An article on Good.is today about the architectural equivalent of the 100-mile diet, i.e., a simple set of guidelines for locavores, got us thinking about all the other green architecture news and resources out there. So, we’ve rounded up some helpful links on the subject to incite, instigate and inspire.

No stranger to inspiration himself is Lance Armstrong, famed cancer survivor, world-renowned cyclist and founder of LIVESTRONG, a non-profit supporting cancer research and awareness and offering resources to those battling the disease.

The foundation’s headquarters in Austin, Texas, was one of Austin’s first gold-certified LEED facilities when it opened its doors a few years ago, and proudly so; you can read about its rather fascinating history at the official LIVESTRONG website.

In more recent news, The Huffington Post ran an interesting piece this week about affordable prefabricated green homes…it’s most definitely worth a read:

If you’ve got golf on your mind as spring approaches, consider checking out Mirimichi just outside of Memphis, Tennessee, one of the most environmentally conscious courses in the U.S., brought to us by none other than supercrooner Justin Timberlake himself. Who knew?

And it looks like Tennessee as a whole is catching on and changing the game of eco-architecture. This week, WTVC News Channel 9 covered the unveiling of Chattanooga Airport’s new 9,000 square foot corporate flight center — an space so energy-efficient that it was recently awarded Platinum LEED status. Not too shabby indeed…

…and last but not least, just to keep it balanced, we’re sharing this incisive and sometimes rather harsh article from The Daily Beast entitled “The Bad News About Green Architecture.” Some of its points aren’t pretty, but they’re worth digesting all the same. And with that, we’re off to enjoy some fresh air on this lovely Saturday — here’s hoping you do the same.

Photo credits: Good.is, LIVESTRONG and The Huffington Post.

Since we do a majority of our dreaming in bed, it stands to reason that we may as well have creative surroundings lulling us to sleep each night, hinting at the wild flights of fancy we’ll enjoy while we’re getting our ZZZs. And in an era when our desires to update our homes are met with equal and opposite pressure from ever-tighter budgets, a little inventiveness is sometimes in order. Above, reading bedtime stories is easier than ever with this wall covering from Sweden’s Mr. Perswell, which eliminates the need for a headboard — or even a bed frame, for that matter — altogether. And below, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Jen Woodhouse spent a total of $76 on her self-upholstered headboard, placing three geo/typographic framed prints above it for balance:

The blogger behind House*Tweaking built this headboard from the remnants of her late grandmother’s fence and employed a warm mustard and grey palette to breathe life back into it, not to mention a little paint and a steady hand:

And in a similarly inspired fashion, the folks in charge over at Mrs. Fancy Pants — the irrepressible Sally Bryant and her husband, designer/illustrator Will Bryant — tried their collective hand at an homage to the headboards at Portland’s ACE Hotel with their own reclaimed wood from a family fence. They completed the look with Scrabble-inspired throw pillows purchased via Etsy, plus a four-legged friend courtesy of the local animal shelter:

For something a smidge less labor-intensive but still rather brilliant, the fine folks at Better Homes & Gardens offer up a bit of inspiration with a shopping list of fabric, plywood and florist’s foam:

And finally, when all else fails, perhaps the simplest solution is to form a grid of mirrors, either framed or plain like the ones comprising this cool blue cubic wall effect:

Each of these creative headboards says something personal about the bed’s inhabitants via the choices they made in selecting their materials, the decisions they reached on their color schemes and the specific ways in which they brought their ideas to life. In fact, one might say the joy of creating a cozy personal sanctuary unlike any other is — quite fittingly — the stuff dreams are made of.

Photo credits: Mr. Perswall, Jen Woodhouse, House*Tweaking, Mrs. Fancy Pants, Better Homes & Gardens and Sunset.

Situated between two tall houses that shield natural light between them lays an inspiring Tijauana, Mexico home that incorporates creative wood accents and modern accessories to create the perfect family home.  The narrow property lot had to be creatively planned and designed and Casa Becerril reflects the careful forethought from the design firm Gracia Studio.

