Japanese Architecture firm Hironaka Ogawa were the masterminds behind this amazing home expansion in Kagawa, Japan. With the new found need for space, came the necessary demolition of old, sacred trees that had so much sentimental meaning for the homeowners. Instead of just parting ways, it was decided that the two trees would be repurposed into something greater for the family.

After cutting them down, the giant trees and their respective branches were dried and smoked for a two week process to relieve them of any excess water, and get them to their final size. Once finished, the trees became an integral part of the home– utilized as structural columns to support the high ceilings and extend just up to the edge of the mezzanine structure. They now sit in the central hub of the home, with their arm-like branches extended out nearest the walls and provide a hanging place for pendant lighting. An amazing and creative, adaptive reuse for these beautiful trees!

Giant Trees Repurposed Into Garden Tree House is a post from: Inthralld

Japanese style masking tape, more commonly known as “washi tape,” has seen a popular burst in use from us here stateside. With all of its amazing organizational uses, it’s hard not to want to put these intricately decorated tapes on just about anything and everything. Artist Koji Iyama created this jaw dropping installation with mt masking tape and it’s the perfect vibrant color combination for this Spring/Summer.

With plenty of Iyama‘s designs being for the tape brand, it only seemed natural to continue on with real life installations promoting the infinite uses for this cute, decorative tape. An old warehouse was the setting for this install, and hundreds of rolls of tape were used. From the ceiling, on the floor, walls, even bikes are covered in the illustrious tape.

Check out a clip of the installation progress below.

Via: Spoon & Tamago

Vibrant Washi Tape Warehouse Pop Up Shop Decoration is a post from: Inthralld

Many young girls have always wanted the “dream” life just like Barbie. While she always has the unattainable, now girls in Florida and even Berlin have the opportunity to visit “Barbie: The Dreamhouse Experience.” Visitors on both sides of the globe will have the chance to truly get inside of Barbie‘s home and see it all from a doll’s perspective.

The dream home location in Sawgrass Mills of Sunrise, Florida is over 10,700 square feet and opened on May 8th for a limited time. The incredible Dream House was built in less than a year, and incorporated over 20 lbs of glitter and 100 gallons of pink paint along! Each area of the home includes an interactive space such as the kitchen, vanity, closet, office, and there’s even a runway to participate in a fashion show during your experience. The home is certainly a wow-factor worthy space with plenty to see and look at, including the memorabilia that’s all over for the adults to enjoy, too.

Photos: ActiveRain

Life Sized Barbie Dreamhouse Tour Experience, Florida & Berlin is a post from: Inthralld

Pabst Blue Ribbon is a classic beer, and while the former brewery compound in Milwaukee is closed down (and has been, for quite some time), it is now proudly titled “Brewhouse Inn & Suites.” It’s a collection of 90 higher end suites, rooms and extended stay suites (studio, one and two bedrooms) for visitors to the midwest city. In conjunction with the rooms, there is a “Blue Ribbon Pub” on the first floor that ties in with the brewsky themed building.

The entire project features found and reused objects– including a gorgeous stained glass window with King Gambrinus front and center, repurposed wood as headboards and posts, and so many more details throughout. The copper kettles were even restored to a metallic glow, and are a focal point of the lower levels. Even beyond the 5 story hotel’s details is the well appointed shuttle bus, painted in the PBR colors for those traveling to and from sporting events, etc.

Photos: Bizjournal

Former Pabst Blue Ribbon Brewery Turned ‘Brewhouse Inn’ is a post from: Inthralld

Chairs are a dime a dozen out there, but a chair that solves a problem or offers up a great and easy solution is always a treat. Benjamin Hubert‘s design of the “Membrane” chair is an incredibly beautiful and simple solution for those on the go, or in a small space that tends to shift around constantly. If flexibility is your middle name, this chair is a fantastic option.

“Membrane” comes with few parts– aluminum and stainless steel frame pieces, bungee type fasteners and a mesh body. These all go together seamlessly to create a lightweight chair with minimal fabric and padding. Consequently, the lesser amounts of material used equate to a more eco-friendly chair all around. With his motto being “material driven” it’s safe to say that what it lacks in materials in makes up for in style and comfort.

