oh my god this is absolutely amazing
One feels you’ve stepped into a fantasy movie, a world of elegant possibilities…
Reading Alcove, San Diego, California
photo via jenny
Almost. That’s what I would say about this reading alcove, it almost fulfills my fantasy of ideal reading spaces. The wholly white shelving is a bit sterile for my taste and I can’t see the lighting, which could be important. It has a lovely view and the alcove is wide but the cushions are inadequate and it wouldn’t be comfortable to lean against those shelves. Also, a filmy curtain or blind would be helpful for days when sitting in the window would feell like a greenhouse. What would your perfect reading space look like?
For those of you who are able to curl up with a book, what do you say to this circular bookcase chair? Is it too clever for its own good? I can’t imagine that it’s terribly comfortable, your legs dangling down against those slats, back church bench straight and absolutely nowhere to put a cup of tea - now what were they thinking!
(For photo credit, click here.)
Tonight I’m thinking about books and how much I like living with them, not just to read but to have around. There is a price to be paid for this though as I’m always running out of places to put them. Fortunately there’s Billy, who has resided in far too many homes for his own good and held the stories of many in his strong body. ’Billy,’ is of course, a popular Ikea bookcase and I have one in my sitting room just waiting to be assembled.
I’m no lover of Billy but it’s practicality I seek at this point. Having searched ‘unusual bookcases’ online, I see there are many less pedestrian options. I love inventiveness that steps out of the box, and here’s two to consider - can one go too far?
I love innovative design but not when it’s cold, harsh or when it isn’t in harmony with its environment. This ‘shell’ house is not exactly in keeping with surroundings but it’s not alien either. It seems to provide a symphonic compromise; clean soft lines to contrast the vertical green around it, low and graceful with the trees sentinels protecting this treasure in their midst. I love this house. I would like to know if this is two separate ‘pods’ or if they are joined somehow, it’s not obvious. What do you think and could you live here?
Thanks to ‘bluepueblo’ again for drawing our attention to this house of possibilities. With £3000 and fed up with rising mortgage costs, Simon Dale and his wife Jasmine Saville built a hobbit eco house. Follow the link to read the article, it’s very interesting. The eco house utilises nearly all natural materials, uses solar energy and heating from one small wood stove, the fridge is cooled from underground ventilation. Presumably a compost toilet? Water was diverted from a nearby burn and look at the result - cosy, not cramped as I imagined, light and very beautiful. It makes you think about what’s possible. Two assumptions died today, that hobbit houses are not fit for use and another, well that’s between me and the clever ‘bluepueblo.’
Here we have the enticing open window again, this time into a world of green. What is it about an open window that is full of possiblity? You feel you could step out into that vast greenness, walk at peace in those tree lined hills and be held in the gentle embrace of nature. You can venture out, or just dream, neither in or out and that’s fine too. You may drag a chair to that lovely wooden frame, wrap your hands around your cup of chai (no, not coffee for me, not even good Brazillian coffee), and gaze at this feast of hills, light and shadow, of Brazillian beauty. The sun is shining today and I am going to fling open windows, out there is beckoning.
Tropical View, Brazil
photo via kari-shma
Twenty beds later and I still haven’t found anything better than what I’ve already got. What do I have? I sleep in my husband’s project, never quite completed. It’s made of Scots pine, substantial, the wood has a pinkish hue and it’s big and chunky. The headboard has a black Victorian fence panel set in it, in a repeating heart like pattern. The baseboard has a black, marbled effect panel set in it, slate made to look like marble. It’s high enough off the ground to allow a view out the window where I look at the garden, a plum tree directly outside the window, and mountains and the sky. It’s height also enables me to store baskets underneath. It’s unfinished because it needs some sanding in places and my husband abandoned it. He likes to start and hates to finish. I don’t care, it’s gloriously comfortable to sleep in and it’s a little piece of Scotland wherever I go.
(all beds can be found by googling “unusual or amazing beds.”)
Now from the sublime to the ridiculous. Can you go too far with an idea - have a look and see what you think? If you take any of these out of the lovely staging, imagine them in an ordinary room -what then? I always think of the things I like to do in bed, the ones I’m prepared to mention anyway. Like drinking tea, reading a book or having two children and a number of cats climb in with me. What about changing them? Design is inspiring, fun and creative but if it’s not fit for purpose, there’s no point. What do you like?
(all these beds can be found by googling “amazing or unusual beds.”)
Inspiration comes from everywhere, often when we’re not aware. Nowhere more so than where we lay our heads, dream and check into the vast unconsciousness. The last two mornings have seen me reluctant to leave my bed, longing for a few more minutes. A few more minutes to not be responsible, to stretch catlike and do what I please.
Today I give you the bed in a variety of expressions. I’m reading a book right now (“Behind the Beautiful Forevers,” Katherine Boo) where many of the characters sleep on the floor. They work each day, scramble for their existence, every day striving to just be able to stand still. We are relatively spoiled for comfort and choice. This post celebrates those choices, from the traditional to the way out there - have fun and sweet dreams!
(all beds can be found by googling “unusual or amazing beds.”)
