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The Curve Appeal Freeform 3D Printed House

The Curve Appeal is the world’s first freeform 3D printed house designed by WATG Chicago’s Urban Architecture Studio. This house redefines traditional architectural aesthetics and gives a glimpse at the buildings of the future.

Its concept takes into consideration several factors including construction, ergonomics, building systems, and house structure from the ground up. The design, which won first place in the Freeform Home Design Challenge commissioned by Tennessee’s Branch Technology, includes all aspects of a house: material applications, mechanical, electrical needs, plumbing, and lighting requirements. Its construction utilizes a mix of carbon fiber and ABS plastic to create a lightweight curve, while foam and concrete make the structure strong and insulating.

Meanwhile, twenty-eight 3D-printed panels formed into sections and joined together create the final shape of the home. This home includes a living room, kitchen, one bedroom, and a bath in a 600-800 square foot floor area.

The Curve Appeal has a unique structure that incorporates the elements of nature. The passive solar design of the interior results in an open and light-filled living space that not only protects the occupants, but it also connects them to their natural surroundings. The interior archways support the exterior skin and replace traditional walls and ceiling.

Meanwhile, the exterior mimics a natural rock formation with the use of smooth concrete to form archways. The overall result gives the house an organic feel that blends into the landscape.

The Curve Appeal

Photos Courtesy Of WATG

November 1, 2018 / Comments Off

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Dream/Dive Platform By Studio North

Building a structure normally uses up multiple resources. Nevertheless, there are some companies that provide eco-conscious solutions that have minimum impact on our environment. Sustainability is the name of the game and one design studio practically lives by the concept. Optimizing what was readily available, the company constructs a picture-perfect combination of a small shelter and diving platform. The Dream/Dive Platform is located in a secluded but picturesque area within Bob’s Lake, Ontario.

Founded by Matthew Kennedy and Mark Erickson, Studio North is a Canadian workshop that maintains a unique philosophy. Each of their projects must bring out the beauty of the locale and the end product as well. That’s why the Dream/Dive Platform is a perfect example that showcases what the studio is capable of.

It uses a mix of wood recovered from a deck and a few 2×4 planks from a local shop. They wrapped the frame of the shelter with a mosquito net to take advantage of the sunlight and breeze—ideal for a nap or deep slumber. A wax canvas is on hand to quickly cover up the shed in order to block out rain and hot summer rays. If you want to take a dip, the lake is just a few steps and a dive away.

Furthermore, the rest of the materials used were salvaged from several sources such as a rowboat oar, rocks from the lake shore, and nylon rope from a sailboat. Now if only more builders adopt the same mindset as Studio North and create something like the Dream/Dive Platform.

Dream/Dive Platform

Photos courtesy of Studio North

October 31, 2018 / Comments Off

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Tumble Creek Cabin

The mining area in Washington State’s Cascade Mountains gets hit with scorching heat in the summer and terribly cold climates during winter. As such, the designers felt compelled to build something cozy and livable in such an unforgiving place. Thus came the Tumble Creek Cabin.

It was tricky to offset the extreme weather conditions. The designers ultimately combined solar panels, passive solar strategies, and a Tesla Powerwall so the home can operate off-grid. But function shouldn’t take over form entirely. As a result, they found a way to incorporate aesthetics that not only looked beautiful but made sense as well. One example is the gorgeous sloped roof, which actually filters the sun during the winter and summer months. It makes for more efficient ventilation around the house.

There’s an entry vestibule and mud room that conserves energy and serves as an elegant entry into the main living space. This room also serves as a special place to welcome visitors and an airlock to keep outdoor elements contained, which allows the house to keep winter drafts and summer heat at bay.

The main living room and the dining area of the Tumble Creek Cabin feature vaulted ceilings with exposed steel and wooden structural elements, allowing the space to feel more open, while the floor-to-ceiling windows offer terrific views of the landscape beyond.

Other notable sustainability features of the Tumble Creek Cabin include its radiant floor heating; an Energy Recovery Ventilation System; energy efficient aluminum-clad wood windows and doors; and use of rustic materials, including stone, weathering steel, and reclaimed barn wood with modern detailing. Oh, and did we mention the house has its own electric car charging station?

You can learn more about this home by going to Coates’ website.

