Architecture firm Qb3 makes the most of small corner lot in Philadelphia.

When it comes to architecture, small doesn't have to mean meek. A prime example of small-but-strong is this lovely structure from the architectural geniuses at Qb3 Design, which sits on a mere 1,100 square foot lot in Philadelphia.

While respecting Philadelphia's long tradition of brick row houses, the architects chose not to mimic the surrounding buildings. Instead they translated the materials, proportions and scale of a traditional row house into something much more modern. In order to maximize the small lot, the loft-style home occupies the entire site, with carved openings for light and views and a rooftop garden in lieu of a back yard.

Strange and hair-raising lighting designs for your home.

I always laugh when someone puts a wig on an inanimate object, or animal like a dog or horse. It's just plain funny. So, you can imagine how I chuckled when I saw these hair-covered lamps. However, I don't think these particular designs were created for laughs.

Frisa (at right) is a customizable floor lamp created by German designer Anika Engelbrecht. Engelbrecht did not design this lamp a toy, but I can't help but be remided of the Barbie Stylin' head I had when I was a little girl.

I had such a blast painting her face and braiding her hair, even when I discovered the hard way that if you decide to give Stylin' Barbie bangs, her hair doesn't grow back. I'm sure that isn't what Anika envisioned when she designed it, but I can't stop thinking about how much fun it would be to braid and style this lamp's hair. What can I say? I'm a girl.

Don't see the connection? Take a peek at the "styled" lamp after the jump:

Another hair-lamp design comes from renowned designer Jonathan Adler. This time, Barbie was the direct influence for the design.

Back in March of 2009, Adler transformed a 3,500-square-foot Malibu beach house into a real Barbie dream home in honor of the doll's 50th birthday. In the living room a two-tiered chandelier made of blond Barbie-like hair hung proudly above a pair of black leather couches.

Do you get a lick out of strange design? Read on for more weirdness:
- Prickly pear chair
- Egg-shaped home office

Once ridiculed ranch-style homes are increasingly popular.

If you reside in a ranch-style home, you live in what is now one of the more popular and most affordable architectural styles of today. The one-story homes were most popular in the middle of the 20th century, but have declined in recent decades. However, thanks to the economy, McMansion backlash and surge of baby boomers, the ranch is suddenly desirable again!

Not only are existing ranches enjoying a revival, contemporary architects are also favoring ranch-style designs. For example, the architectural firm of Johnsen Schmaling Architects designed an AIA-award winning ranch-style house in a suburb of Milwaukee, gutting the original and dilapidated 1970's structure to build a new 1,380 square foot ranch in a contemporary cube shape (above).


In Sweden, the architectural firm of WRB designed a contemporary H-shaped ranch-style home that envelopes a courtyard (above).

There are even luxury ranch-style home plans on the market. Donald A. Gardner Architects specializes in distinctive ranch-style house plans with touches of elegance, all designed to have as much square footage as two-story houses (below). You have to look really hard to see that these designs are one-story ranches.

Ranch-style homes haven't always enjoyed this much attention. "One-story home building has declined over the years," says Steve Melman, director of economic services for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). "In 1973, about two thirds (66 percent) of all homes were ranches, and, in 2008, only about 44 percent of new homes were built as ranches." However, that's still a significant amount of ranches on the market today considering the maelstrom of Colonials and McMansions that have flooded the market in recent years.

Melman notes some shifting sands in this trend: The floor plan for The New American Home 2010, the showcase home at January's International Builders' Show (IBS) in Las Vegas, was designed with dual main level master bedroom suites at opposite ends of the first floor. While the plan doesn't commit to being a ranch, but it's not quite the typical Colonial, either.

The return of the ranch is only likely to gain momentum as first-time home buyers and baby boomers warm to ranches. Every seven seconds in this country, someone turns 50, and they want easy, comfortable homes. Melman adds that of the 55-plus market, 79 percent prefer ranch-style homes.

Whether it's traditional or contemporary in style, one thing is for sure -- the ranch has come a long way, baby!

Want to learn more about different styles homes? Read all about split-level homes and shotgun houses.

