Julius Shulman

I love modern architecture! I find peace and comfort in the simple lines and bare surfaces. Cuyler likes to joke around that my dream house is a glass ball that rolls around in the yard. This is, of course, a slight exaggeration of my disdain for traditional homes. Initially he wasn't thrilled with the idea of living in a modern home.

For a long time I would try to describe my aesthetic to him.......modern, but not contemporary, clean and simple, but not cold and hard, lots of natural materials like wood and stone, an open floor plan, and lots and lots of windows. Slowly I realized that it was Mid Century Modern that I loved, not just Modern and luckily he is discovering that he loves it too.

Julius Shulman was an architectural photographer best known for his photos of the Case Study Houses (above). Schulman's photography spread California mid-century modern around the world. His vast library of images currently reside at The Getty Center in LA. I got to visit The Getty years ago and hope to return sometime soon.......it is incredibly beautiful, just the building and gardens by themselves even without the incredible art. Until then, I will add these to my books to buy list: Case Study Houses, 2002 and Case Study Houses, 2008.

all images: Julius Shulman

The Tent House

Setsumasa and Mami Kobyayashi's weekend retreat, two and half hours northwest of Tokoyo, is a refuge in the Chichibu mountain range. Designed by Shin Ohori of General Design Co., the shelter is constructed from locally harvested larch wood and removable fiberplastic walls and is crowned with two yellow dome tents used as year-round bedrooms. There is electricity, hot water, and a kitchen - not to mention ipads, internet, and a clawfoot tub. This is what a modern back-to-the-land effort looks like.

Dwell, May 2011

The hubby and I have been daydreaming about a weekend retreat since we had our little getaway in the mountains a month ago. Weather has forced us to cancel two camping trips in a row, and visitors meant that our postponed trips would be further delayed. We are hopeful that we will make our escape back into the woods in the upcoming month, and several more times through the summer. We have discovered that the peace and quiet has become a necessity for us, a total recharge!

After finding my Dwell in the mailbox a couple of weeks ago, I spent nap time pouring over it on the screen porch. I could not get over this spread! It is just the most incredible and beautiful home, an absolute dream! Somehow it seems rustic and luxurious at the same time. I mean sleeping in the tent snuggled up with a book by lamplight.....it is simple and romantic! Showering under a bag of cold water or with a washcloth and a sink in a shared bathroom.....not so romantic. A bubble bath in a claw foot tub with a view of the mountains and fresh air blowing in.....AMAZING!

It's the best of both worlds, right!?

images: Dwell