icelandic turf houses

I recently received a postcard from a friend who had just got back from Iceland, a mysterious place where the locals dine on putrefied shark and more than half the population believes in elves. But enough of that ol' chestnut - I'm more interested in these turf houses.Turf houses are naturally well-insulated and the roofs provide natural drainage. Some were even built using whalebones as internal beams when wood was in short supply. All this hullaballoo about green roofs in Montreal and other North American cities when, really, the technique was perfected about a zillion years ago by people with last names too long to fit on caller ID. Typical.

terrarium hilarium

If a garden is a domesticated forest, then a terrarium certainly keeps nature on a short leash. Beloved by interior decorators of both the Victorian era and the 1970s, I think it's time terrariums made a comeback.Terrariums are apparently way low maintenance because the glass container will capture moisture and keep everything happy and humid. The lowest maintenance of all, however, comes from a terrarium that doesn't even have plants in it.Currently reading this terrarium tutorial and nodding to myself. Yes, okay, I could do that/will do that/am doing that.

one man's ceiling is another man's floor

City living according to Los Angeles artist Ana Serrano.

picture this

If my life were a comic strip, I would live in the textured, whimsical world of Finnish artist Jaakko Pallasvuo. Even if this will never be a reality, the least I can do is hang a printout of his work on my wall.

cabinets of curiosity

The way someone fills their house with things can tell you a lot about a person, that's what this blog is all about. 17th century Swedishman, Ole Worm, was working with the same mentality when he decided to dedicate a whole room of his home to display his vast collection. Ranging from naturalia like antlers and tortoise shells to artificialia (man made items), Worm demonstrated to his visitors his knowledge of the world and the ways in which humans and nature are intertwined. Whether or not this is conveyed, does this not look fantastic? Who doesn't wish they had room soley for the purpose of display...

maira kalman: my decorator of choice

New York illustrator Maira Kalman paints rooms that seem to be everything I want in a home: sunny, jumbly and way, way, way aesthetically pleasing. If her book The Principles of Uncertainty and her illustrated edition of The Elements of Style are any indication, Kalman's world is a beautiful one. I want to find a way to wrangle myself an invitation to her home for tea and cake.

jungle dwellings

1 BR - BEAUTIFUL LOFT-STYLE APARTMENT! (south of the equator)
Reply to:hous-atdnt-1175635192@craigslist.org
Date: 2009-05-19, 3:13PM EDT

Tired of ubiquitous hallway apartments and low-ceilinged flophouses? Then look no further than this charming loft, conveniently located next to the biggest river this side of the Mississippi! Open concept. Perfect for singles, close couples, or your entire extended family. Fridge, stove, plumbing and comfort not included. Vertigo optional. Roof access.