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Architecture

10 Heavenly Hobbit Holes We'd Like to Call Home

By Claire Cottrell on

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

Architecture

10 Cave Homes We’d Like to Live In

By Alison Nastasi on

Four teenagers stumbled upon an incredible collection of prehistoric cave paintings in 1940. While historians, conservationists, and archaeologists discuss the importance of the 17,000-year-old Lascaux caves this week, we felt inspired by the underground complex to explore homes that have been tucked away in caves across the world. Eco-friendly, earth homes have become increasingly popular, so it should come as no surprise that homeowners are writing their own page in a Tolkien tale by setting up camp in these natural shelters. The green benefits are a big draw, but several modern cavepeople are proving that the alternative dwellings don’t have to sacrifice style and comfort. Check out a few amazing cave homes we’d totally live in past the break. Feel free to share your favorites in the comments below. … Read More