In combining novelty and isolation with nature and simplicity, the Tree Houses and Cabanes Des Grands Lacs in Eastern France, are bringing a new meaning to the concept of ‘rural retreat’.

Designed by the young designer and entrepreneur Gaspard de Moustier, this alternative accommodation, tucked away in France’s most pastoral and picturesque countryside, is proving to be a huge success.

Suspended in the air amongst a labyrinth of ancient oak trees, an aerial village of tree houses can be made out, whose uniquely designed structures and alternative rope ladder staircases, are somewhat camouflaged by the tonnes of wood, bark and branches littering  this beautiful forest in France, enclosed and bounded by clear water lakes.

This unique tree house village is free of electricity and running water and takes its visitors back to a simple and uncomplicated ancient era.

In designing the Cabanes Des Grands Lacs, 26-year-old Gaspard de Moustier, wanted to combine his passions for both nature and entrepreneurship to create his own vision of a true ‘city escape’ in accommodation integrated with nature.

15 tree houses and three floating cabins have been constructed on Gaspard de Moustier’s 150-hectare estate in Franche-comte on the border of Doubs and Haute-Saone.

The more ‘luxurious’ section of the Cabanes Des Grands Lacs is found in the three floating cabins, which have running water and solar powered electricity. In 2012, the young entrepreneur is to open a secluded spa at the estate, to help augment the notion of ‘barefoot luxury’ lay within a beautiful and densely wooded forest at the edge of a crystal clear fresh water lake.

Read full post

Designed by the naval architect Philippe Briand and decorated by interior designer Christian Liagre, the 220ft superyacht ‘Vertigo’ has been described as being ‘urban-at-sea’. This remarkable yacht, which is moored in New Zealand, comprises of a stunning city-like interior and an equally sophisticated exterior.

Instead of the usual portholes and conventional yacht deck features, Vertigo’s deck combines shiny-black floorboards, white-lacquered surfaces and custom-designed furniture and resembles a New York penthouse rather than the deck of a boat. Christian Liagre’s inspiration for Vertigo’s design was sparked by a client who requested their yacht felt like ‘urban-at-sea’.

The French interior designer Christian Liagire is a specialist in designing the interior of beach homes, particularly for the rich and famous. Artistic references and vivid details are the trademark of the influential designer, and a hallmark which Liagire has brought to the Vertigo.

The main lounge on the yacht is bathed in light from the glass walls that surround it. Talking about the Vertigo’s interior design, Christian Liagire said:

“The long sinuous longitudinal side cabinets create the link between all the spaces it visually extends the deck and can be read as the edge of an internal cockpit. All the furniture has been custom designed in order to match perfectly with the “sporty chic” of the yacht.”

On the outside this 220ft-long super-yacht is as awe-inspiring as it is on the inside, which has been designed by Philippe Briand, head designer at Briand Yacht design Ltd, and a passionate yachtsmen.

Read full post

Who says size doesn’t matter? It does, apparently, when it comes to superyachts, as having a greater amount of space is a common aspiration for the modern-day yachtsman.

With this requirement firmly entrenched, Newcruise has revealed of its new 65-meter concept superyacht, in which space is of the essence.

Known as the ‘Stream’, this exquisitely stylish new superyacht has been designed with the interest of clients and plenty of open space in mind.

Consisting of four double en suite bedrooms, as well as two multifunctioning cabins on the lower deck, the Stream is able to accommodate plenty of guests. The superyacht’s ample living space can quarter a crew of up to 16.

Although it is on the main deck were this highly sophisticated and stylish superyacht really excels in its design. Two main cabins, which are dedicated to the yacht’s owner, are en suite and have their own dressing rooms. The main salon consists of a lounge and dining area, which is able to seat up to 18 guests, whilst the captain’s cabin and sky lounge, with a bar and decking area is located on the bridge deck.

Read full post

We all want more space these days, don’t we? And consequently, homes are becoming more open plan and furniture increasingly more minimalist.

Taking the concept of discreet furniture to new extremes is the steady influx of ‘disappearing’ home designs appearing on the market.

Here’s a few of the best…

PETRA kitchen

How can a kitchen ‘melt’ into an existing living space? Well that’s what the latest automated kitchen, known as the PETRA can do, as with the use of a remote control, the kitchen’s worktops literally unfold to expose a kitchen. When you’ve finished with your kitchen you can then push the remote control and make it disappear again, creating greater living space.

The Liftbed

Need an extra bed in your flat for when family and friends come to visit? Simply flick a switch on the wall and the Liftbed descends into the living room, providing an instant extra bed. When your guests have departed, simply flick the switch once more and the Liftbed disappears back into the ceiling, leaving no trace that it was ever there. Designed by Technology Products Concepts Ltd, the LiftBed enables you to transform a living room into a bedroom or vice-versa in just a few seconds, creating extra space without having to move house.

Read full post

Whether or not tattoos can be considered ‘art’ has long be the subject of many a heated debate.

Whilst some see them as being associated with social deviants, the art of tattooing has been around for thousands of years, with many contemporary art exhibitions and art institutions featuring tattoos as a form of art.

When it was reported that Jully Nascimento, a woman from Brazil, tattooed her arm with a QR Code Tattoo that could be scanned, the somewhat antiquated debate of whether tattooing one’s skin can be considered to be ‘art’, was taken to new heights.

According to Geeky Tattoo, Jully believes she is the first person in Brazil to get a QR code tattoo. The tattoo was made by a tattooist known as Andre, from True Love Tattoos, and the code actually reads as the name of a song by Good Charlotte, a band and song that helped Ms Nascimento through a tough time when she was growing up.

Whilst some may argue that marking one’s skin in reference to a turbulent time in one’s youth is impervious of the ‘rebellious nature’ of tattoos, others may hold the view that such scan-able tattoos are a unique and beautiful symbol of the modern-day technological era.

Read full post