Mesh ‘Membrane’ Chair by Benjamin Hubert is a post from: Inthralld

With the success of the early Summer blockbuster “Gatsby” it’s only fair that we give the design style of the 20s, 30s and 40s proper recognition. Art Deco was a major influencer in so many rectilinear and symmetrical patterns we see today. With much of the Deco style featuring bone, wood and other high end material inlays, intricate patterns and glamorous details– it’s a design style that’s hard not to love.

Perhaps your old home is full of character, some of which screams Art Deco that you’re not quite sure how to accentuate; or maybe you’re looking for some accents to add to an old Deco room. Whatever the case may be, we’ve scoured for some interesting spaces that range from all out roaring 20′s style to just a hint of the exuberant stylings in this luxury design style.

Design Inspiration: Top 17 Gatsby Inspired Art Deco Spaces is a post from: Inthralld

Architects Betillon and Dorval Bory were commissioned for the renovation of a tiny Paris apartment for a couple sharing the lofty space. The minimalist style is a blessing to this small footprint, though the science based exploration of the Color Rendering Index (or CRI) is the highlight of it all.

The main spaces are all dictated by stark, bright white illumination; while the bathroom area is separated by a warm yellow monochrome hue. And the amazing part is– all of the artificial light for this space extends off of one thin wall that sits to partition off the bathroom and kitchen/living areas. Other than that, all of the design elements are a play on light temperatures, the CRI and small instances of pattern and repetition.

Tiny Parisian Color Rendering Index Apartment is a post from: Inthralld

While we’ve featured some great designs by Basile Studio, one of their most successful and trendy completions is a 650 square foot restaurant space in San Diego, California. A small urban hipster space set in the Little Italy neighborhood of the city features the perfect indoor/outdoor combination for the amazing weather offered in America’s finest city.

While it might be difficult enough to find the street entrance to this space, maneuvering around is also a treat. Grabbing a seat here leaves you with one of three creative options: sit both inside and out at one of the window turned eating surface “tables,” perch at the bar, or sit in a narrow row facing the street to enjoy your bowl of ramen.

The center of the restaurant is an industrialized bar that’s consequently underlit. White subway tiles extend all the way up the rear wall and ceiling which mimics the carefully planned signage; all the while a KAWS companion sits up in a corner to watch over this unique find. And of course, the exterior features a discreet succulent wall complete with an inlaid mosaic style face.

Photos: Basile Studio

UnderBelly Urban Ramen House Design is a post from: Inthralld

There are so many reasons to have great prefab housing for those in need, and in lower-income areas. While it’s not drywall and foundation based, these homes come compact and easy to deliver with simple installation instructions. With Abod homes able to reach the far corners of the world and people who need it most, this can revolutionize housing for the poverty stricken parts of the globe.

With community in mind for these homes, the exterior arch plays on the interior aesthetics with the upper portion creating a sleeping loft accessed via a ladder. Not only can these be grouped in central locations to create safe havens and neighborhoods– expansion is easy as well. Connecting the Abod units creates a larger home for bigger families and one structure can be built in a days work.

Sturdy ‘Abod’ Prefab Structures For $6,000 Housing is a post from: Inthralld

If there were one dream play house for little kids who live for things like Pirates, cannonballs, treasure and swashbuckling, this Hammacher Schlemmer kid’s play house is the perfect inspiration for your own backyard theme. This unit is for when the average treehouse just won’t cut it.

Outfitted completely with classic Pirate decor, this towering ship houses a castle, bow and balcony– all ready for play time. A corkscrew slide and a fireman’s pole top it all off for that extra excitement of having a Pirate ship of your own. Fir wood framing and non-toxic paint help to craft it all into a surely cherished backyard addition for years to come. Though it’s got a hefty price tag ($27,000), this will surely spark some creativity for a home made version that’s just as great, and if not– more amazing.

23 Foot Tall Pirate Ship Playhouse is a post from: Inthralld