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Case Study Houses Were Thing of Beauty

by Kathy T. Leave a Comment

Probably the most famous case study house was number 22 – it’s been featured in movies, magazines, and web pages since the 1960’s.  Why then are there not more of these beautiful structures throughout the country?

From Iconic Photos,

… the cantilevered living room appears to float diaphanously above Los Angeles. “The vertiginous point of view contrasts sharply with the relaxed atmosphere of the house’s interior, testifying to the ability of the Modernist architect to transcend the limits of the natural world,” praised the New York Times. Yet this view was created as meticulously as the house itself. Wide-angle photography belied the actual smallness of the house; furniture and furnishings were staged, and as were the women.

Realtors everywhere now stage houses to look as beautiful as possible, thanks to stunning pictures like those of photographer Julius Shulman.

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Wordless Wednesday: Stone Castle

by Kathy T. Leave a Comment

Photo by Maureen Lunn through Flickr Creative Commons.

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Wordless Wednesday: Purple House

by Kathy T. Leave a Comment

Photo by Gee Jay via flickr creative commons.

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Wordless Wednesday: Tuscany Doorway

by Kathy T. Leave a Comment

Photo by Andrew’s Images 2011 via Flickr Creative Commons.

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Wordless Wednesday: Paris Complex

by Kathy T. Leave a Comment

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Now THAT’S a Man Cave

by Kathy T. Leave a Comment

I’ve seen plenty of dainty little baby rooms and incredible play rooms for children.  I’ve seen hobby rooms designed for sewing and scrap-booking.  I’ve admired how clean people manage to keep their perfect kitchens.  And I’ve seen some amazing man caves where the denizens of testosterone gather for drinks and sports.

And now it’s your chance to buy one of your own!  From MSNBC, homes featuring these over-the-top man caves are currently for sale,

Imagine this: the football game streaming live in the 21-seat theater (complete with ticket booths and concession stands), finger food and snacks galore in the diner-style kitchen, and a two-lane bowling alley, arcade room with pool table, air hockey, and pinball just around the corner.

According to the article, the price for this Atlanta estate is $18 million – down significantly from the 2009 list price of $45 million.

To look at this incredible house – the whole listing – go here.

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We Should Rally Around Detroit

by Kathy T. Leave a Comment

Detroit has perhaps some of the most beautiful architecture in the United States.  There are soaring roof lines, stunning details, and decay.  The poor town has lost thousands and thousands of residents, so some of the most gorgeous homes are sitting empty … slowly succumbing to the forces of nature.

It would be so nice if investors could figure out how to restore this dying city.   Reclaimed Homes has some thoughts on Detroit and I can’t say they’re wrong,

As an historic building enthusiast, I’d like to see these structures saved. As an environmentalist, I say  let nature take it back. We’re always tearing down trees and destroying natural habitats. Well, let the city become a forest. It’s been abandoned anyway.

There are so many dying towns in America right now.  I suppose it’s like the ghost towns of the old Wild West, only it’s the Wild Midwest, Wild South, Wild Northeast, etc.

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Knox Hat Factory Is Building of the Day

by Kathy T. Leave a Comment

It’s a little sad to admit it, but in my own hometown our most interesting building is a big grain storage contraption.  We do have a couple of water towers, as well.  Oh to be in New York City – particularly Brooklyn – where entire buildings can be featured as architecturally pleasing.

From Brownstoner, here is information about the Knox Hat Factory,

Edward Knox died in 1916, and the Knox Company merged with Dunlap Hats in 1918, which would eventually merge with other companies that formed the Hat Corporation of America, second in size only to the John Stetson Company. Knox hats remained extremely popular well into the 20th century, due to superior products and very slick advertising. The factory was closed after World War II and by the 1980’s was a vandalized, abandoned mess. Fortunately, Alfred Thompson, a developer of affordable housing, who also rescued the nearby Studebaker Building on Bedford Avenue, was able to turn the abandoned factory into 52 units of subsidized housing in the mid 1980’s.

I’ll bet we can find mice in our grain storage building.

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Cleveland Demo Home 90% More Efficient

by Kathy T. Leave a Comment

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History will have a smart home built on its property, allowing $5 tours from July to September.  SmartHome Cleveland will be ultra efficient in energy use due to high-performance windows, a heat recovery ventilator, and an airtight building envelope according to the Jetson Green web site,

But it will also be more than just energy-efficient.  Plans call for – in general terms – sustainable materials, advanced storm water techniques, healthy housing elements, and biophilic design, according to Cleveland Museum.

The traditional-style, 2,500 square-foot home will have three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, and a full basement, according to a press release.

I would absolutely love to live in a home this energy efficient.  Whoever ends up purchasing it after the exhibit will certainly not miss high heating and air conditioning bills!

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Bamboo Hut Easy to Construct

by Kathy T. 1 Comment

If this bamboo hut is described as “easy to construct” I suppose it’s all relative as to who is doing the actual construction and building!  Yet it truly is a beautiful frame and design.  From We Waste Time, here is Bamboo Hut.

Finished product…

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