If It's Hip, It's Here (Archives)

It's a Treehouse. It's a Brewery. It's The Treehouse Brewing Company.

The other night I was watching Treehouse Masters on Animal Planet and caught an episode where Pete Nelson and his crew from Nelson Treehouse and Supply were constructing a 200 foot treehouse that would function as a brewery tasting site for the craft-beer loving folks who own The Mohican Cabins and The Grand Barn, a popular wedding venue in Ohio.

Nelson's team, along with three Amish Carpenters, took four weeks to construct the 200 square foot treehouse. Suspended 22 feet off the ground, the charming micro-brewery has a 40 foot extension bridge that leads you to the front door.

The treehouse was designed to look like an old Ohio barn from the 1800s, painted bright red and outfitted with a $10,000 Gothic stained glass window.

Inside, a custom bar was designed with old wine barrels, a fully functional brewing set up and a European-style draft system.

The tap pull has a special hand crafted wooden tree house atop it:

And there's even a plumbed outhouse neatly tucked on the side:

This is actually the second treehouse that Pete Nelson and his crew built for property owner Kevin Mooney, the first being a honeymoon cabin suite with with three queen beds, two showers, a full kitchen and satellite TV.

The Treehouse Brewing Company (not to be confused with the Tree House Brewing Company in Massachusetts) will be run by Mooney's son and, in addition to their own craft beer, they have others to taste as well. Check it out next time you're in Ohio.

Catch Treehouse Masters on Animal Planet Friday nights at 10PM (ET/PT)

some images courtesy of Nelson Treehouse and Supply, other images by Quin Mooney and courtesy of Animal Planet and The Mohican Grand Barn blog.

Floating Wooden Sustainable Egg Pod Is Home To Artist Stephen Turner For A Year.

The Exbury Egg is a collaborative project between artist Stephen Turner, SPUD and PAD studio. After almost 3 years in development, the energy efficient, self-sustaining pod will serve as home and workspace to Stephen in the estuary of the River Beaulieu.

Splinter Works' new limited edition tub, the Vessel, was inspired by the hammock. The slick and sexy tub was designed for use in a wet room and is completely suspended above the ground.

The following text is from their press release:
Struck by the synergy between the shapes of two compelling symbols of relaxation, a hammock and a bath tub, Splinter Works were inspired to develop a piece that would provide the ultimate vehicle for total escapism.

The peaceful experience of kicking-back in a hammock has been further enhanced by combining it with the immersive comfort of soaking in a hot bath. By literally elevating the experience of bathing into a suspended sculpture the bathroom has been reinvented as a contemplative sanctuary for artful relaxation.

Designed for use in a wet room, Vessel is suspended from the walls and does not touch the floor. It is fixed with stainless steel brackets that can be covered over, or left revealed.

The bath is filled using a floor standing tap and the waste water released through the base into a floor drain. A downpipe drain can also be installed if a wet room setting is not possible.

Vessel is made from carbon fibre which is utilised for its inherent strength and ability to be formed into complex curves, furthermore the weave of the fabric references the cloth of a typical hammock. Beneath the layers of carbon fibre lies a foam core, which insulates the tub, meaning the bath stays hot for considerably longer than normal.

At 2.7m long, Vessel is longer than a regular bathtub, leaving plenty of room to share the experience. Custom sizes are available but it is also designed so that it can be trimmed up to 20 cm to allow for flexible installation. Pictured here in black, it also available in red, blue, yellow, pink, bronze and pure silver.

Limited Edition Design, Carbon Fibre
2500-2700 mm Long
800 mm Wide

About Splinter Works:
Splinter Works’ mission is to create furniture that is engaging and inspiring. Through their designs they strive to enrich the lives of users, enhancing their environment and elevating the experience of everyday life. Their aim is to create work that is individual, thought provoking, aesthetically beguiling, intelligently designed and seamlessly functional. The designs are experimental and theatrical, whilst maintaining the importance of the inherent function of the piece. The work revels in playing visual tricks where balance is often questioned. Opposing dichotomies of solidity versus weightlessness, motion versus stillness, and strength versus fragility are played out in ambitious designs through innovative materials. Splinter Works' limited-edition collection currently ranges from desks, dressing tables, dining tables, consoles, loungers, stools, bath tubs and pool slides. Alongside working on their editioned portfolio, they produce unique commissions where every element, from the intended location and practical requirements, to striking a personal resonance with the commissioner, can be considered and accomplished.