Through the use of industrial materials such as polycarbonate, wood, concrete and steel, it’s a wonder that the interiors feel warm and welcoming. As it should, due to the design firm wanting to create a family home that would bring the family closer together by sharing in one main common area.

‘The main purpose is to promote the family interaction by having only one area to share time together. The prismatic form of the house responded merely to the construction process and for the simplification of interior spaces. Making spaces more open and less complicated.’… Gracia Studio

The gorgeous wood used throughout the home softens the industrial materials, and paired with marble and glass in the kitchen and living spaces creates a family home that isn’t dwarfed in aesthetics by its taller neighbors. The neutral palette of colors, and the marrying of uncomplicated interior spaces, in Casa Becerril look like a beautiful retreat to come home to and enjoy family and alone time.

The heart of the home lies in the center, with the kitchen and dining space looking into a courtyard equipped with a Jacuzzi, fireplace and barbecue area. Once again, the family inspired theme of the home is repeated throughout, as the design warrants interaction and visual cues to keep the home unified and warm. Casa Becerril is an inspiring home that creates the feeling every family cherishes in their humble abode.

All photo credits: Architizer via 2 Modern Blog

National Book Month may not be until October, but we couldn’t wait that long to share all the cool book-related fun we’ve found on the web lately. So, today’s link roundup is decidedly literary in theme. And thus, our first chapter: a gallery of ten eye-popping bookcases from the good folks at Furniture Fashion (sample shown above). Makes us want to call in sick and curl up with a good book all day, really…

…but since there’s work to be done, we’ll forge on with this link, courtesy of Marie Claire Maison, to a gorgeous retrofitted shelf built perfectly up to a pointed ceiling…absolutely stunning:

…and while we’re on the topic of things that are stunning, the proprietors of Type, a bookstore in Toronto, painstakingly made a stop-motion film showcasing a whimsical adaptation of what just might happen in the bookstore at night when nobody’s looking. If only this sort of thing took place in our libraries at home…or does it?

…on the topic of books themselves, The Monacelli Press (a division of Random House) recently released a gorgeous coffee table book from Mona Hajj called Interior Visions, visually chronicling Platt’s classically elegant design adventures over the years…

Photo credits: Furniture Fashion, Marie Claire Maison, and Type.

With all the multitasking we do on a daily basis, it can seem like an insurmountable challenge to come home at the end of the day and prepare a healthful meal that doesn’t involve bags of takeout. Technology to the rescue: several kitchen appliance manufacturers are hoping to take the sting out of meal preparation for those of us short on time and patience. Samsung’s LCD touch screen refrigerator (above) is but one major leap into the future with its interactive screen that essentially acts like an iPad. It offers apps for downloading to connect you to Facebook and Twitter, weather updates, news headlines and — obviously — recipes and cooking tips. In fact, for those of us who aren’t exactly morning people, it just might get us up and at ‘em each day in a slightly more efficient manner.

Then, there’s the GE Advantium speed-cooking oven, which its maker claims can cook a meal at least seven times faster than a typical oven; for example, a 5-lb chicken is reportedly ready to eat in about half an hour. Not too shabby:

Now, here’s a little something straight from outer space (or so it seems): the Polara refrigerator/range from Whirlpool. Picture this: before you leave home in the morning, you pop dinner into the appliance, cold as can be.  It’s kept cold during the day and switches to range mode at whatever time you determine, cooking your meal for you before you even get home.

And for the total overachiever, there’s the THINQ series from LG. Its SmartGrid system syncs up your fridge, oven, washer, dryer and vacuum cleaner (!) with your smart phone, providing recommendations on the most low-impact ways to get your chores done using the smallest possible amounts of energy and water. Cost-conscious and energy-efficient at the same time? Now that’s progress.

Photo credits: Samsung, GE, Whirlpool and LG.