Tumble Creek Cabin

Photos courtesy of Coates Design Architects

October 31, 2018 / Comments Off

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SimpliSafe Home Security

There’s been a boom in home security systems of late, thanks to the increasing number of manufacturers releasing internet-of-things devices. Not to mention major companies like Samsung, Apple, and Google are each buffing up their respective smart home platforms. Ultimately, these developments make it easier for us to integrate security devices into our households.

SimpliSafe isn’t a popular name the landscape just yet. That said, it has plenty to offer for your home security needs. Students from Harvard founded the company 10 years ago in response to apartment break-ins. They wanted to make a proper home monitoring system without the burden of signing contracts. They also didn’t like the idea of altering a property just to install the device.

Their solution? No-contract monitoring with wire-free security systems. Plus an entire lineup of security devices that can be moved from one rental space to another hassle-free. The entire setup includes base stations, entry sensors, motion detectors, high-decibel alarms, glass break sensors, smoke detectors, panic buttons, and an indoor surveillance camera to boot, which pretty much cover the bases.

SimpliSafe is also one of the more affordable out there for homeowners. In a world full of premium options, it’s a decent alternative. Plus, it’s also the easiest to set up and use. There’s one slight downside, however. If you already rely heavily on an existing smart home platform, SimpliSafe might not be the best choice. That’s because syncing devices will prove a bit difficult, if not downright impossible.

Suppose that doesn’t bother you at all, you should definitely go for SimpliSafe. If you’re on the market for a home security system that is easy to install and works out of the box without much hassle. You can browse the company’s website to get information on bundles.

SimpliSafe Packages

Photos courtesy of SimpliSafe

October 31, 2018 / Comments Off

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The Minimal Air Lounge Chair

Chairs are one of the most essential pieces of home decor. However, because they rarely go beyond convention in terms of design, they’re often ignored and brushed off. Worse, people rarely consider them as something that can be a conversation starter.

So comes furniture designer Kirill Fedorenko, who wants to prove that experimental chairs may fit into households. Bizarre furniture don’t just belong in showrooms. They can blend perfectly within your home, and the Air Lounge Chair is one example of that. The Air Lounge chair sheds away the unnecessary and superfluous. Instead, it opts for a barebones, minimalist take on a piece of furniture we’ve known our whole lives.

Fedorenko constructed the chair from plywood components. These act as the skeleton for the integrated elasticated rope, which then acts as the seat. The undulating braid of the rope means that it will be able to support any type of person, stretching downward to offset the weight and provide a laid-back experience.

Despite the overall minimalist approach, the chair does boast some ounce of flair, still — the rounded edges slope toward a sharp end pointing upward, providing it a slightly more brutal aesthetic; and the rope stitching is visible on the side frames, greatly complementing the plywood framing.

That combination of plywood and rope makes the Air Lounge Chair not only straightforward, but also elegantly stripped-down to its bare essentials. Fedorenko brilliantly deconstructed the components that make up a chair, took just the necessary elements, and made something functional and memorable in equal measure. This one is not to be missed. You can check out his Behance page for more information, and while there, you can view his other projects as well.

LEARN MORE HERE

Photos courtesy of Kirill Fedorenko

October 31, 2018 / Comments Off

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Rubika Bookcase

For homeowners who ache to go beyond the usual IKEA fare, here come a more unusual, experimental piece. Meet the Rubika Bookcase — it’s classy, it’s functional, and best of all, it’s avant-garde.

Designer George Bosnas made this home decor slash optical illusion. He of course drew inspiration from the Rubik’s Cube, an iconic ‘80s toy puzzle that’s as popular now as the first time it came out. Now, you can add that piece of nostalgia in your home. Not only will it look gorgeous, it’ll probably start conversations when you invite visitors over, too.

Though the bookcase stands flat against the wall, its shape varies when viewed in different angles. At times it seems it’s actually popping out, like an actual giant Rubik’s Cube. When reappropriating toys into a functional piece of furniture, you risk parodying the source material instead of paying proper homage. However, thanks to Bosnas’ excellent craftsmanship, the Rubika Bookcase refrains from being gimmicky. Instead, it pays an excellent tribute to what inspired it in the first place.

