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Family Learns to Love Discomfort – LifeEdited
Tiny hillside cottages
Hello everyone! How has your week been? I haven’t had much time to peruse the web but I did find this fabulous post over on Remodelista and I had to share it with you…
Here’s a little synopsis of the project:
On a steep, wooded lot in Mill Valley, California, the challenge was to add two studio spaces—one for an artist, one for yoga—without disturbing the soaring redwood trees that surrounded an existing main house.
“We definitely wanted to make this project as ‘green’ as possible, and to have it be visually integrated into the land,” said architect Jonathan Feldman. The solution was two separate buildings, nestled on flat sites against the hillside. The lower studio, visible from the windows above, got live plants on the roof, mimicking a common style in environmentally conscious European cities. (In Stuttgart, for example, green roofs cover 25 percent of the real estate, the result of public policy originating with Europe’s “green party” movements in the 1970s.) Here’s how Europe’s modern vernacular translates to Northern California:
I just love the rooftop gardens!
Ample light and simple finishes help the interior blend well with the natural setting…
Don’t you just love these!? Innovative, green and yes…downsized.
Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms out there!
All images via here.
Take your work into the garden: Shed turned Office Space
Hello there! How have you been enjoying Spring? With the warmer months approaching and the sun showing its face more often, it can be a little dreary sitting in my office. In Oregon, when the sun shines, you need to get OUTSIDE! That’s why I just love this idea of turning an outdoor shed into a work space…
All images via here.
Small Spaces: The Ultimate Shopping Resource
Hi all! Hope you are doing well! Been a hectic week for me, as usual but I did manage to stumble upon this gem of an article via apartmenttherapy.com and I had to share it with you. Go check out this fabulous shopping resource list for all the items you might need to furnish your tiny space.
Go here for the full list! Happy Shopping and have a wonderful weekend!
Image via here.
Weekend Getaway – The Shack
As the weather warms, many Oregonians begin to plan camping trips – and why wouldn’t they? We are surrounded by beautiful, wild forests, mountains, rivers and lakes. It’s a natural playground that we all cherish…but for some, pitching a tent might be…well…a stretch. So how about a “Shack”?
Constructed by the architectural team at Broadhurst Architects this creative project – aptly named, “The Shack” was the perfect solution for one family’s desire to have a simple, yet comfortable weekend getaway minus all the tent set up. Located on the southern slope of South Fork Mountain, near Upper Tract, West Virginia the occupants enjoy the year round beauty of the rolling hills and pastures.
Here’s the description from the architects themselves –
“The shack was created as a logical step between tent camping, and the yet unrealized weekend cottage. This fundamental shelter has no electricity. Oil lamps provide light. Heat is provided by a small wood stove, which is also used to heat water that is delivered to the “kitchen” sink by a gravity system. The vertical drop is achieved by using a hand-powered bilge pump to fill an overhead storage tank. Rain water is collected from the roof as part of the outdoor shower system. Acknowledging the constant struggle between mouse (and occasionally rattlesnake and bear) and man, the shack sits upon four wood posts with rodent barriers, a detail borrowed from local corn cribs. The board and batten siding is locally milled pine. The roof is standing-seam terne.
The southeastern façade of the building is opened to a cantilevered wood deck with an overhead-acting aluminum and glass garage door. A removable canvas awning serves to shade the deck and extend the living space during wet weather. Small windows on the northwestern façade allow the mountain breezes to flow through the building, and allow occasional views of cows on the adjacent pasture.”
Clearly, a lot of thought went into meeting the owner’s needs while maintaining a simplistic and environmentally friendly take on the project. Love that!
So wouldn’t you take this place over a tent? I would!
Have a fantastic weekend!
All images via here.
Cool Hotels: Treehotel
Hi all! Hope your week has treated you well!
I’m excited to share this unique and innovative hotel with you today…check out the Treehotel in beautiful Harads, Sweden…
This is just one of the five “tree-houses” that you can book for your stay! So cool! Built on the pillars of green architecture and conservation these amazing, modern structures seem to float midair among the tree tops. Talk about getting away from it all…literally!
The Treehotel guests enjoy an amazing bird’s eye view of the world. Leave all your stress on the forest floor.
I could spend all day in bed with a good book, gazing out through the forest. So peaceful, right?
Guest enjoy showers, hot meals and other modern amenities at the main lodge (on the forest floor) complete with warm and friendly hospitality!
What an amazing experience! I just love seeing such creative use of materials and space! Go check out all the rooms and more information here.
Have a fabulous weekend.
Images via here.
Cabin in the Woods
Hi all! I don’t know about you but the days seems to be zipping by, it will be Spring in no time! This week in Portland we were lucky enough to get a nice dose of some SUNSHINE – much needed!
Today, I have for you a fabulous structure created by Olson Kundig Architects – a 1000 sq. ft. weekend retreat in Mazama, Washington. This minimalist, steel and glass building is surrounded by the beauty and organic forms of nature which creates a striking contrast…
I love the sleek furniture that is warmed by the raw wood walls.
When the owner decides to go back to urban grind, he uses this hand crank to completely close up the house with steel shutters.
A captivating location all year round!
What do you think? Would you spend a weekend tucked away in this modern tower?
Have a fantastic weekend,
All images via here.
Saving space: Wall hung toilets
Hello there! How has your week been? As usual, mine has been a whirlwind of activity – in a good way!
My downsizers are always looking to save space and make the most of their square footage and a tiny bathroom can prove challenging, that’s why I just love these wall hung toilets. Typically seen in commercial installations, these compact, sleek designs are showing up in downsized homes all over the world. They are easier to clean, save precious room and look great too! Gotta love that!
All images via Houzz.com
Glorified Granny Flat in Seattle
Hello everyone! We had breaks of sunshine today in Portland and it just made my Friday! Finding this fabulous, glorified Granny Flat with wonderful design and green building elements has only added to my sunny mood! I had to share…
Isn’t it gorgeous? With stunning standing seam copper walls and cedar wood…it makes quite the impact on the landscape! The resident family lives full time in the main house but with growing needs and regular visitors, this granny flat with full kitchen, bathroom, guest room, office and play room was the perfect solution!
Love that rolling ladder that leads up to the loft area – it’s made of salvaged wood and parts too!
For the full story and building details check out the article here on Dwell and visit with the brilliant architects – Ninebark – who created this beautiful structure.
Have an inspired weekend!
All images via here.
French Garage Makeover
Hi all! Happy New Year!
I’m getting back into the swing of things finally and today, I have a fabulous garage make-over to share with you – all the way from Bordeaux! (You all know how I have a thing for garage projects!)
This tiny 441 sq. ft. space was designed by the ingenious team at FABRE/deMARIEN.
Check this out before shot…dull, dingy and dark.
Pretty fantastic right? To check out the project in its entirety and read more about the process please go here.
