Fires inspired these fireshields and their beauty while offering defense from that which ensued. So it went with the Great Fire of London that began one September evening in 1666 in a small bakeshop on Pudding Lane. The fire was finally stopped at the barren spot left by the fire of 1633. The reversal in destiny – fire containing fire – illustrates the providence also in the artwork of these cityscape screens. (more…)

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According to Spiral Cellars, if I usually keep a few dozen bottles of wine around the house, and if I like to keep some of them for months before drinking them, I “need a Spiral Cellar.” Ergo, it seems my humble kitchen should now be outfitted with a nifty trap door.

Unfortunately, however, accessing my collection would then require descending into my landlord’s bedroom. Ah, one can dream. (more…)

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Living and working in the same environment isn’t for everyone; it takes a certain kind of person and a special space. Many who have tried it found that they live better, work smarter and play harder, but only if they can balance the space for all three. Here are some smart homes laid out for the division with bookshelves, plenty of work tables and “rooms” separated by invisible walls.

Philly Loft or Sweet, Sweet Treasure Chest?

Stephen Loidolt and Shauna Alterio hide away in their 2,300 square-foot one-bedroom and bath Philadelphia loft, aka an old tire factory. Being creative is what they do best, and decorating with second, third or fourth-time-around thrift, antique and Craigslist items are the inspiration for their living space. Stephen and Shauna’s source of pride is the built-in bookshelves they made from old scrap lumber. (more…)

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