If you’re like many homeowners, the thought of landscaping and thinking about your outdoor home during the winter is the furthest from your mind! Now that spring is right around the corner, your outdoor home could use some tender loving care to show off its beautiful curb appeal. Whether you are trying to sell your home, or you just enjoy having an appealing yard to greet your guests, here are tips to get you going on the right track before spring arrives.

• Clean and repair from the winter:  The cold temperatures, wind chills and dormant state of the winter season can cause many parts of your outdoor home to stop working, or get weathered. Take an assessment around your house for broken gutters and downspouts, missing or broken pavers in your walkway or driveway, as well as front porch furniture conditions. Consider pressure washing metal and concrete areas of your outdoor home to remove winter salt, dirt, and debris. Walk out to the street and examine your landscaping from afar. Are there tree branches that need pruning? How about fences that need repainting? All of these areas will help out your spring curb appeal immensely.

Photo credit: Casa Sugar

• Plan out foliage and spring additions: If you are planning on planting new plants for the spring, consider buying them now from nurseries and home improvement garden centers. Many can be kept inside your home in planters until spring, and you will save money and may get a wider selection than waiting for the upcoming season. Don’t forget ground cover such as mulch, nuggets, and rocks in plant beds. These areas tend to get worn away by winter’s elements. Keeping them maintained can help keep spring weeds to a minimum. Planning your spring foliage and ground cover now will help you get ready to plant once your geographic region is out of the threat of frost.

Photo credit: Hooked on Houses

These helpful tips to perk up your curb appeal before spring will brighten up your outdoor home, and save you the stress later on in the season. Don’t forget safety concerns when addressing curb appeal. Nighttime lighting, uneven pavers in your sidewalk, and loose handrails are also curb appeal factors that will make your home look great, and keep your house guests safe and well.

Photo credit top: Home D-zine

The right color can be just the thing to lift a mood, calm the nerves, stimulate conversation or set guests at ease; for decades, color theory has been put to good use in city planning, health care and, of course, interior design. The minds behind Pantone – the company responsible for the universally-accepted Pantone Matching System for color quality control in the design and printing industries – are well aware of the effects of each color on the spectrum. That’s part of the reason why they’ve released a host of accessories for daily use, like toothbrushes, contact lens cases, candles, mugs and storage cases, among other objects.

Pantone candles in particular have their own individual scents and are manufactured in Belgium by a company called Ilanga; the series (shown above) comes in three sizes and ten colors. Although they aren’t known to be widely accessible in the United States, they’re plentiful across Europe, particularly in areas where graphic design and print are king.

More readily accessible – specifically, from Pantone itself – are common household items like mugs, storage boxes and iPhone cases, all available in past Pantone-declared colors of the year: 2012, for example, is the year of Tangerine Tango, while 2011 was commemorated with the bright pink Honeysuckle (as seen in the storage box below), contrasting warmly with the previous year’s Turquoise.

Novelty shop Kikkerland gets a little more personal with offerings based on the internationally acclaimed palette, peddling toothbrushes and contact lens cases in Pantone’s signature hues:

For the artist or design enthusiast who’s not particularly easy to please, or for a foolproof way to infuse a particular color into a home in an understated and sophisticated way, these chic little lifestyle items from one of the most respected brands in the visual arts world are a surefire hit.

Photo credits: Pantone and Kikkerland.

Today’s whirl through the world wide web uncovered some beautiful images of architectural delights. First, Anthology Mag gives us a tantalizing taste of the Hotel Endemico Resguardo Silvestre near Baja California, Mexico, in which 20 austere, self-contained suites (shown above) stand against a hillside, overlooking vineyards as far as the eye can see. Vacation, anyone?

