Black Stainless is a new finish recently introduced by KitchenAid, Samsung and LG . Besides offering better smudge resistance, it is an interesting alternative if the rugged industrial look of conventional stainless steel doesn’t appeal. Black Stainless complements nicely more modern and sleek kitchen designs, particularly if the cabinetry is a medium or dark tone.
The serene Shirakawa-go and Gokayama regions, nestled in a remote mountain area of Japan, are famous for their traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 200 years old. Gassho-zukuri means “constructed like hands in prayer”, as the farmhouses’ steep thatched roofs resemble the hands of praying Buddhist monks. The roofs, made without nails, were designed to withstand the large amounts of heavy snow that falls in the region during winter, and provided a large attic space for cultivating silkworms.
Human scale, simple elegance, and symbolism make the entry of this forest retreat feel grand in a different, emotional way – (house on Orcas Island, Washington, by Gary Gladwish Architecture)
The “rorbu” cabins create a distinctive, unique architectural environment in the small fishing villages nestled along the shores of the Lofoten Islands in Norway, an archipelago within the Arctic Circle well known for its natural beauty. These cabins originally provided simple overnight shelter for fishermen, and were painted with cheap red paint made from cod-liver oil. Today the “rorbuer” have been restored and turned into modern accommodation for tourists.
A trip to Bibury, England is like travel back in time. It is a typical Cotswold village with limestone cottages with steeply pitched roofs, beautiful nature, and a romantic, almost fairytale aura. The famous Arlington Row is a popular tourist attraction, and one of the most photographed Cotswold scenes.
http://www.dezeen.com/2015/11/06/ole-scheeren-the-interlace-vertical-village-singapore-building-of-the-year-2015-world-architecture-festival-2015/
Mirror, mirror on the wall… Use it right and you will be surprised by the visual impact you can achieve. This walk-in-closet by Danenberg Design “doubled” in length just by thoughtful incorporation of mirrors in the overall design.
