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Cool Idea: Real Size Roomscape Curtain
When you're living in a studio, or otherwise short on space, sometimes you must resort to trompe-l'œil effects to fool people into thinking your pad is bigger than it is. But, mirrored sliding doors on your closet are simply too '80s to even consider. Dutch artist Bauke Knottnerus knows what I mean.
Casa Verde: An Energy-Generating Revolving Door
When it comes to sustainable technologies, Royal Boon Edam is truly opening doors. The company has introduced the world's first energy-generating revolving door, which not only saves energy but also generates it with each person who passes through. The door was installed in the Driebergen-Zeist railway station in the Netherlands, which was recently refurbished by RAU, an architect firm specializing in ecological buildings.
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Before and After: A Dull Bath Blossoms
When faced with a dull and drab half bathroom, it's easy to ignore it, since the work to transform the space often seems daunting. However, crafty lady Singalala took her dull and drab bathroom from an eyesore to a standout in one weekend! She writes, "I have been living in my rental house for two and a half years now.
Study Reveals That Men Who Tidy Make the Ladies Happy
In another case of researching the obvious, an Oxford University study shows that women are more attracted to men if they believe they will help out with household chores and contribute equally with childcare. As a lucky woman whose husband does half the housework (and as a woman who has been in the opposite situation with boyfriends and housemates in the past), all I can say is: duh!
The study, which was reported in the Telegraph, examined heterosexual relationships in 13 countries, questioning 13,500 men and women between the ages of 20 and 45 from each country about gender, housework, and childcare responsibilities.
H&M to Launch Homewares Collection in 2009
I may just be speaking for myself here, but I think for most of us (despite good intentions), the new year is a time of failed resolutions. Sad, but true. Such is not the case for H&M, which will embark on a new venture in early 2009, making its foray into the arena of interiors with a range of home textiles and accessories.
Love It or Hate It? Le Clochard Cardboard Quilt
Tired of faux bois? How about faux carboard? This Le Clochard quilt cover (inquire for price), while made of 100 percent soft-combed cotton, looks like it's made from flattened cardboard boxes.
Cool Idea: Recycled Chiquita Banana Box Chandelier
During her time at the Utrecht School of the Arts in the Netherlands, artist Anneke Jakobs salvaged Chiquita Banana boxes and cut out their cheerful banana shapes and iconic logos. She then cleverly arranged them into chandelier form, fastening the cardboard together with cotter pins. Jakobs has made a PDF manual for re-creating her chandelier available on her website, and interested buyers can also email her for pricing.
Casa Verde: Designing For Climate Change
Architect Vincent Callebaut has designed a city that floats on the ocean and can house 50,000 people. Why? Given the projections for rising ocean levels due to melting ice caps, a lot of land, especially coastlines, will be under water in the 21st century.
Cool Idea: Rooftop Bedrooms
Since many families choose to build their bedrooms onto a separate wing, or far end, of a home, doesn't it make sense to put them on another level altogether — such as on a rooftop? Built in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, by the firm MVRDV, is this very cool rooftop house extension, which was added onto an existing home. I love the look of these little house bedrooms, which offer privacy to each family member, and appear to be a tiny village growing atop the existing home's roof.
Coveted Crib: A Converted Chapel
I once brought you a cathedral converted to a bookstore which the general public could enjoy, but this Coveted Crib is a chapel converted to a private residence by Dutch architecture firm ZECC Architecten. ZECC, who once made a house with a water tower, are accustomed to working with unusual mediums. The converted chapel in question is located in Utrecht, Netherlands, and a single family now calls it home.
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