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Showing posts from June, 2016

A Houseboat to Make Your "Sleepless in Seattle" Dreams Come True

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NWG Real Estate This floating home is giving us some serious déjà vu for Tom Hanks' digs in Sleepless in Seattle . Docked on Lake Union in (you guessed it) Seattle, Washington, this 1,500-square-foot oasis is one of the most sought-after floating homes on the market and it sports a steep $$$$ million price tag to match — though, sorry, no cute young widowers and their quirky kids come with it. For starters, this has tons of outdoor space with postcard-worthy views, including a rooftop deck and a large, west-facing patio that offers romantic sunset views. Can you taste the Piña Colada happy hours? Or better yet, grab a glass of chilled red wine from your wine cellar (okay, maybe it's more like a wine cubby) that's hidden below a hatch in the floor. Sitting just above the lake's surface, it offers a dark storage space and the cool water keeps temperatures constant. Since anyone looking to live on the water probably has quite the aquatic streak, this unique home also o

These Friends Built Tiny Homes Just to Live Next to Each Other

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Alexander Stross Living on the same block as all of your best friends is something that many dream about, but few probably get to experience. But for four couples in Texas, that dream was enough to incite them to create what the Internet is dubbing "Bestie Row," a mini neighborhood where they could all live in houses lined right up next to each other. Looking to escape the daily grind of their lives in Austin for a lifestyle that was a bit more nature-oriented, the eight friends purchased ten acres of land near the Llano River. The couples, an eco-conscious bunch, hired architect Matt Garcia to design four energy-efficient tiny houses, each clocking in at approximately 350 square feet and costing around $$,000 apiece. Each tiny house boasts a bedroom, living room, and bathroom, and was constructed with a minimalist motif — think concrete floors, grained plywood, and a metal exterior. Garcia also constructed an additional 1,500-square-foot cabin with a kitchen and living a

This Single Tree Is Growing 40 Different Types of Fruit

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National Geographic via Youtube From  a distance, this tree might look like any other tree, but a closer inspection will reveal leaves of different sizes flourishing harmoniously alongside each other. That's because it's the work of Sam Van Aken, a Syracuse University professor and contemporary artist, who creates hybrid trees with 40 different types of stone fruit growing on them at once. Tree of 40 Fruit is an ongoing project for the Van Aken, who is constantly looking to alter and improve his method for devising unique hybrids. He creates each tree through "chip grafting," in which he takes an already budding branch of a single variety of fruit, then transplants it onto his own working tree over a process of eight or nine years.  National Geographic via Youtube "It started as an art project," Sam told TIME. "I wanted people to have this experience where a tree is blossoming in all these different colors or growing all these different kinds of fru

12 Color Meanings — And How to Use Them in Your House

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Whether you want to add energy to a dull room or calm a hectic one, this guide will help you pick the color that suits you best. Thomas Loof Orange: Expands Your Thinking This vibrant hue reduces self-consciousness and allows you to express yourself with confidence. Use it in your home when you want to feel younger. It is the color of laughter and celebration. Add an orange mouse pad to your office, an accent wall to your child's room, or just a bordered notecard on a side table. Interior design by Amanda Lindroth Simon Watson Deep Blue: Encourages Efficiency It will purify your thinking, so you can cut through the clutter and discover what is most important in your life. It helps you integrate the big picture with the little picture. Wear dark blue when you need to make a decision. At home, try it on an oversized tray, a wastebasket, a desk lamp or all over the room. Interior design by Jeannette Whitson Thomas Loof Green: Increases Wealth The primary color in nature, it co

The Palace of Versailles Created a Perfume Worthy of Royalty

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Getty Images Depending on your interests, you may know the Palace of Versailles as the former home of French royalty, including Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, as one of the most popular tourist destinations in France, or even as the location of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's rehearsal dinner. Now, the famed French estate is entering a new phase of its centuries-long life.  According to Forbes, Versailles teamed up with Guerlain, one of the oldest perfume houses in Paris, to create a new limited-edition scent inspired by the palace's illustrious past. The proceeds from sales of the perfume, called Le Bouquet de la Reine, or "The Queen's Bouquet," will help with the palace's ongoing renovations and restorations. And, according to a statement by Laurent Boillot, the President of The House of Guerlain, she was thrilled to join forces with the palace, as they both "share and defend the same vision of heritage and culture." Each numbered bottle fea

This Million-Dollar Home Is All About the Outdoor Space

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Zillow When looking at luxury real estate, you can't help but notice that the features can get a bit creative. Indoor/outdoor pools. A roof that doubles as a sledding ramp. A tub with speakers that broadcast the news through the bathwater. Honestly, you can add all the fancy features you want to a home, but nothing beats a good old-fashioned patio and garden. Take this historic property in Metuchen, New Jersey that's currently on the market for $.1 million. Built in 1907, it's a classic Stickley Craftsman home with timeless good looks. That porch! The exposed timber accents! Plus, there are period-perfect wood details (plus some intriguing wallpaper) throughout the interior. Zillow Zillow Zillow But what really caught our eye was the incredible outdoor spaces: lush landscaping, a magnificent patio, and a conservatory (OK, not an outdoor space, but it does offer great views of the surroundings). Here's a peek around the stunning grounds: Zillow Zillow Zillow Zillow

Get Ready to Fall in Love With This Incredible Barn Renovation

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Barn mansions, barn renovations, and even barndominiums—we just can't get enough of these country gems. But this latest barn makeover has stolen our hearts. Douglas Vanderhorn Architects found this 1860s barn in Albany, New York through Heritage Restorations, a firm that recovers old barns with potential for reuse, according to Houzz. Before the renovation, the run-down hay barn stored cattle, horses, tractors, and of course, plenty of hay. The firm took the barn apart piece by piece, bringing everything down to Greenwich, Connecticut where it was transformed into a stunning guest house for clients. (The Connecticut property previously had its own barn, but it was later sold off when the property was subdivided.) The revamped exterior siding, flooring, and ceiling was created with vintage reclaimed barn boards, Heritage Restoration explained on its website. And the interior is just as jaw-dropping. The remodeled barn features one bedroom, 1 1/2 baths, a modern kitchen, a win