A-Frame Architecture

June 21, 2021 by natalini in design, architecture

An A-frame structure consists of two similarly sized beams arranged in a 45 degree angle or less, meeting at the top creating a peak. This style of home has been surging over the past few years as vacation rentals and “glamping” spots around the world. There are many kits for sale to create your own A-frame home or retreat in sizes ranging from shed to chalet.

Photo by: Karsten Wingert @karsten116This is not a photo of the Lokal A-Frame Cabin — Photo by: Karsten Wingert @karsten116
This is not a photo of the Lokal A-Frame Cabin

If you’re interest is “peaked” (sorry) and you’d like to stay in an A-frame structure, check out the Lokal A-Frame Cabin in Maurice River, New Jersey

Chad and Courtney Ludeman, husband-and-wife team and creators of Lokal Hotels have poured their hearts into each property making Philadelphia and New Jersey more attractive travel destinations. Each location is filled with locally sourced furniture, accessories and amenities, from coffee and soap to knives and mugs. If you can’t make it to the east coast this year visit the stay lokal website to bring Lokal Hotels to your home.

The description below is directly from the Lokal Hotel site.

“For our first foray into boutique vacation homes, we chose an A-Frame cabin located on 2.5 quiet acres in South Jersey with frontage on the Maurice River. The cabin is located about 50 minutes from Philly and 20-30 minutes to many of the popular shore towns of Southern Jersey.

This cabin was built in the 60’s from California Redwood and we completely overhauled it with a Scandinavian Modern interior design. The building was also fully insulated and had all mechanicals updated for modern comfort.

The home has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and sleeps a maximum of 8 fine folks. Perfect for two families or a group of friends. There is a commercial kitchen, 2 fire pits, a huge rear deck with wood-fired hot tub and a makeshift private beach along the river.”

Design Tours

June 16, 2021 by natalini in design, local trips

Architecture, structures and statues with many stories to tell can be found throughout the United States. From Amish country, to the Garden District in New Orleans, the Flat Iron building in Manhattan, The Kissing Sailor Statue in San Diego, The Alamo, Independence Hall in Philadelphia to family run farms and covered bridges. This beautiful country has so much to offer on a road trip, especially the people met along the way. Bring home the collected stories and share them around a campfire to make priceless new memories.

Mini Architecture

May 12, 2021 by natalini in design, architecture

Ella, is the talented young designer and creator of Life In A Dollhouse, a collection of life-like dollhouses complete with detailed miniature furniture and accessories. Ella’s grandfather works with her to build her mini masterpieces along with the guidance of her parents who are both custom home builders. At just 11 years old, Ella was inspired to create her first dollhouse and now at 14, Ella’s has been featured in multiple publications and lifestyle websites. The details on the accessories are beautifully crafted and intricate. Ella is laying the foundation for a very successful design career ahead.

Take a look through Ella’s work on her site, Life In A Dollhouse to discover more of her creations and behind the scenes progress and process photos.

Below are some items in the Life In A Dollhouse shop.

Life In A Dollhouse - Pillows

Life In A Dollhouse - Kitchen

Life In A Dollhouse - Range

Patience with Design

May 03, 2021 by natalini in design, architecture

Designing anything takes patience, but how about 136 years until completion? Construction of Sagrada Família by architect, Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926) began in March 1882 and is set to be completed by 2026. There are many more decorative works of art to be finished by 2030 or 2032. Despite many setbacks over the years prolonging the completion of Barcelona’s minor basilica, progress has slowly forged ahead.

Antoni Gaudí’s style is a collaboration of elements from various art periods including; Art Nouveau, Catalan Modernism, Spanish Late Gothic. This imaginative blending of styles of the ages has turned Gaudí’s name into a cliché to describe ornate or overly busy decor or patterns. “That’s so Gaudí,” is a phrase most people have heard many times, although mispronouncing his name.

Imagine creating a work of anything that would most likely not be completed until many years after you’re gone with generations of people continuing to bring your vision to life. Sagrada Família has been coming to life with advancing technologies as the decades pass. Donations are in the multi-millions to fund the progress of the remaining structures and decorative elements.

Seeing this indescribable work of architecture in person has left an indelible imprint on my little designer soul. I look forward to visiting again.

Learn more about Sagrada Famíia and Antoni Gaudí

POMPEII

March 15, 2021 by natalini in design, architecture, ancient art

Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD and left Pompeii buried under 13 to 20 feet of volcanic ash and pumice that would lead to the preservation of the foundation of the region, artifacts, mosaics, frescoes, pottery along with human and animal remains. Archaeologist are still uncovering treasures and remains of the once thriving region with a population of about 12,000. Just about 1,200 (and counting) human remains have been discovered. The most recent findings were of a ceremonial chariot made from bronze and tin, in March 2021.

I had the honor of visiting Pompeii in 2018 where I stood in complete awe over the lasting structures, fountains, pigments in the wall art and mosaic floor tiles. While walking the streets—where water once carried sewage—imagined what life was like back then just as everyone else does when touring Pompeii. As I imagined the furniture that filled the rooms and the accessories that adorned the tabletops of Pompeii, I had a profound analogy to humans having an inner “Pompeii,” making new discoveries every day, year or decade of life. It’s kind of cool to think of self discovery as a never-ending excavation and we get to be the archaeologists of our own lives.

Please enjoy these pictures of Pompeii that I took on my most memorable trip.