Image by sean-dreilinger

House prices across the world are declining by massive percentages, and less than a year ago prices were set to 15% more than they currently are. That’s a drastic drop when you consider everyone who has been affected. And even when prices rise (like the rise seen in March), they quickly drop by the same amount, if not more. What does this mean for the housing market? It’s getting worse, slowly but surely, and projected losses are expected to go down at least another percent within the next few months. However there’s one good side of the story. The state of the economy “seems” beneficial for those interested in purchasing a new home and have the money to do so. So what do you think? Are you going to buy a property anytime soon? – Via

NminusOne may not be the most innovative name for a design office, but the creativity of the architects definitely got us sold. Commissioned for Marc Morisset— a professional snowboarder, the five storey house is built like a shredder following the line of a steep mountain. Perfectly blending with the green environment, the Khyber Ridge Residence adds a tinge of “floating” and a bunch of unconventional details that get the eye. And although it looks old and worn, the interior is all about contemporary shapes and elegant furnishings, for more warmth (maybe during winter?). That’s nothing short of cool.

Are you an industrial designer? How is the financial crisis being felt on your site? Worth a read, the recent article by journalist John Hockenberry over at Metropolis is trying to pick on the main issues that will happen to design when demands shrink. When the market is filled with non-buyers and the inclination not to spend is at record levels. As much fresh new content we need here on Freshome, having empty shoppers stores that are filled with design, just isn’t good for the business. So how might designers participate in an economy of no product? Check out the rest of the article (which is great) in here.

Original image by Guilhermy

The creative lighting design company Slamp presented designer Nigel Coate’s lighting sculptures this year at Euroluce in Milan to much enthusiasm and prospect.  The first design, inspired by sea urchins and titled “Creatures,” is a colorful and exciting combination of lines and curvy shapes that remains modernist while bordering on exceptionally ornate.  Designed for three different sizes, a “Creature” light (or two) would make a striking visual emphasis for a fun room.

Coates’s sci-fi lighting design “Corona” looks like it may be echoing the design of the CERN particle accelerator or a flying saucer.  Though designed to be light with clean lines and simple colors, “Corona” is actually a very thoughtful, complex sculpture that creatively incorporates circular and diamond shapes that can be complemented in repetition throughout a sophisticated interior space.

Lastly and possibly the more creative of the three, “Pacis” is a swirling storm of lighting and would be a particularly elegant dining room lighting centerpiece.  Meant to fit magnetically over the light-fitting and finished in either white or gold, it stirs images of Roman laurel crowns and spiraling kelp reefs, which can give a contemporary, natural character to a well-groomed scheme. – via

Sometimes it’s not the scenery that wins you over, but the modifications you bring to your home to make it more appealing. Located in Melbourne, Australia, the Barrow House has been designed by Andrew Maynard Architects with an arrangement of timber boxes that create a stylish variety of shapes to get the eye. With privacy levels at a max, the elegant interior features contemporary furniture, large windows for natural lighting, a much needed pool for the summer months and a lot of wood, the Barrow House certainly looks like a dream place for anyone working from home. Don’t you think? – via