Pagoda Obsession

I'm obsessing about Pagodas. For some reason they really appeal to me. Perhaps it goes back to my early years as a doll house devotee. I love their childlike, whimsical details. I would love to build one in my backyard but I don't think my home owners association would approve.



One of my favorite book purchases last year was Chinoiseries. Eye candy to the extreme.



I see Pagodas everywhere.



I loved this Pagoda shaped lantern so much I decided to do a rendering of it. Here are a few versions in different colors.

I want to move in....

Winter House in Russia

What do you do for fun in St. Petersburg Russia in the middle of winter? According to the locals you build an ice house - or in this case a giant ice palace.


Complete with ice landscaping, furnishings and accessories.


An ice dressing room. Are those boots Jimmy Choo on ice?


Every ice palace needs a throne room

And to my delight there is a draped bed in the Master Ice Bedroom!!! See the rest of the luxury igloo here.

A New Kind of Home Office

Apparently working from home is a big hit in the UK. Brits are hanging up the commute and setting up shop in the suburbs in record numbers. The US is not that far behind with many companies opting for virtual labor forces. As many of you know I have recently joined the ranks of the home based. I have a nice home office with plenty of windows - a view - and enough space for my essentials but it is located off of my Master Bedroom. Now sleeping - living - and working in the same room every day is a bit weird for me after owning and operating my own design studio for so many years. I was thinking of building a Cassita (that's what we call a guest house out here in the wild wild west) in the back yard. As usual I turned to the Web for inspiration and here's what I found.

Home Offices UK Style
Pre-fabricated buildings built from kits or delivered fully finished on site that cover all of the basics, electric, heat, AC, even plumbing if needed. Built to suit at any size or shape. What a fabulous idea! Some are timber framed, others shake and shingle, some even have real slate roofs!



Are they not adorable. Just like a life size doll house.



You can choose from contemporary styling to traditional. Fully finished interiors or exposed wood.



These are my two favorites. I think I like the Octagon with the slate roof the best. I think I could work all day in this little cottage without a care in the world.


Many of the companies I found are limited to the UK at present by some are represented by distributors in the US. Prices seem to range from about 3500 GBP to 9000 GBP depending on the size and features. I think that is between $7000 - $18000. Not bad.

See more options at:
Oakenclough Buildings
Sanctuary Garden Offices
Simply Home Offices
Cranes Sheds & Summer Houses
Create Space
Dunster House Ltd
Garden Affairs Lmtd