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via Jill Bliss

Cabin Porn.  It's basically crack for cabin addicts like me.  Thanks, Jill, for getting me hooked.

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via minieco

Handmade Ryan Gosling.  If you're crafty and taken, then both of you will get a good laugh out of this tumblr.  This post in particular hit home . . . um, sorry again, honey, for leaving that pin in the sofa cushion!

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Annekata.  After a five month hiatus, Kathrin is back with more creative and thought-provoking posts.  Truly one of my very favorite blogs.

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In the Make.  Studio visits are up there with cabin porn.  Thankfully I can get my fix every Monday when photographer Klea McKenna and writer Nikki Grattan post their latest interview with a San Francisco-based artist.

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Things Organized Neatly.  Not sure why I like household objects neatly arranged in rows, but I do.  It actually is very pleasing.  Too bad my desk doesn't look anything like this.  (Thanks to reader Falco for the tip!) 

Sublime retreat in the woods

I love the city life, but I also long to have a cabin in the woods one day.  A place that is cozy, serene, and away from the din of man- very much like this cabin built by Greg of Clutch Camera.  He recently completed the 200 sq/ft cabin located in the Minnesota wilderness, just 30 miles from Canada. All the wood used for the timber frame cabin was locally sourced, and the exterior siding is reclaimed western red cedar, milled from old telephone poles. 

The cabin doesn't have running water, but there is a lake on the property!  The cabin is also surrounded by maple trees, which Greg describes as "more spectacular than can be written about" when they change color in autumn.

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.  

                                                                                                                                           - Henry David Thoreau

Thanks, Greg, for an inspiring story and such beautiful photographs!  To see pictures of the cabin being built, go here.  Greg and his significant other also recently launched a line of handmade housewares crafted from antlers.  Very cool stuff, check it out here.

For those who favor lace . . .

lace covered trees by Janet Morton and Pene Durston

lace stenciled floor 

lace fence by Demakersvan

lace covered piano by Joana Vasconcelos

lace tunnel 

  

Aalto utopia in Portland's backyard

When I was in college, I went on a field trip to the Mount Angel Abbey Library, which is about 30 miles south of Portland.  That trip was my first exposure to the Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, who many consider to be the father of modern architecture and design.  The library at Mount Angel is just one of two buildings in North America that was designed by Aalto, and, yesterday, I went back to the building to bask again in its brilliance. 

Libraries were some of Aalto's favorite buildings to design.  He sought to create the perfect lighting conditions for reading.  In the Mount Angel Abbey Library,  there are semi-circular windows at the top of the building to harness natural light.  The light is bounced around the open interior space by white walls.  When asked why the building didn't have more windows taking advantage of the valley view, he responded "I have designed a place of study, not a lounge."

Aalto made an exception to add a few large windows in the Periodical Reading Room, which is my favorite part of the library.  I love how the bright, filtered light contrasts the black Aalto furniture.  The look is dramatic but very inviting and peaceful at the same time. 

Periodical Reading Room

In addition to its significant architectural design, the library has one of the largest collections of furniture designed by Aalto.  The shelving, desks, tables, chairs, and light fixtures were all designed by him.  And although 40 years have passed since the opening of the library, the furniture is still in remarkable shape.  I saw this sweet (and unused!) console sitting on the floor and was tempted to snatch it for my own home.  Alas, I figured stealing from monks would mean a lifetime of penance. 

Amtrack it from Portland to Seattle

The beautiful ceiling in Portland's historical Union Station, which opened in 1896.  

While the kids were away for a couple of days, my husband and I decided to take a short trip to Seattle to see some friends.  We traveled by train, which is about a 3.5 hour ride to the Emerald City.   Not bad considering it can take as long or longer by car if you get stuck in Seattle traffic.

Downtown Seattle and the famous Space Needle.

We try to go to Seattle at least once a year.  I love all the hills and water surrounding the city.

Yesterday we visited the Ballard district.  For lunch, we stopped at an amazing eatery called La Carta de Oaxaca.  I loved all the beautiful photographs on the wall of the scenery and people of Oaxaca, Mexico.  A few were even illuminated from behind.  And the presentation of the food was just as impressive as the decor.  I snapped this picture of our meal before we ate it.  It was delicioso!

Mixed media painting by Seattle artist Janet Fagan and Lotus Glows made by Michelle Fokos of Luma Designs.

There is an an art retail store in Ballard that I like to go to called Venue.  The shop also functions as a studio space for several local Seattle artists.  When I first visited the shop a few years ago, I came across these great candle holders made from recycled glass.  I love how the color of the glass is illuminated onto the surface when the candle is lit!

Venue currently showcases handmade collections from over 40 artists and craftspeople.  Products carried in the stop include jewelry, stationary, soaps, linens, and handbags.  I couldn't resist these felted rocks made by Leah Adams of Spiderfelt.  They are actual rocks that are wrapped in wool! And I was so excited to finally find something to put on this wood platter-like piece in my home. Perfect!

Preserving wetlands with a red ribbon

It's hard to believe that this lush, natural habitat in Qinhuangdao City, China was once a dumping ground for garbage.  Designed by landscape architect Kongjian Yu, the waterfront park along the Tanghe River has become a popular place of gathering for local residents. The most noted feature of the park is the red steel "ribbon" that spans for a third of a mile.  It functions as seating, and it actually glows at night!  So beautiful! 

 

photos: Kongjian Yu, Cao Yang