Speaking of vacations, Remodelista showcases its home of the week: Casa Lola, a bucolic space in Trancoso, Brasil – a fishing-village-turned-resort-town.  Casa Lola’s main house and guest lodgings are separated by a tranquil pool lined with volcanic tile:

Not far away from those divine casitas is the work of Gaeta Springall Architects, like this arresting private residential space in Mexico City, shared by VectroAve:

Urban Homes gives us a digital glimpse into the Feb/March issue of its Charlotte, North Carolina edition, overflowing with Southern charm and hospitality…

…and last but not least, architecture geeks will no doubt enjoy the backstage pass ArchiDose is granting us to the Metals in Construction, 2012 Facades Conference held by The Architect’s Newspaper and The Ornamental Metal Institute of New York, where experts are talking about the future of metals in the architecture rising up around us each day…a tall topic indeed.

Photo credits: Anthology Mag, Remodelista and VectroAve.

In an urban environment, the need for bringing serenity and peace into your home is essential. In the city center apartment called ‘An Urban Refuge’ in Barcelona, Spain, the homeowner desired interiors that reflected his lifestyle, while still keeping clean and open views to the outside world. The serenity comes from the simple white interiors with pops of yellow accents throughout that define his living spaces, as well as characterize attention to simple details.

The ability to create a living space that maximizes comfort for the homeowners and their lifestyle is always at the forefront of good design. ‘Architect Sergi Pons claims that the owner spends a lot of time ironing, so created a large aperture facing out from the laundry area into an open-plan living and dining room.’ … Dezeen

Often times the homeowner has to adapt to their living quarters. In the case of the Urban Refuge, the home adapts to the homeowner. Organic materials throughout the apartment, including pine flooring and surfaces, create a serene aesthetic that is wholesome and genuine. Sergi Pons has examined the interplay between the spaces, and while the home appears as though it would feel small, the light sources provide an open airiness throughout the apartment.

‘An effort has been made to freeze this moment of intimacy and to use a large window to frame an undervalued yet daily activity.’ … Sergi Pons

What makes this home unique is its unexpected saturation of yellow in every room. From playful doors joining spaces together, or the yellow screens concealing the bedroom, these whimsical details create a one-of-a-kind refuge for the homeowner. Designing a home that keeps the occupant at the forefront of design is essential in this day and age of copycat designers. An Urban Refuge is a refreshing take on serenity and simplicity married happily together.

All photo credits: Adrià Goula via Dezeen.

Given the rise of mid-century modern design in recent years, homage must be paid to its most prominent progenitors, who happened to be a husband and wife team. Born to a St. Louis-based architect in 1907, Charles Eames began his design and architecture education before the tender age of 14, at which point he’d already begun working part time at a steel company. He embarked on a short-lived academic career at Washington University in his hometown but was reportedly alienated because of his love of modern design, which contrasted starkly with the school’s more traditional ideals. He later studied architecture at the clearly more suitable Cranbrook Academy of Art, where he eventually ran the industrial design department and met his second wife, a woman named Ray Kaiser.

Together, the duo moved to Los Angeles and went on to create some of the most notable works in the mid-century design genre, including the famed Eames House and everything in it. Charles’s love of molded wood furnishings emulating the curves of the human form, which began taking shape in the stretchers and splints he designed for the U.S. Navy during WWII, is still an influence today. It can be most readily seen in his molded plywood dining chair (below) and, of course, his ubiquitous lounger and ottoman, shown above. Many of the couple’s original works are still on display at the Museum of Modern Art, where it has resided for more than half a century, and their impact can be seen in emulations found in private and commercial spaces far and wide, more than 50 years after their work began to secure its foothold on the design industry.

Photo credits: Room & Board.

For the last few years there has been a steady move to bringing in brighter and more colorful choices to your interiors. Pantone has always been on the forefront on predicting trends in colors in the fashion, design, and home interiors industries and everyone looks to Pantone for bright shots of inspiration for the upcoming year. From turquoise to honeysuckle, this year Tangerine Tango is the ‘it’ color for inspiration. Here are a few simple ways to incorporate it into your home this year.

