For this very, very brief moment in time, the weather in Austin is perfect. Last week dumped buckets of needed rain on the city, leaving such swaths of pastoral verdure (not to be confused with its close friend manure) all around town that I fully expect to see a flock of sheep crossing Congress Avenue whenever I drive downtown. It’s so lush and atypically green that I want to live outside all day long. And so the Hunny and I have worked in the yard, barbecued, dined al fresco on patios, and generally lounged like lizards in the sun.
All this is well and good, but by the end of the week it’s going to be in the mid 90’s (yep, it’s Texas) and the glory of air conditioning will be our only saving grace. I think what I really need is a glass house so that I can enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors from the temperate, bug free comfort of the cushy indoors.
I suppose this would do for a start.
The Jodlowa House in Krakow, Poland, would suit my need for an interrupted view, plus it has a few added amenities that I think I could make quick use of.
Honestly, I’m not sure how I have lived my entire life without an indoor pool. I have obviously been sorely deprived.
It’s ok to be naked in front of the tiny woodland creatures, right? I dream of having a house with neighbors so far away that curtains are totally superfluous.
Also, I feel that if I had such an awesome view, my fingers would be magically inspired to bust out some Beethoven — never mind that I am musically challenged.
Still I personally like a little more pizazz in my pad, so I’m all about the L House designed by Philippe Stuebi.
I’m not usually into big box houses — generally preferring low, sprawling structures — but this house has a seductive mix of light and color that makes me want to break in and lock out the owners. Shouldn’t be that hard to get into a glass house, right?
Hubba hubba, do you see what I see?
Yes, that is a glass walled LIBRARY, folks.
And I really don’t have the guts to paint a room fuchsia, but it looks so fabulous in an architecturally appropriate setting.
Perhaps the biggest hurdle keeping me from living the outdoor dream is my damn computer, which I am tethered to 24/7. A glassy office would at least allow me to daydream about escape.
I think the most practical solution to that particular dilemma would be to construct a glass office in the woods like this one, designed by Iwan Baan.
Don’t these poor workers look like they are suffering terribly, what with the sunny yellow floors, mod furnishings and gorgeous views? Alright, maybe it’s better that I don’t work here, because I’m quite sure I would be too distracted by the beauty to get anything done.
Luckily, there is an escape hatch for when the going gets tough. Wouldn’t want anyone to feel cooped up, now would we?
Since my yard is actually starting to look like this, I think I’m going to use my own escape hatch (ok, plain old door) and do some relaxing outside before the temperature becomes insanely unbearable and the mosquitoes carry me away. Ah, sweet, sweet nature.
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I am crying hot salty tears now, all that unattainable beauty has finished me off. WANT!
I love these glass homes, and come to think of it I have become addicted to your blogging. So thanks.
Sorry, nath, didn’t mean to spoil your morning!
Anne, thanks so much for stopping by and the kind words. We have the best readers!
I want house #2, please. Its’s not what I normally go for (the hot pink one does seem more me) but I just love it. That office is rad, but even with all those windows it feels a bit claustrophobic.
Okay, so I hope I don’t offend, I don’t usually utter expletives on other people’s blogs, and even though I tend to have a filthy mouth, not even on my own blog since two of my kiddos can now read and are always lurking behind my shoulder…but, all of that is a long introduction to this- Fucking awesome post Erin!!!
Sorry, it had to be said.
We are having the same (temporary) surge of verdant lushness around here and so I would love to be holed up in any one of those amazing glass houses overlooking the green goodness. Especially that polish wonder. Absolutely astounding architecture. Loved this post, if you hadn’t already guessed!!!
nkp (and anyone else who cares), DC is a free zone, as in feel free to say fuck all you like.
Wow – can I jump in that bubble bath?!
Though I find all of these pictures gorgeous, I have a strong aversion to people being able to see inside my house at night. I do understand that not many people are hunkering down in the woods, waiting to see me romp around in my underwear, but still just terified.
However, that library is starting to change my mind.
Jeebus, you two (and NKP) have the most amazing interwebs design porn sleuthing skills. This round-up deserves place in the DC pantheon of Effin’ Awesome Posts. One of my faves most definitely!
um, you killed me with this line: swaths of pastoral verdure (not to be confused with its close friend manure)
b ahhahahahah !!!
and these are some lovely pics, but i sure would not want to be the one CLEANING all that glass. nope. no way.
Good thing that self cleaning glass has been invented (apparently?!)
I’d love to bash out a few bars of ‘chop sticks’ on that piano. In such a setting I choose to believe that even I would sound magnificent!
I want an indoor pool just like that – and the bathtub location is great – I would get so pruney if I lived there cause I would just sit in there and watch the world!
i need a napkin!! i am just drooling all over this pics and my mac
Wow I adore that glass walled LIBRARY!!!
I still think that books are the best home accesories~
I would move into the Jodlowa House in a split sec but only if it came with a window cleaning crew.
Welcome Amy and Lenorenevermore — nice to see you on DC!
I guess we can all agree that we need to invent some kind of awesome window cleaning technology before we move into our new glass house. Not that I’m going to let a pesky little invention stop me…
I salute you for that post. Every picture about killed me. I stopped by to tell you I’ve dedicated a non-design, yet maternal-related post to you. rock on with your bad self.
I totally covet these glass houses. So perfect. Especially here in hot, humid, buggy Atlanta. Love it. Fantastic post.
[...] must be the day for glass houses in my Google alerts. Check out this enclosed dining area on this glass house. It looks like this house is nestled in the woods. What a great way to enjoy the great outdoors [...]
oh wow – both the library and office set in the forest look like heaven to me!
what is the cost per square foot to build a self cleaning glass house and can one erect a roof of this glass as well? Thanks, Brenda