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Showing posts with label gardening. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gardening. Show all posts

Modern London Suburban Studio with Sedum Roof and Heated Paddling Pool by Ashton Porter.




North London architecture firm Ashton Porter added this fabulous modern studio with rooftop garden, heated paddling pool, full kitchen and more to a suburban home.





The studio is located in a typical Victorian suburban garden. Its main facade which faces the garden floats above a glass panel and forms a screen to separate the work space of the studio from the domestic garden.




The typical green suburban garden is replaced by a folded timber landscape characterized by a pop up landscape of activities including a heated paddling pool, a sand pit and a fire pit.





The materials of the studio make reference to the suburban context; timber cladding echoes domestic fencing, corrugated aluminum refers to inter-war prefabricated garages and a former Anderson shelter.




The studio is super-insulated and benefits from a sedum roof; heating is provided by Apple Macintosh computers with very occasional recourse to underfloor heating.







The main facade is unsupported along its full length and rests on cantilevered side walls. The wall construction is entirely from stressed ply composite panels with no hidden steel supporting frame.





Ground was first broken in September 2005 for footings and to install water, electrical, gas and communications services. The studio was ready for occupation in April 2008. Since then the garden as completed and the main house has been refurbished with a new rear addition and remodelling. This was completed in Spring 2010.




all images courtesy of Ashton Porter and photographed by Riddle Stagg

ashton porter are an architectural practice based in the North London suburbs.

A New Perspective on Hanging Plants. Introducing Boskke Sky Planters.



Boskke has evolved indoor gardening with the advent of their Sky Planter. Their unique upside down stoneware and plastic planters allow you to sprinkle greenery in any room without sacrificing floor or table space.

Baddy, The Modern Garden Gnome. Now in 8 Colors.




I've never been a big garden gnome fan, but these "baddies' by JVLT (artist Joe Velluto) for Plust could change all that.




A modern garden gnome in several finishes, “Baddy” is a colored resin sculpture suitable for outdoor and indoor settings. In the luminescent version it acts as a “dwarf guard” thanks to a luminous resin that absorbs light momentarily and then releases it for several hours, making it a small presence in the night.

black, metallic gold and white:

fuschia, acid green, and dull green (ivory not shown):

photoluminescent:

Joe Velluto
Plust

Lean, Mean, Trims The Green & Every Lazy Homeowner's Dream. Husqvarna's Automatic Robotic Solar Lawnmower.





I know it's Mother's Day today (Happy Mother's Day!) and this would be way up there on my wish list. If I had kids. Or a lawn. Regardless, this is one of those luxuries I aspire to own.

It's as though an eco conscious RoboCop gave birth to a lawnmower. Husqvarna's top of the line automated robotic mower is as beautifully designed as a new sports car and it will mow your lawn without complaining. (Plus, I'd love to see it battle with a Roomba).



No emissions, low noise (see the people pleasantly sleeping in the hammock? lol), low energy consumption, weather-proof and can handle slopes up to 35%... oh, and did I mention? You don't have to mow your own lawn!

The Automower® Solar Hybrid is the world's first fully automatic lawn mower that is partly powered by the sun.





The product uses considerably less energy than any conventional mower. That's because in addition to a charging station, it comes with a large integrated solar panel. When there is daylight available, the solar cells enable the mower to extend its cutting periods before it needs recharging. That means a cut lawn in a shorter time, even lower power consumption and an extended battery life. Suitable for lawns up to 1/2 acre, depending on light conditions.

• With the lift and tilt sensors, if it runs into something it will redirect itself without causing damage:


•The Solar Panel is an additional energy source that gives Automower® extra power directly from the sun:


•With the settings panel the mower can be programmed to fit many different lawns and preferences:


• The cutting height adjustment is easily done from above by turning one large knob:


• When the Automower® needs more power, it finds its own way back to the charging station:


Battery type: NiMH
Typical charging time: 45 min
Typical mow time on one charge: 60 min

Like I said at the beginning of the post, this one is their top of the line and the price reflects that. With a suggested retail price of $3,000.00, you'd better have lots of lawn or lots of disposable income, preferably both.


To find where to purchase the Husqvarna Automated Solar Hybrid Mower, go here.

Books Become Planters At Gartenkultur Of Italy



Gartenkultur of Italy has found a way to repurpose and recycle old hardback books. By drilling all the way through a book (or a stack of books glued together) adding a mesh net and some dirt, they become planters. Succulents, bonsai trees and other small greenery can happily live in these novel homes.

Funky Find Of The Week: Tree Jewelry, Necklaces For Trees





This post has been updated in 2009 to include new necklaces for the trees. All are available for purchase.... seriously.- editor

I really thought I'd seen pretty much everything until I saw this, thanks to my friend Betsy Wills who brought this odd and incredulous product to my attention.







Tree Jewelry® are actual steel necklaces strung on indestructible marine line, finished with marine hardware and are said to last a lifetime (yours or the tree's, I am not certain).









Feel the need to adorn your Oak? Embellish your Maple?
Need to get the Little Alpine something to say your sorry?

To see pricing or to purchase, go here.

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