Delicious Contrasts in the AS-House in Brazil

The prolific São Paulo-based studio Guilherme Torres – begun in 2001 – has created another lovely tropical modern masterpiece in the AS House in Cornélio Procópio, in the state of Paraná in Brazil.

The site naturally offered two stories to the house, both located around the patio and pool…

Design Dilemma: Is the Home Library Dead?

Have E-readers killed the home library? Years ago, it was every home dweller’s dream to own a quiet room filled with books and a big fat easy chair. Libraries suggested refinement, coziness and worldliness. They were also a place to escape the noise and chaos of everyday life. But these days, books are taking a back seat to electronics. More of us actually do  our reading online and are building a “virtual” library of books.

Does this mean the death of the home library?

Glimpse of a Strange, Repurposed Future World

Here’s a strange vision. As if a thoughtful post-apocalyptic nomad has somehow dug up an ancient library and used it to create a semi-outdoor home in the ruins of the 21st century.

Design Dilemma: Part 2, Downsizing While Staying Put

Last week, we explored ways to downsize when moving from a large space into a smaller one. It’s a tough move to make, but can be filled with rewards, including more time and money available to spend outside the home, less cleaning and lower utility costs. This week, we thought we’d spend some time on how you can downsize without going anywhere at all.

Guilherme Torres’ Very Hip and Cool São Paulo Studio

Fascinated by the hip Jardins neighborhood location, São Paulo-based studio Guilherme Torres created this live/work studio conversion project in Brazil.

Museum-Quality Historical Chiang Mai Resort

The ultimate in traditional luxury living in a historical resort makes reference to a subtle and refined traditional architecture.

Old Sydney’s Curtained Glass Loggia House

In keeping with its elevated past, the high ceilings in this two story extension are dwarfed by two-story steel mesh curtains shielded from the weather by a soaring glass roof.