer the capacity to build our own projects. From the initial client brief, through to design, project management and building, the practice is committed to a well-crafted, sustainable and innovative design outcome.”

The holidays have got to me. I admit defeat. My house won’t be decorated, my turkey won’t be, my champagne won’t be French and my christmas cracker hats appear to be plastic… quel horreur (the bad French bit was to cheer up Kim as she approaches her test). The stress. The torture that is the local shopping centre! Do I really need to go back to pick up fresh vegetables a day or so before Christmas? Can we just eat cold ham and roasted potatoes? Dear Santa I need a teahouse at the end of the garden. Somewhere to go to relax, to contemplate, to meditate. Something just like these by Czech designers A1 Architects. Go away holidays! You’ll find me here for the next week or two.

If you’d like to send us photos to include in next week’s “pets on furniture” post, please ensure your photos follow our basic rules: First, the pet must be on a piece of furniture. And said piece of furniture must be clearly visible in the photo, so it takes center stage rather than your pet. Think of it more of a photo of a great piece of furniture that you want to show off…and your pet happens to be sitting on it. And second, the photo must be of decent quality. If it’s dark or fuzzy (from a camera phone) then it may not make the cut. Thanks! (Photos, your name, location and a brief description can be sent to  desiretoinspirekim[@]hotmail[.]com and PLEASE don’t send closeups of your pet!)

This is picture of my two fur kids, Fletcher (on the right) and Gracie, resting on my bed.  Although it gets very crowded and uncomfortable, my husband and I let them both sleep in bed with us.  
– Carolyn (Massachusetts)

I thought you would like this pic of our poodle in a vintage chairs in ours home entryway. Its name is Bolt.
– Karina (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

I have a Dog and a Cat (Yoshimi and Maximiliano) and they love to spend the afternoon sleeping under the sunlight on my bed. I designed and fabricated the bed in aluminum (frame) and stainless steel (headboard).
– Francisco

This is sleepy Mia cuddling with our family dog, and wide-awake Mia on a Thonet chair that I reupholstered and painted.
– Anna (San Francisco)

We brought our new kitten home for the holidays to meet the family dog. Despite their vast difference in size, I think it’s clear who has the power…
– Ansel & Sarah
  

I’ve attached a photo of Fifi and Pierre, my Bichon Frise, on my bed. It has a lovely headboard, and they love getting up amongst the pillows.
– The Distressed Mother

here’s our little (well not so little) rescue cat, Iggy (aka da Monster as we got him on Halloween)! as you can tell, he’s far from camera shy and puts up a great big show for us anytime we have the camera out!
– Jane (Brooklyn, NY)

This is Clifford on his throne (aka his favorite chair)
Sweet little Clifford enjoying the bed as always 🙂
– Emily (Belmont Shore, CA)

My cat, Buttercup, and black lab, Lexi on a chair in Lancaster, PA.
– Chelsea

This is Buster, our Cockapoo, lounging by our newly remodeled fireplace. It’s the warmest spot in the house!
– Carolyn (Camarillo, CA)

A teeny tiny apartment in Pohořelec in the Castle area of Prague by A1 Architects. A mere 57 square meters in a 19th century building. Designed as a long term rental (and hence I’m assuming its somewhat spartan decoration) it offers clever ideas for small space living. By incorporating the kitchen into the hallway and opening it through to the combined dining living area the space seems larger than it is. Love the splash of lime green adding life to an otherwise white canvas.