A Kid's Castle

Back in my childhood, I guess my love for home and design was starting to become noticeable. I remember pretending to build a makeshift house by hanging sheets over the dining room table in order to create my own private refuge. It used to be my sanctuary where I would play with my favorite toys, and maybe, invite a couple of my closest friends. But how times have changed! After drooling over these incredible kiddie cottages, my make-do tent house is put to shame. These über cool and fun structures, by SmartPlayouse, are authentic designer pieces inspired by contemporary architecture. Don't I wish they had existed back then!

I'm sure any kid would die for any of these models. They're a perfect space that offers them a cozy place to play, develop their creativity and learn to share. Although most models are designed as outdoor houses, there are a couple that have a smaller version for inside. How cool is that? I can think of a few kids I know who would love to be the proud owners of one of these beauties.

Since these little mansions are made to order, you can customize them to your needs. The garden versions are made with high quality weather-resistant materials so they can be enjoyed for years. I'll be honest, as much as I would have wanted to own one of these little mansions, my tent-like structure served its purpose and made me very happy. It gave me a chance to expand my creativity. Besides, I would've probably driven my parents crazy wanting to buy furniture and accessories to decorate it. Don't you love them too? 

Choisy-le-Roi Bridge

Choisy-le-Roi Bridge

• October 13, 2010
• Architecture 
• No Comments

Jacques Ferrier Architects designed the new Choisy-le-Roi bridge that crosses the express railway lines and connects the port district to the town center.

The 70 meter long bridge has a traffic lane in each direction contained within wide footpaths to either side. Connecting the recently rehabilitated port district with its housing, amenities, offices and imprimerie nationale workshops as well as avenue anatole france to the town centre, the bridge is an essential element in guaranteeing the success of this new district which, until now, has been cut off from the city due to its location between the railway lines and the river seine.

slim&strong

Design graduate Delphine Frey produced this carbon-fibre lamp as part of her Mas Luxe diploma at ECAL (University of Art and Design Lausanne) in Switzerland.

The pleats give the long, thin lamp stability.

Frey’s website will soon be at: www.delphinefrey.com

Here’s some text from Frey:

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This desk lamp or console table lamp was born from the association of two different universes; the softness and elegance of the haute couture pleat meet the rigidity of carbon.

It is a subtle mix of two worlds: this object represents the encounter of an ancestral know-how with the latest technology. It was made with the assistance of a Formula One parts supplier.

The pleats are not only esthetical, they also add some rigidity to the long and thin structure. In addition, they also hide the leds.