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Scrumptious Cedar Treehouse is a French Spa Retreat

The Cabane & Spa treehouse is literally in a treehouse.

A tree, a cabin, a dream…

The natural cedar getaway is in the Midi-Pyrénées region in southern France, 31 miles north of Toulouse.

Its freshly starched white sheets, linen drapes and warm cedar-clad walls… What a far cry from the spider-infested tree houses of childhood!

Canopée Construction built the sturdy spa as one of a series of cabanas aux arbres.

It is set in the tree canopy 12 feet above a grassy lawn.

They rent the treehouse by the night – and serve a French breakfast of coffee and croissants.

The luxury of a hot tub as you step out of bed!

Bliss!

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Classicism Meets Minimalism in a Gracious St Petersburg Studio

Architect and interior designer Natalia Ozerova uses thick slabs of bas relief work to shape an elegant space.

Lovely bas relief work in faux stone is used throughout each room.

The extremely modulated colour palette surrounding the ecru bas relief has a calming effect.

The same severely restricted colour palette is used throughout.

A mirror doubles the tiny space in a continuation of the ecru and blue-gray of the bedroom.

The St Petersburg apartment gracefully blends classicism and minimalism.

Even in a tiny toilet, classicism breathes its sense of perspective.

Miraculously a gracious space is created from a very tiny apartment.

The vertical lines of a bookcase emphasise the apartment’s one gracious proportion in the entry.

There is barely room for a fireplace.

Yet as you step out of the bedroom, a calming sight greets you.

And turning and looking back at the bedroom wall, a shiny black TV and classical sculpture is flanked on each side by a pair of mirrored doors that reflect the few windows, with no hint of the bedroom beyond.

Blending modernity and a classical aesthetic, even the stark black of TV screens acquires an ancient elegance!

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A Historic and Artistic Eco Resort in Balinese Bridal Houses

On the Indonesian island of Bali, the eco resort town of Ubud is an arts and cultural center.

John and Cynthia Hardy have created there a sweet and simple getaway with all the artistic charm and history of Indonesia.

They located eleven antique bridal houses from Java and transported each to Bali to create a unique eco resort, the Bambu Indah.

Each of the Javanese teak wood houses on the property originally served as a bridal house for a Javanese nobleman.

Some of them have the luxurious comfort of a boutique hotel.

The Udang House offers a unique view of fish beneath the ‘floor.’

Bambu Indah combines traditional Balinese architecture with an eco flair.

Some are quite polished and sophisticated, with fine Indonesian antiques.

In one, a rustic outdoor shower over a scattering of stone encourages communing with nature.

In another, an outdoor wash room leads to a small bamboo ladder up to sleeping quarters.

Each bridal house puts the visitor in close contact with nature.

But all pay homage to a distinctive rustic Javanese style.