Bold and bright: Just like a burst of tangerine juice in your mouth, Tangerine Tango is a powerful and uplifting color that is sure to make your interiors sing. Whether you use it on an accent wall to highlight an interesting corner of your room, or you use it throughout your wallpaper, window treatments and furniture. The burst of this refreshing color is bound to spark your imagination. If you are not up to this dramatic color throughout your space, consider using it in less saturation or in lesser quantities.

Photo credit: Emerald Interior Design

Subtle sophistication: Interior designer Deborah Wecselman gives this advice: “Subtle themes: If you require subtlety with bright accessories, tie in the color with accent pieces – chairs, abstract décor and toss pillows. The below spaces shows how complimentary the shade is and how it goes well with blue and browns.”

The beauty of color is the ability to keep it saturated, or to make it the accent of a color palette. While Tangerine Tango looks great by itself, pairing it with complementing colors may fit your home better. Deborah also suggests, “Mix the shade with patterns and basic white to break up the space, add modernity to your personal space and blend with other bright hues such as avocado, saffron or fuchsia.

Photo credit: Home Depot

The options are up to you, and simplicity should be key when introducing this dynamic color into your interiors. From bold and bright, to subtle and sophisticated, Tangerine Tango represents the movement of security and refreshing new possibilities. Try it in your home; I’ll bet your home will love the juicy uplift!

“Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin. “Staircase” by Radiohead. “Step by Step” by… well, about a hundred different artists, sung a hundred different ways.  Stairs play a prominent role in popular song lyrics, and for good reason: they literally take us to a whole new level. They’re metaphoric. They’re poetic. And in today’s roundup of six brilliant images on the subject, they’re absolutely stunning.

First up are the stairs leading into Opening Ceremony, a shop in New York City, an image of which (above) made the rounds on the web in mid-2011 when Kate Spade shared a snap on her Tumblr page. Since then, the art of adding favorite lyrics to stairs via paint or removable typographical decals has grown in popularity, and why not? It’s adorable.

Speaking of adorable, behold this slide/stair combo shared via ehost — one of the most whimsical home decor elements we’ve ever seen. We’re willing to bet there’s at least a 50 percent chance that no children live, nor have ever lived, in this home, which somehow makes these stairs even more fantastic:

On the other end of the spectrum, there’s this arresting set of chic black stairs from Nuevo Estilo:

SFgirlbybay kindly shares this hot pink spiral staircase photographed by Bruno Suet:

These colorblocked, nautical steps presented by Jonathan Adler absolutely rock our boat:

And last, but certainly not least, we’re completely taken by these geometric masterpieces from Bell Phillips Architects (thanks to Design Milk for the share):

Photo credits: Opening Ceremony via Kate Spade, ehost, Nuevo Estilo, Bruno Suet via SFgirlbybay, Jonathan Adler and Design Milk.

It’s the room society talks about the least, and yet we all spend a great deal of time there, primping and prepping and making sure we look and feel our best before we go out and face the world each day. Today, we thought we’d pay homage to the unsung hero of every home: the bathroom. So, we put on our robes and slippers and perused the web for loo-related links worth noting.

First, there’s the ubiquitous 101 Bathrooms page from Dwell (sample shown above) with subpages dedicated to different kinds of materials, from ceramic and glass to wood and metal, all arranged to provide tips and ideas for restroom renovations.

Bathtubs with televisions built in? Indeed, confirms the team at Furniture Fashion. This takes laziness to a whole new level:

For those in need of a little more design inspiration, House Beautiful offers up a visual feast of 50 designer bathrooms, including this sunny Mediterranean sample:

Elsewhere, the eco-conscious brains behind FresHome are sharing some interesting intel on the environmentally friendly, space-saving toilet/washbasin combo from Roca…

…the helpful folks at Apartment Therapy are sharing tips for installing laundry appliances inside a bathroom…

…and lastly: looking to update your shower and its surroundings with some instant classics known to stand the test of time? Look no further than Kohler’s bathroom catalog, which rarely disappoints.

Happy renovating or resting this weekend — whichever you choose!

Photo credits: Dwell, Furniture Fashion and House Beautiful.