A little imagination goes a long way in a shared bedroom for two young boys.

What do most little boys dream about? Some might say cowboys, video games or Star Wars, but most of them will likely say sports. But how do you design a sports-inspired-but-stylish room for two young, active boys?

This was the challenge presented to New York-based interior designer Hilary Unger. Through her companies, Perianth and Buy My Eye, Hilary transformed a boys' bedroom in an East Side townhouse into a no-holds-barred dream space. She said goodbye to the race car beds that once filled the room, and she said hello to a rock-climbing wall, boxing/punching bag, mini basketball court and more.

Take a peek inside this fun and functional children's room after the jump:

Two new, innovative storage solutions? Yes, please!


Storage is one of those decorative elements that I just know I'll never master. How can I possibly organize an ever-evolving collection of... stuff? (Perhaps it's not an issue of storage solutions as it is my shopping addiction.) Regardless, I was excited to discover these two new storage solutions that are high on design and functionality.

When I spotted this prototype for the 'Hang On' wardrobe from John Caswell Design, my heart sang. I'm a sucker for user-interactive products, and the hanger wardrobe just screams "play with me!"

As you can see in the photo at right, the wardrobe has perforated hangers on its exterior; each hanger can be popped out of the wooden wardrobe and used inside. We think it's a pretty clever solution.

Not only is this a handsome piece of storage, it's also the ultimate conversation piece -- with built-in storage for your expanding trench coat obsession.

Source

Meow! Check out this season's hottest decor... for your cat!

Forget the ugly, carpet-covered cat scratching towers of the past, the latest crop of cat accessories and wares are modern and surprisingly stylish. From litter boxes to catnip and everything in between, these feline finds will make your cat will feel like queen of her castle -- not that she doesn't already!

Above: Cat Clouds Cat Shelf, $100, The Refined Feline
Tired of Frisky knocking over vases when climbing from surface to surface? The Cat Clouds cat shelf offers supreme climbing fun and a seriously modern design. In stark white with soft comfortable pads covered in faux sheepskin fabric, you'll never have to clean shattered glass again.

Read on for more of our favorite feline finds of the season:

Put the romance back into your bedroom with a clutter-free zone.

When the weather is chilly and my energy is down, I retreat to my bedroom much earlier than I anticipate. Yet lately, my bedroom has hardly become the haven I hoped for. Stacks of magazines, loads of laundry and dusty books are cluttering my floors, making it nearly impossible to relax. Tonight I plan to light some candles and tackle this mess with the following steps. Feel like joining me in a quick bedroom clean-up?

Two versions of an iconic mid-century floor lamp.
The arc lamp has been a modern interior staple since Achille & Pierre Giacomo Castiglioni designed the Arco lamp in 1962. However, the price tag for owning one of these legendary lights is daunting: An original Arco lamp, manufactured by Italian company Flos, costs about $2,700. (That certainly puts quite a dent in the ol' wallet, and can muck up your plans for an authentic Eames lounger and ottoman.)

This doesn't mean you need to rethink the mid-century plans for your living room! There are many imported imitations of this classic design on the Internet, but personally, I like Chiasso's arc lamp the best. It doesn't try too hard to be the Arco, but it still has that elegant, modern feeling. It also won't hurt too badly when you pay the bill: At just under $400, you'll have saved almost enough for that comfy lounger you wanted.

Save even more money with these low-cost alternative to pricey designs:
- High vs. Low: Mid-century Modern Pendant Lighting
- High vs. Low: Leaning Floor Mirror

Spring may be a few weeks away, but you can make it come early with some season-inspired decor.

I recently relocated from New York to Seattle. During my first week as a West Coaster, while New York got slammed by a serious snow storm, the "rainy city" had a perfect week of sunny skies and spring-like weather. That week was short-lived and the rain has returned (welcome to Seattle), but the tease of spring was enough to excite me for the beautiful days to come.

With less than a month of winter left it's time to start thinking spring -- and perhaps a spring spruce-up in the process. To get inspired, and to help you through those last dreary days, here are some sunny rooms spotted across the web: