Portable Rowboat

I finally found what was missing from my life: A bright yellow Portable 

Rowboat! A project by Swiss ECAL students.

MUJI Hard Carry Travel Suitcase

I like luggage and MUJI.  Combine the two and I might very well get very excited.  MUJI just introduced a new Hard Carry Travel Suitcase collection which is durable and lightweight polycarbonate with adjustable carry bar. Available in Black, Gray and Khaki. Yet another MUJI product that strikes with a simple and beautiful design. When I lived in Italy, MUJI was my favorite store, even if just to check out the new arrivals.

Hotel nhow Berlin

The nhow Berlin is Europe’s first ever music hotel, uniting music lovers from all over the world to stay and play together.

Located on the river Spree in an area where creativity is flowing, you can be sure that stepping outside the hotel will bring you as much creative inspiration as being inside. With a stunning exterior by architect Sergei Tchoban that nicely complements the dramatic interiors by Karim Rashid, the entire experience feels like it’s moving to the beat of a different drum.

Catering to musicians and other creatives, the hotel features a recording studio with panoramic views of Berlin in cooperation with the legendary Berlin Hansa-Studios as well as its very own music manager. About 30 TV and 50 music radio stations integrated in a state-of-the-art entertainment system. The hotel is constantly hosting live events and concerts and there is always a top DJ spinning in the bar.

Additionally, there are tons of other amenities. Fabrics Restaurant nicely complements the musical theme with funky soul food — modern Franco-German — from Berlin native Head chef Patrick Rexhausen.

Are you packed yet?

What: nhow Berlin
Where: Stralauer Allee 3 10245 Berlin, Germany Stralauer Allee 3 10245 Berlin, Germany (map it)
How much: Rates start at about $150 USD/night.
Highlights: Free wireless internet and Satellite TV, a high-tech fitness center and spa, limousine service, and parking.
Design draw: Super stimulating interiors designed by Karim Rashid and a cantilever exterior design by architect Sergei Tchoban that overlooks the river Spree.
Book it: nhow-hotels.com

P-Tree by Aandeboom

Unable to prevent revellers urinating against their trees, Roskilde Festival in Denmark installed tree-mounted urinals by Dutch designers Aandeboom.  The urinals are made of rotational-moulded plastic and can either connect to the main sewage system or a tank with a pump. 50 of the orange urinals were strapped to tree trunks for the festival last weekend.

Wadi Resort by Oppenheim Architecture + Design

Florida-based practice Oppenheim Architecture + Design have released these images of their proposals for 47 desert lodges at a resort in Wadi Rum, Jordan. The lodges will be carved directly into the sandstone cliff face and the building elements will be made from rammed earth and cement mixed with local red sand.

Gigantic Inflatable Climbing Icebergs.

I wish I had a bigger pool so I could buy one of these Gigantic Inflatable Climbing Icebergs.

M/Y Biscuit 95’ by Filippetti Yacht

If you’re the kind who has good sea legs and you’re a fan of Italian contemporary design, you’ll love this over-the-top luxury yacht. It puts most houses to shame.

The 30-meter M/Y Biscuit 95’ is a collaboration with yacht builder Filippetti Yacht and Hot Lab, an Italian yacht interiors company.

The yacht has two decks as well as a sunbathing area, two cabins and a crew area. The master bedroom includes a leather floor, no expense has been spared! In the living area, you’ll find an oversized Moroso sofa and armchairs, and a Poltrona Frau coffee table. The living room area features a painting by artist Paola Di Iusto. In the dining area, there’s a 10-seat Saarinen table with Moroso armchairs and even a wine cellar.

Even the kitchen area is stocked with high-end components from Gaggenau including two refrigerator-freezers, a microwave, washing machine and coffee machine. There is a grill as well. Starboard, there are two sofas for dining or relaxing and can even be converted into a sunbathing area.

Tree Hotels

Remember when you were little and you wanted to live in your treehouse? Want that feeling of weightlessness and seclusion again, this time as an adult?
Take a Swedish adventure into the wilderness with the curious and odd vacation destination called Treehotel. Located in the small town of Harads, Sweden, Treehotel takes advantage of the natural surroundings and dense forests using them to serve as privacy for their sweet little getaway cabins nestles in the trees. Each small themed treehouse guestroom is suspended above the ground. Treehotel just opened this past July.

The Mirrorcube by Tham & Videgård Architects (Bolle Tham & Martin Videgård) is a lightweight aluminum cube covered in mirrored glass — you can see out 360 degrees. It has one double bed and you get there via a rope bridge.

The Bird’s Nest by Inredningsgruppen (Bertil Harström) was created to resemble a bird’s nest in which you are the eggs nesting inside! It has four beds (one double bed and two single child beds) and lots of privacy because of the branches on the exterior. You can access it from a retractable staircase.

The Cabin by Cyrén & Cyrén (Mårten Cyren & Gustav Cyren) has a double bed and views of the Lule River, It is accessed via a footbridge.

The Blue Cone by SandellSandberg has two levels. On the first is a double bed and in the loft, there are two single beds. To get to the Blue Cone, there’s a bridge from the mountain behind it.

A Room With A View by Marge Architects contains one double bed and offers spectacular views on three sides.

The UFO by Inredningsgruppen (Bertil Harström) has four beds (one double bed and two child beds). Who doesn’t want to sleep in a hovering UFO?

The Tree Sauna by Inredningsgruppen (Bertil Harström) is a 12-person sauna where you can relax amidst the refreshing scent of pine needles.
Are you packed yet?
What: Treehotel
Where: Harads, Sweden
How much: Depends on which room you book, but rates start at 3500 SEK (~$525)
Highlights: Being suspended above ground, taking a tree sauna, complimentary breakfast buffet, local seasonal activities
Design draw: Architect-designed treehouse rooms with different themes
Book it: treehotel.se

Hammock by Marimekko

Hanging in a sea of rainbow that is the marimekko kimara hammock...

Jorin & Matana’s Treehouse in Canada by Nicko Elliott

I saw some photos of this fabulous treehouse that Nicko Elliott designed, located in Toronto, Canada. Nicko is based in Brooklyn, NY.

Photography by Jesse Jackson.

Mandarim Oriental - Barcelona

All i can say is Wow!!!

The spanish architect Patricia Urquiola is responsable for the design of the new Mandarim Oriental hotel in Barcelona.