Design

George Sturges Residence / Frank Lloyd Wright

Described by the agent as a masterpiece of American design, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed The Sturges Residence in Los Angeles, California is up for sale for the first time in 50 years. Formerly the home of actor Jack Larson and his partner James Bridges, the house is part of sale of his estate, with proceeds of the house and other lots (which include original art by David Hockney and Andy Warhol) going to the Bridges/Larson Foundation.

So that’s the sale. What about the house? That’s something very special. The only Usonian-style house in this particular state, it was designed in 1939 by Frank Lloyd Wright, with construction overseen by John Lautner. The house was restored back in 1970, with that work again overseen by Lautner.

According to the agent, the pre-sale estimate is $2,500,000 – $3,000,000 — via WowHaus

Design

House T / Hiroyuki Shinozaki

If the owners of this highly unusual Tokyo home weren’t already physically fit when they moved in, they probably are now, as navigating the levels through wide-open ceilings requires more than a little agility. Hiroyuki Shinozakidescribes House T as a dwelling that doubles as a bookshelf, with each floor serving as a successive plane for storage and living spaces while the centre serves as an atrium — via Dornob

Design

Eglon House / Primrose Hill, London

This Eglon Mews modernist property in London NW1 inspired by a classic. That inspiration comes from the Maison de Verre in Paris, the work of Pierre Chareau and a modernist masterpiece from the early 1930s. Translated as the house of glass, it is an almost industrial feel (albeit a very stylish one) beyond that glazing.

Once you have check that out you can do your compare and contrast. Of course, this is inspired by and not a replica. It is also 2016 and not 1932, so the finishes and obviously going to be very different. But overall, you do get what the owner was trying to do with the renovation.

Yes, renovation. This isn’t a new build. The site was previously a recording studio and before that, a shell casing factory during the first world war and a milking dairy, which was when cows grazed on nearby Primrose Hill. That’s apparently as recently as the 1950s.

It is described as a live / work space and you will need to work very hard (or get lucky on the Lotto) to be able to afford this place. The asking price is a jaw dropping £24,000,000 — via WowHaus

Design

Rocket Cocktail Shaker / Rockett St George

This rocket cocktail shaker oozes space age style, with a sleek, metallic body, capsule-esque cap, lid and strainer. It even sits on its own launch-ready shaker stand.

An imposing 28cm high when on its stand, this is definitely a piece of barware that will impress your guests.

It’s priced at £34.99. Order it from Rockett St George — via Retro To Go

Design

Lykes Home / Frank Lloyd Wright

This is a actually the last house Frank Lloyd Wright designed. But sadly, he wasn’t around to see the Lykes Home in Phoenix, Arizona, USA actually get constructed.

The plans date back to 1959. That’s right, the year of the legendary architect’s death. It was designed for Norman and Aimee Lykes, who then took on Wright’s apprentice, John Rattenbury to finish those plans and oversee its construction.

Building began in 1967, with the house completed in 1968, with the Lykes living in the house until 1994. A year later it was fully renovated by the second owners, updating for their own needs, but without ripping out the heart of the place.

This place is on the market for $3,600,000 — via WowHaus

Design

Clock House / Archmongers

When Archmongers were tasked with designing a set of stairs that lead to a roof terrace for a home in London, they decided to go with something a bit different. The stairs were designed as a kit of interlocking parts, which give changing views and stimulate interest from every angle — via CONTEMPORIST

Technology

Australia’s First Powerwall Home Batteries Are Already Installed In Western Sydney

When Tesla’s Powerwall battery energy storage system was first announced, solar-friendly Australians went mad for it. A relatively cheap integrated system that could hook up to the grid and to rooftop solar panels, the Powerwall is one of the first widely-available technologies that could reduce users’ reliance on energy delivered via the national electricity grid. And now, one of the first Powerwall batteries to be installed in Australia is already bolted to the outside wall of a home in western Sydney.

Australia is the first country in the world to have Powerwall batteries installed and delivered, and companies like Natural Solar and Origin Energy are receiving and installing their first shipments into homes and businesses around Australia. New South Wales is first, but other states and territories have their first installations scheduled from the start of next week onwards — via redwolf.newsvine.com

Design

Campervan Magazine Rack / Balvi

This Campervan magazine rack by Balvi is sure to inspire a spot of wanderlust — especially if you use it to store your travel magazines. Based on the design of the old school campers, this rack is made from metal, and looks rather fine carrying some magazines around.

Plenty of choice as to colour as well, with five different shades to pick from.

You can pick one up for £19.99. Order it from Red Candy — via Retro To Go