All the pieces are all handmade in Britain. Splinter Works was formed in 2009 and is a collaboration between Miles Hartwell and Matt Withington.

The design studio is based in the UK, thirty minutes south of London.

Splinter Works Sculptural Furniture

Award-Winning Modern Bed Is Easy To Assemble And Easy On The Eyes.

The Tiefschlaf and the Tiefschlaf II designed by Linda Altmann and Oliver Krapf for STADTNOMADEN is a modern, easy to assemble, elegant looking bed available in two styles, three finishes and with adjustable stainless steel feet.

Designed by Young & Battaglia, the King Edison pendant lamp combines whimsy with functionality. A tiny functioning chandelier is suspended inside a hand blown clear glass bulb with satin chrome fittings and hung on a braided silken cable.

The name, King Edison, is tongue-in-cheek nod to the regal design of the chandelier and the lightbulb's original inventor. The piece is made in England by Mineheart, the design consultant company and online store launched by Brendan Young and Vanessa Battaglia in 2010.

above: designers Brendan Young and Vanessa Battaglia

The lamp was one of 2 new exciting lighting designs launched at the New York ICFF this past May. The other was the "Nightingale" figurine table lamp shown below (not yet available for purchase):

The King Edison Pendant Lamp:

• Ideal for handing individually or in clusters for maximum effect.
• Current lead time: 4-6 weeks
• For use with a 12 volt power supply, (transformer included).
• Supplied with a 2 metre braided cable and ceiling rose (longer cable available on request).
• Bulb dimensions: 15cm x 21cm

Price: $770.78 (£480.00)
Order it here

all images and info courtesy of Young & Battaglia and Mineheart

African Queen. The New Limited Edition Tribal Beauty Barbie.

The first doll in the Global Glamour™ Collection shows her exotic side wearing an intricate ensemble featuring a feathered midriff top, golden breastplate adornment, waist-attached bead fringe, earrings, bangles, long split skirt and elaborate headpiece. Her zebra scepter pays tribute to the royal splendor of Africa and her status as a reigning queen of fashion.

Doll Details
Body Type: ModelMuse™
Skin Tone: Light Brown
Facial Sculpt: Pazette
Fashion Sewn On?: No
Eyelashes: Applied

Stand is Included with doll

For the adult collector.

There is a limit of 5 dolls per order.

$125 USD, buy it here

images and information courtesy of Barbie Collector

Game Of Thrones and HBO Unveil Their Second Brew, Take The Black Stout.

If you hadn't already heard, Brewery Ommegang and HBO partnered on a series of beers inspired by the critically-acclaimed drama Game of Thrones.

The first release, the golden amber Iron Throne ale, sold out quickly due to small quantities and great demand. The second, soon to be released "Take The Black Stout", is said to be doubled in volume, so there's enough to go around for avid fans.

Take the Black Stout is a 7% beer, brewed with base, caramel, chocolate and roasted barley malts. Hopping includes Great Northern hops; spices are licorice root and star anise. Hue is black with full tan head. Aromas include chocolate, caramel, and earthy hops, light roastiness, a touch of fruitiness. Tastes include chocolate, coffee, rich malts, and balanced roastiness. Clean hop bitterness joins with slight woody character and spiciness; the finish offers sweet malt character leading to spicy, earthy, hop bitterness.

Take the Black Stout is named for the oath taken by those who stand the Night’s Watch at the Wall, defending Westeros against northern.

above: The label features the Weirwood trees considered sacred by the people of the North. It was designed by a52, the same studio that designed the impressive opening sequence for "Game of Thrones."

above: screengrab of a Weirwood tree from Game of Thrones

Take The Black Stout will be available in limited quantities in 750ml bottles & 1/6 BBL kegs beginning October 2013.

Brewery Ommengang and HBO are said to be releasing four game of Thrones Beers in total.

If you never heard about the first release, Iron Throne Ale, here's some info and pics for you:

Iron Throne is a blonde ale at 6.5% ABV and brewed with a robust amount of pils, honey malt, aroma malts and red wheat. Gentle hopping includes Styrian Golding and Hallertau Spalter Select, appropriately noble hops. Spiced with grains of paradise and lemon peel. Hue is a slightly hazy golden amber. Head is full and fluffy. Finish is crisp, backed by a touch of spice and hops. Aroma is a bit grassy with a hint of lemon fruitiness from the lemon peel. Taste is lightly malty, rounded out by honey malt sweetness.