It’s rare that a bookcase can serve as a functional storage space and be its own spectacle at the same time. The Rubika Bookcase does so effortlessly. It’s built from medium-density fiberboard and finished with your choice of veneer or colored lacquer. You’d have to contact Anesis, the manufacturer, to get a price quote since the Rubika is made to order. Nevertheless, this would be a lovely addition to any home.

Rubika Bookcase

October 30, 2018 / Comments Off

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Shelter Island Hill House By Leroy Street Studio

The architects and designers from Leroy Street Studios have created another structural masterpiece—the Shelter Island Hill House. One of the characteristics that the firm had to take into consideration was how to match the dwelling with its surroundings. Given that the build site is set close to protected wetlands within a nature preserve. Giving them a chance at ultimately creating a design matching the serene environment.

What we see is an imaginative approach wherein the upper half of the building looks like its floating. This effect is possible via the liberal use of glass panels on the lower living space. The decision subsequently allows natural light to filter through. The overall frame of the house uses wood instead of steel, and its top exterior is mostly clad in cedar.

We love its distinctive arrangement wherein there are two separate spaces above connected by an open roof deck. One end houses the master bedroom, while the other side belongs to the kids. You can also make out that almost every corner and some sections of the upper areas are bedecked with large windows—possibly to minimize the need for artificial lighting during the daytime. Photos were taken of the Shelter Island Hill House amid its landscape that showcases the subdued but lavish home as it blends in flawlessly.

Leroy Street Studio

Photos courtesy of Leeroy Street Studio

October 30, 2018 / Comments Off

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By The Way House By KWK Promes

Depending on the architects forte each one does their best work in an urban setting or somewhere closer to nature. The By The Way House designed by KWK Promes can be categorized within the latter. It sits in a scenic countryside spot that also features a nearby river. Lush greenery and trees dot the area and give off a serene vibe. In order to avoid damage to the landscape, the designers noticeably gave way to nature and built a stylish twisting pathway that melds flawlessly with the structure

An aerial view of the dwelling makes it seem that the road sprouted up to form the frame. It then tapers off into a smaller pathway, which eventually leads to the shoreline. Form another angle, we see that the footpath connects to the balcony seamlessly. Great care and effort were taken by the designer to preserve the environment as the path carefully weaves around the trees. Furthermore, to keep its form continuous, the side that connects to the highway creates an overhang that shelters the owner’s vehicle from the elements.

The ground level of the By The Way House is mostly comprised of tall glass sections that give an illusion that the house is afloat. You can make out that floor-to-ceiling panels are likewise abundant on the top floor. This maximizes natural lighting to enhance the interior colors of the residence. We love to see more design studios come up with ideas that take advantage of the existing atmosphere.

KWK Promes

Photos courtesy of KWK Promes

October 29, 2018 / Comments Off

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Gray Head House

The rustic beauty of the Rocky Mountains come alive in the picturesque Gray Head House. This luxurious property sits on a 35-acre estate just outside Telluride, Colorado.

It stands out against the backdrop of nature with its unique crescent shape design inspired by internationally renowned architectures Simon and Hugh Jacobsen. Its construction alone is nothing short of fancy: made from a combination of glass, limestone, steel, and native stone.

The Gray Head House is comprised of ten interlocking pavilions that offer breath-taking views of the surrounding 14,000-foot peaks. The fixtures in each accommodation exude sophistication. Glass walls allow natural light to penetrate through the expansive interior which results in a warm and inviting space. Likewise, each living space has vaulted ceilings that provide dramatic views of the encircling mountain peaks and meadows.

Meanwhile, high-tech solar and air temperature monitor system adjusts accordingly to environmental changes. The living space also has air-conditioned floors to assure each guest of a relaxing and cool stay.

The Grey Head House offers guests the freedom to relax about in any way they can. They can sit by the terrace or visit the on-site courtyard or barnyard. They can also opt to stay indoors and lounge by the fireplace.

Learn More Here

Photos Courtesy Of Sotheby’s

October 29, 2018 / Comments Off

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The Impressive Herston Self Balancing Desk Lamp Serves You Well For All Purposes

Kickstarter is a treasure trove of interesting design ideas that you don’t always see in commercial retail. Okay, Kickstarter isn’t exactly the best place to invest things on. The degree by which makers successfully deliver their promised products varies greatly. While some problems are present in various potential products, that is not the case for the Herston people.

