Wow Home Idea

Rachel Whyte/Magnolia The latest real estate trend is right up our alleys (or dirt paths, if you will): Barndominiums have been popping up all over Pinterest and we're already obsessed.  These unique homes are exactly what they sound like: metal barns converted into living spaces. Adding a livable area where you wouldn't expect one is key. According to W.D. Metal Buildings, a company that designs these types of homes in Texas, barndominums tend to be affordable and easy to maintain.  If you're a Fixer Upper fan, the above photo may look familiar—it's a space renovated by Chip and Joanna Gaines. On a recent episode, Joanna explained that she had been dreaming of taking on a barndominium for some time. Making over the barn, once home to horses, was a total gut job. The result was a second floor living space and kitchen with bedrooms on the first floor. Talk about character!   Of course, you shouldn't just take ...

Yes, it's true. Even the pros get wanderlust. We chatted with hoteliers, travel specialists — and even an '80s heartthrob who's now on the forefront of travel journalism — to see what's on their bucket lists. Getty Andrew McCarthy Travel writer and guest editor of The Best American Travel Writing 2015 (not to mention the star of such movie classics as Pretty in Pink and Mannequin). "I'd like to swim with whales and see the Northern Lights, plus I've always wanted to hike the Paine circuit in Patagonia. I'd also like to cross the Sahara. I was there once for a few days and found it not at all what I expected — and I liked the effect the place had on me. I want to go to Burma before the McDonald's gets there. In that vein, I better hurry to Cuba. And as Audrey Hepburn once said, Paris is always nice." Getty Francesca Bonato Fashion designer and owner of the Coqui Coqui hotels and spas in Mexico. "My dream is to visit the Siwa oasis in ...

Patricia Chang Bill Gilbert never imagined he'd own the castle all his friends thought was haunted when he was a kid. Clearly, life doesn't always turn out how you expect, because he bought the 145-year-old stone structure known as the Albion Castle back in 2012. While he luckily hasn't run into any ghost occupants, he has gone to great lengths to restore the home to its original glory. Curbed has the full story on the renovation (and the dreamy shots of the eclectic interior — we're talking natural wood and stone combined with lots of bohemian accents).  Patricia Chang But here's the historical nugget we found most intriguing : Back in 1870 two British brothers stumbled upon a natural spring in San Francisco. Inspired by Norman castles, they decided to use the fresh water  to produce beer and built the Albion Ale and Porter Brewery right on top of the spr...

Getty Don't let pesky street lights ruin one of the most spectacular celestial shows of the year. Opt for one of these locales (or your nearest open field!) to catch the Perseid meteor shower. It peaks late Wednesday night into early Thursday, Aug. 12-13. A truly dark sky can reveal 50 or more meteors per hour during during peak times. Kitt Peak National Observatory, Tucson, AZ Getty Images Party like a cosmic star at Kitt Peak, the world's largest collection of radio and optical telescopes. The observatory's Perseids-viewing event "Meteor Mania" kicks off at 10 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, and doesn't wind down until the next day at 3 a.m. Admission is $$ for adults, $$ for children. Reservations required. Go here for details. Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Mackinaw City, MI Courtesy of Headlands International Dark Sky Park Stop by Heritage Village, across the street from the Headlands main entrance, for a Perseid Picnic on Aug. 11, from 9-10 p.m. Af...

Zillow People are flocking to San Francisco for a reason: It's one of the best cities in the United States for a high quality of life. You've got beautiful weather, a booming job market, and amazing food. But as a result, real estate is  expensive. Need proof? There was a crawl space recently listed for $$$ a month. Keep this in mind when we tell you the cheapest home on the market right now is an 800-square-foot cottage for $$$,000. Sure, it's pricey. But the circa-1908 home is also totally charming, and its location (in one of the fastest-appreciating markets) makes the cottage ideal for homeowners looking to make a profit after a few years of cozy living. Inside, the wood floors, crisp white walls, and tons of natural light make the two-bedroom and one-bathroom space feel open and welcoming. The home is also energy efficient and features both solar panels and an on-demand water heater — so even though it's tiny...

Here's a design rule we'll always stand by: If you want a room everyone will love, paint it blue. Whether it's a deep, dramatic cobalt, or a breezy, bright aqua, blue is the hue that always makes us sigh with contentment. You really just can't go wrong with blue. Need proof? Here are 10 reasons to love this magnificent color. 1. Soft blue shades just make you go "ahh." Jonny Valiant It's no surprise that designers use lighter shades to inspire calmness. A pale blue, like we see in this bedroom, has a relaxing effect that is only typically achieved after a glass of wine. 2. Darker shades have a buttoned-up elegance that make you sit up straight. JOSÉ PICAYO If color families were actual, real-people families, crisp dark blue would be the matriarch of a New England clan that can trace its roots to the Mayflower. Navy has a stately dignity of an especially refined lineage. Use it wisely. And please watch your posture. 3. Dramatic blues make you wish you c...