From grand bedrooms and lustworthy libraries suspended in time to a gorgeous great house complete with a walled garden and roaming peacocks, we’ve compiled a selection of images to help you imagine life in the sumptuous turn-of-the-century England of Downton Abbey. Before things changed… Read More
Architecture
Vintage Photos of Bizarre World’s Fair Architecture
A few weeks ago we took a look at some of the most bizarre buildings we’ve ever seen: the strange Soviet architecture that emerged during a fascinating era of extreme artistic inquiry fueled — as so many are — by social revolution. Now that we’re officially obsessed with far-out retro-future design, we literally fell off of our chair when we came across the progressive pavilions built for two World Expos that we would have loved to attend. From a building that looks like a giant blue Jell-O mold to a larger-than-life paper forest, click through to take a quick virtual tour of some of the most incredible structures we’ve ever seen. … Read More
The Most Beautiful Opera Houses in the World
Rising from the Oslofjord inlet like an iceberg is the Oslo Opera House. Co.Design recently wrote about a faceted wall installation inside the modern performance space created by Danish-Icelandic artist, Olafur Eliasson. Glowing walls line the foyer, adding a striking effect. We felt inspired by the design and went searching for some of the most beautiful opera houses in the world. These grandiose venues conjure the drama, history, and craft associated with the art form. Take a trip around the world in our gallery, where we’ve selected 15 of the most stunning spaces for opera aficionados and architecture/design lovers. … Read More
The Most Beautiful Wellness Retreats in the World
A New Year is upon us and now that the holidays are over, it’s back to business as usual (supposedly) all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Recovering from combative cousins, tedious travel, and the countless cocktails that got you through it all is admittedly hard when you’re readjusting to the daily grind. Enter the wellness retreat. If you feel like you’re needing a vacation from your vacation, then set some time aside to join us in one of our favorite virtual pleasures: restorative research in the form of globe-trotting to rejuvenating retreats. From the world’s largest natural mineral spa in Turkey to Pritzker Prize laureate Norman Foster’s luxe and lavish spa in Switzerland, click through to check out the most beautiful healthy havens in the world. … Read More
Endangered Buildings We Hope Make It Through 2013
What’s better than eerie-but-beautiful photographs of decaying buildings? Saving said glorious works from destruction. A few months ago, we spotted a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece (built for Wright’s son) fighting for its life just outside of Phoenix, Arizona. Then, about a week ago, CNN reported that an anonymous buyer had saved the spectacular spiral home. We couldn’t help but wonder, what other endangered buildings are out there in need of a savior? From Richard Neutra’s Gettysburg Cyclorama to Burkina Faso’s stunning (but, sadly) eroding earth architecture, click through to check out some of the most spectacular endangered buildings around the world. If you feel as inspired to take action as we did, join the World Monuments Fund online community to track the progress of restoration efforts and contribute to your favorites. … Read More
Stunning Photographs of Vintage Parisian Architecture
The big-screen adaptation of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables opens in theaters tomorrow, and we couldn’t be more excited. Considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century, the five-volume, 365-chapter tale is as much a meditation on the complex moral and social struggles of humanity as it is a historical study of France and the architecture and urban design of Paris. The tome was first published in 1862, just before the beginning of the beguiling Belle Époque, or beautiful era, France’s golden age of affluence and artistic creativity that occurred before the turmoil of the First World War. From the architectural wonders built for the same World’s Fair that gave us the Eiffel Tower to the most famous, elaborate Art Nouveau restaurant, click through to be reminded of the design epoch that gave us one of the world’s most whimsical and romantic cities. … Read More
The Most Spectacular Buildings That Were Never Built
From Frank Lloyd Wright’s daring design for a resort high atop the Hollywood Hills to Antonio Gaudi’s grand, unrealized hotel in Manhattan, click through to check out some of the world’s most spectacular buildings that never made it off the drawing board.… Read More
10 Heavenly Hobbit Holes We'd Like to Call Home
Over the weekend, The Hobbit, Peter Jackson’s much-anticipated prequel adaptation of the most epic story about a heroic hole-builder ever written, landed in theaters and set box office records. According to the world’s communal encyclopedia, most of Tolkien’s humble hobbits lived in “hobbit-holes” or Smials, traditional underground homes found in hillsides, downs, and banks identified by charming little round doors and windows. Proof that the Shire’s simple, bucolic way of life isn’t just fantasy, we’ve rounded up some of the best real-life hobbit homes on the planet. From underground earth house estates in Switzerland to a grand tree house in Oregon fit for Frodo, click through to check out the very best of hobbit havens. … Read More
10 Beautiful Buildings Shaped Like Triangles
There’s a lot to be said for the triangle this year. Everything from album covers and logos to hipster essentials and GIF fanatics have embraced the three-sided shape. Dare we proclaim the triangle the design trend of the year (maybe the decade)? In honor of the simple symbol, we thought we’d take a look at some of the biggest and most beautiful triangle triumphs around the world. From the sculptural beach houses of the architect of happiness Andrew Geller to stunning, modern-day examples of the classic A-frame, click through to check out buildings inspired by the most emblematic geometry in the world. … Read More
Beautiful Buildings Made from Ice and Snow
Temperatures are dropping, which means most people are indoors staying warm. There are some designers, photographers, and insane creative types who are braving the chilly weather to construct unusual buildings made entirely from ice and snow. These ephemeral works of architecture are perhaps the greenest on the planet, melting silently into the earth when spring starts to approach. Other icy structures thrive amongst some of the coldest temperatures on the planet. It’s awe-inspiring to know that a substance like water can create something that feels so completely larger than life, making the organic buildings seem almost magical. We searched the globe for beautiful castles, hotels, and other buildings made from ice (inside and out). View more in our gallery. … Read More
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