But we think the Herston Desk Lamp sounds impressive regardless. So impressive, that at the time of writing, 104 backers have already pledged nearly $36,000 to bring this product to life. That’s against its original goal of $13,073.

One look at the lamp and you’ll see why people are clamoring for this uber-stylish fixture. Not only does it look beautiful, but it also features a so-called counterbalance system delicately engineered to allow smooth and effortless adjustment to any position.

Herston Self-Balancing Desk Lamp — *[Image courtesy of Herston]*

Need to bring the lamp closer to the paper you’re working on? Just yank it over and it’ll stay in place. Light too close to you? Just push this Herston lamp back in one smooth action. You don’t have to tighten any screws or make complicated adjustments. Just move it and it stays. The base features a 360-degree rotation with unseen ball bearings so you can spin it smoothly.

It also uses carefully concealed conducting elements and hand-crafted wood to create an uninterrupted, sculptural form, which means you won’t have unsightly cables bothering you as you study on your desk. Herston packed the lamp with the latest LED technology that can be used either as a bright dimmable light. It can even be used as a more understated mood light too. This is one of the most flexible and well-crafted lamp designs we’ve seen thus far.

CHECK IT OUT HERE

[Featued Image courtesy of Herston]

October 22, 2018 / Comments Off

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Minimalism and Functionality Meet With The G Table

Minimalism, it’s either something you love or hate. We are personally big fans of minimalism. It gives you more space to breathe, and by cutting back on what you have you can appreciate those select items you allow in your life.

One of the problems with furniture and decorative pieces that are made with minimalism in mind is that although they are stunning, they are often unusable. The G Table, designed by Andrew Berezynsky could be one of those rare items that are both functional and minimal.

It has been devised to fulfil the role of a table or desk, while simultaneously giving you a place to keep those hardy succulents like cacti and similar plants. There are three sections on one side that are easy to move and rearrange. The tech box at the moment is designed with Apple Notebooks in mind and includes an adaptor integrated into the design.

The biggest problem with this G Table is that because it’s highlighted on Behance, it is more than likely a concept that will never come to fruition or will just be a one-off piece. Only time will tell if we are proven wrong and whether this will be found in trendy homes across the country in the near future.

Check It Out

October 11, 2018 / Comments Off

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Blow That Hangover Away With Blowfish For Hangovers

Hair of the dog, lots of fluids, greasy food, raw eggs (do you really need to punish your insides that badly?), going for a run, Gatorade or simply announcing that you are going teetotal; you may be familiar with many of these popular hangover cures if we can really call them that. How many of them have you actually tried and felt better for it? Most are not so much cures, and most are incredibly ineffective.

There is one solution that seems to be an effective way to undo the painful results of a heavy night of drinking. but one that has the full backing of the FDA though. That solution is Blowfish for Hangovers. This is apparently a very quick, easy and effective way to beat those mornings after the night before blues. Dissolve a couple of the specially formulated tablets into some water and drink the magical solution.

After just 15 minutes you will start to feel like you again, the way you were before the excess. As it is available at just 15 bucks, can you really afford not to invest in a stockpile of this stuff for your medicine cabinet?

Buy it Now

October 6, 2018 / Comments Off

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Nolla Energy-Efficient Cabin (on Airbnb!)

Neste might sound like a nice brand of chocolate – just us? – but they are in fact a Finish-based company that are committed to making our living more energy efficient. As a matter of fact, they are part of the pioneering group in supplying renewable diesel. Their latest venture is in the realm of clean energy, which is epitomized in their Nolla Cabin, a clean energy home.

Robin Falck is the brains masterminding the Nolla Cabin operation from his Helsinki base. This really cool cabin is something to behold due to its unique shape and design features. The first thing that hits you when looking at the innovative architecture is the huge triangular window. Well, if you can look past that for a moment, or through it, we would like to focus on the other hard work of the team and their main priority, its clean-living capabilities.

The cabin runs on renewable fuel (diesel) alone supplied by Neste. The fuel will be handed over to you when you stay there. Oh, did we forget to mention that this cabin is on Airbnb? Well it is, and the owner will be happy to supply the required fuel when you arrive. The money spent on staying there will be handed over to The Ocean Cleanup organisation who are dedicated to cleaning plastic out of our waters. The cabin of course has solar panels as well as a picturesque cooking nook complete with Wallas stove for a romantic evening.

