Inspired By Earth Day: Retreats for a Modern Thoreau

I first learned of Henry David Thoreau and Walden Pond as a freshman in high school. I was a self-proclaimed tree-hugger back then, so his thoughts on man and the environment simply fueled my passion to save the planet. As an adult, I can more fully understand the philosophy behind his Walden stay - to simply observe nature and reflect. In honor of Earth Day, here are two locales perfectly suited for a modern-day, Thoreau-like sabbatical. And, of course, both are ecofriendly.

Fogo Island Studios, Newfoundland, Canada

"I love Nature partly because she is not man, but a retreat from him. "

Located along the north Atlantic, Fogo Island offers four artist studios as part of a program to promote habitat preservation and sustainability. Each structure is completely off-the-grid and perched along the island’s rocky coastline. Imagine what these views could inspire!

The Treehotel, Harads, Sweden

"I have a room all to myself; it is nature."

The Treehotel in Sweden would definitely make my bucket list if I ever decided to create one. Each of its treehouse-like cabins is suspended 13 to 20 feet above the ground, offering fantastic views and sparse interiors (Thoreau would be proud!). My favorite room is the Mirrorcube. Its facade perfectly blends into the surrounding forest.

Of course, we can't all scurry off to Canada and Sweden to be at one with nature, so, look for the everyday opportunities. From community parks to your own backyard, embrace and enjoy!

Images: (1-4) Bent René Synnevåg, (5-8) Peter Lundstrom, WDO | Treehotel
Quotes: Henry David Thoreau

Interiors: A Belgian Home that Breaks the Mold

"...the Verney house stands out like a woman wearing edgy Alexander Wang among a flock of matrons in classic twin sets." - Elle Decor

Not only do I love the fashion reference, but this quote immediately conveys how different Alix and Bruno Verney's home must be from its neighbors. Designed by Belgian architect Frédéric Haesevoets, the house greets visitors with a near windowless facade of stone and concrete. But once inside, the structure gives way to modern, sunlit interiors overlooking a lush landscape. With a house like this, who cares what the neighbors think?

"We are not afraid to be different" - Bruno Verney

Images: Richard Powers, Elle Decor

Interiors: The Opus Hong Kong Show Apartment

Rising from the lush hills overlooking Hong Kong, the Opus is starchitech Frank Gehry’s first residential project in Asia. The building’s design and striking locale (see last pic below) warranted equally splendid interiors. And so, when creating its show apartment, the developer enlisted interior design duo Yabu Pushelberg. From the iPad-controlled lighting to the chinoiserie screens, the space balances contemporary style, luxury, and functionality with references to the past.

Hand-painted chinoiserie screens swivel open when needed and provide a striking backdrop in both the family and dining rooms.

With their mountain views, private spaces were designed as an ethereal counterpoint to the apartment’s city-facing side. A floor-to-ceiling copper headboard mirrors the curves of the master bedroom while the bath adds impact with onyx stone and steel fixtures. Stunning!

I wanted to make something incredibly beautiful that people will respect and love for generations. – Frank Gehry on designing the Opus Hong Kong

Images: Richard Powers

Update on 3.24.2013 by Desiré

The chandelier above the dining table appears to be by Hervé Van der Straeten, not Yabu Pushelberg as originally posted. Either way, it's gor-geous!

Interiors: LA Home Brings The Outdoors In

Although this post is more architecture than interiors and more modern than glamour, I simply had to share! Designed by Lehrer Architects, this Los Angeles home ingeniously integrates materials and design techniques to create a harmonious balance with the outdoors. The entire home is bathed in natural light thanks to a 200-foot-long skylight and a steel frame allows walls to float or simply disappear.

Lehrer took the idea of indoor/outdoor living so essential to the L.A. lifestyle and interpreted it in a three-story, 13,000-square-foot structure whose massive sliding and pivoting glass walls, doors, and windows convert indoor spaces into true open-air pavilions. - AD

The house is here to frame the landscape and admit light... You can see the beautiful gardens and trees wherever you are. - Michael Lehrer

The bedroom is AMAZING, like a luxe tree house. I could hang out here all day. What do you think? Bring the outdoors in? Or more privacy please?

Images: Roger Davies, AD

Juxtaposed: The Square Nine Hotel's modern mark on historic Belgrade

This is a repost from Luxe.ly, my lifestyle blogging project (2011).

Introducing the Square Nine Hotel, a luxurious contemporary hotel in the heart of Belgrade, Serbia. The hotel’s owner snagged one of the last sites in this historic neighborhood permitting new construction. The result, a delightful dialogue between old and new.

“The Square Nine Hotel’s architecture speaks a remarkably modern language and does not clash with or overshadow its neighboring buildings. On the contrary, it follows their scale, the rhythm of their facades…and even the moderate hues of their color palette.”

Architect: Isay Weinfeld

Images: Square Nine Hotel by way of Yatzer

P.S. If you're a sucker for hospitality design (like moi), you may enjoy these past posts about Hotel Frank and The House Hotel.