This property makes for a perfect get-away with your better half and will undoubtedly make a lasting impression!

Book A Night Here

October 6, 2018 / Comments Off

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Pop This Tent On Just About Any Car

From the highly reputable design school in Renens, Switzerland, ECAL, Sebastian Maluska took on the challenge of redesigning the humble rooftop car tent. He based this passion for fine tuning the pop-up tent because of his love of surfing and skiing. As he said, it’s always nice when you can be the first on the slopes or the water. In order to do that, you need to get sleep when and where you can.

That is what led him to design a new version of the incredibly practical pop-up tent, that could be installed on almost any car roof. He took a lot of inspiration from watching sailors participating in the Volvo Ocean Race sleeping inside a boat. So he made the new pop-up tent with an aluminum frame, chosen for its lightweight properties and used sailing fabric because of its waterproofing.

The tent has been designed to comfortably house two people and opens and closes with relative ease and will give stunning views thanks to its positioning on top of a car. As no-one really wants to climb up and down their car, a handy ladder has been stored inside a pocket in the fabric.

Although it remains to be seen whether this will ever make it to the production stage and see the light of day, we feel it could be an excellent alternative to what’s out there at the moment.

Learn more

October 6, 2018 / Comments Off

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Ramat HaSharon Pavilion House

For most dudes, their home is their castle and today we want to take a look at one of the best modern castles around – the Ramat HaSharon Pavilion House. This modern house was designed by Tal Goldsmith Fish Design Studios and while we have no envy at all towards their ability to come up with a catchy business name, we do have envy towards their ability to design amazing homes.

The house is littered with sleek and minimalist features which make it stand out from the crowd. Side note – calling it a house feels like a bit of an injustice. Houses are in Wisconsin, works of art like this are in Israel.

The house is made up from cubes with added screens to continue a geometric theme. This allows light to pour in over the equally impressive interior while also warranting the exterior with a little more dazzle and texture. It has a conventional layout with living spaces on the lower floor and private quarters above. It gets its minimalist aesthetics from concrete polished flooring, white walls and a wall of glass. One of its practical features is that the extended roof protects from the sun’s midday intensity. Enough talking, more admiring!

Visit Tal Fish

October 6, 2018 / Comments Off

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Bourbon Barrel Adirondack Chair

The extremely talented craftsman Balazs Moldovan is the owner and manager of the Hungarian Workshop, whose life-long love of Lego brought him to where he is today.

You have to respect and admire a man who is making a living and paying the bills doing what he loves. What he loves, though, is what a lot of other people love too – beautifully handcrafted wooden furniture.

One of the latest creations from Moldovan’s workshop is this remarkable and striking Bourbon Barrel Lounge Chair. We think this would look great on the front porch or in your back garden – a place for you to chill and have a cold one on a hot summer’s day!

Each and every, individual backyard lounger is constructed using reclaimed natural bourbon barrel wood, which has been sourced directly from a Bluegrass distillery. This is combined with beautiful and reliable American Oak and stainless steel.

Moldovan has been careful to sand the wood down so it makes for a comfortable chair, but without losing the authentic patina that the wood has developed from being used to age whiskey for decades.

Because it is made from natural wood, the imperfections and grain of each piece will be slightly different. You have the choice between an open top or closed top backrest for the lounger.

Purchase The Bourbon Barrel Chair Now

September 5, 2018 / Comments Off

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Svartviksvägen House

The Svartviksvägen House, a shoebox bungalow stilted on a mountaintop, offers fantastic views of the Sörmlands archipelago with its huge picture windows, plus cozy living spaces decked in minimalist flair, though never austere-looking.

The whole house is an architectural marvel, suspended and hovering over the cliffside via metal stilts. The exterior shows a fine blend of sophistication and ruggedness: The glass panes evoke sleekness, which then becomes a highlight in contrast with the more unpolished presentation of the rest of the structure.

Another reason why this is a marvel of architecture is the fact that no blasting was done during its development. The designers and engineers worked hard to interpolate this home into nature while creating as little impact as possible on the surroundings.

The interior is as brilliantly designed as the exterior, with the predominantly white walls and pale wood floors matching the fine balance of modern and old-fashioned elements evoked outside. The open living area is constantly bathed in light thanks to the wrap-around windows, and offers up panoramic views of the surrounding treetops and shore below. The living room spills out into a cantilevered deck/balcony that’s shaded by an oversized roof, perfect for staring at sunsets in the summertime.

Now, on to the specifics. The Svartviksvägen House features 2,137 square meters of land area — natural plot, the listing notes. It has five bedrooms in total, three of which are bedrooms, and the house is categorized as a single-family home. You can check out the whole floor plan at Fastighetsbyrån.

Svartviksvägen House

Photos courtesy of Fastighetsbyrån

August 29, 2018 / Comments Off

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Hitch Hotel Expandable Wheel-Less Trailer

When we talk about trailers, no matter the make or model, we immediately picture something with wheels. That’s all about to change as Hitch Hotel breaks the mold by being the first and only expandable trailer that doesn’t need them.

It might sound unbelievable at first, but the company was able to live up to its claim—thanks to the clever use of lightweight materials and innovative design. To keep its heft at a minimum, the trailer is constructed out of T6 aluminum and fiberglass. Built-in adjustable struts swing out to keep the camper stable when its drawn out to full length.

Fully-closed, the Hitch Hotel provides you with 60 cubic feet of space (enough for three full-size bicycles)—to store your additional cargo securely for travel. The magic actually happens when it’s fully-expanded, wherein you’re given a whopping 135 cubic feet sleeping area that’s roughly the size of a queen size bed. Moreover, its compact form factor makes it easy to store in your garage when not in use.

Compatibility requirements dictate that the portable storage/camper is ideally supported by vehicles with a class 3 hitch rating or higher. However, depending on the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of your ride, some class 2-rated models might be able to support it. After all, the entire package just weighs in at a manageable 245 pounds.

Get The Hitch Hotel Here

Photos courtesy of Hitch Hotel

August 3, 2018 / Comments Off

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Outdoor Cumaru TV Lift Cabinet

I think we have all been torn from the beautiful weather in our gardens and backyards to have to go inside to watch the big game. Or maybe you just want to combine indoor entertainment with some fresh air and outdoor relaxation. Or maybe you want some alone time without having to lock yourself in your man cave on a warm day. Well the indoor-outdoor conundrum can be a decision of the past with an outdoor TV cabinet. Imagine the BBQs and social events you can host with the addition of the big game, all from the comfort of a deck chair and the sun’s evening rays while sipping a cold one.

The outdoor Cumaru TV Lift Cabinet makes all this possible. The cabinet itself is made from robust cumaru wood which is perfect for withstanding the outdoor element, including the wind and harsh sun. The cabinet has a “top shelf” feature which can also prevent any unwanted glare from obstructing your view of the game. On top of all of this, the cabinet has eye-appeal. The wood and design are a great addition to any garden and will make nosey Norris next door more than jealous.

SEE MORE

https://www.cabinet-tronix.com/tv-lift-cabinets/veranda-cumaru-furniture-hides-tv

July 27, 2018 / Comments Off

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Blue Fox Wood Indoor Basketball Hoop

Combine your love for natural wood furnishings and basketball with the exceedingly well designed and expertly handcrafted wooden indoor Basketball Hoop. Using sustainable lumber, Blue Fox Furnishings have created an elegant piece of sports equipment that will fit in with the decor of your professional office or your home, while providing a fun way to pass some time.

The backboard has been finished in a weathered-look gray wash wood stain and a semi-gloss varnish that will protect it from wear and tear.

This rim is made from USA steel and has a diameter of 9 inches and comes complete with a smart and almost sophisticated black net.

Mounting is made incredibly easy and can be done straight out of the box, using the supplied hardware, your DIY prowess and some tools. This is a truly unique item, as unique as the timber used in its creation, which means no two Blue Fox Furnishings Wood Indoor Basketball Nets are quite the same.

If you want to participate in some light indoor free throws or just want to show your love for the game in a highly fashionable and stylish way, this is the item for you. Don’t miss out on the opportunity and order one today!

Blue Fox Wood Indoor Basketball Net

July 25, 2018 / Comments Off

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