This classic Offbeat post comes from one year ago this December. Oddly enough “Vertical Garden” is one of the most searched terms for this blog. I find that a little amusing; you don’t think there’d be that many people out there looking for this.
Still, the fact that so many people want a vertical garden makes this post about Patrick Blanc’s Vertical Gardens a great classic post to revisit this week.
It is pretty neat. Blanc created garden walls.

And even took a leap into the world of fashion.

Ah, the garden robe; the perfect gift for those picky gardening pals this holiday season. …read more

Lately it seems all I see are homes that technically might be out of place but are designed in such a way that blends them seamlessly into the landscape. This home, the House Kern, by Stoosarchitekten, I’m torn about. I’m a fan because Stoosarchitekten work always has nice clean lines and is subtle in it’s uniqueness. This work makes an understated statement.
What do you think?
From far away:

Close up: I like the close up view better. I really like how it nuzzles into the hillside.

 The top patio:

So, obtrusive or offbeat landscape blend? I’m leaning towards liking it yet, I doubt …read more

So, you’ve got your offbeat dream home… Now, what to do about filling your abode with offbeat art. You could go with plain old offbeat art pieces — there’s plenty around. Or you could go extreme and invest in some real eye candy.
Nathan Sawaya is a Lego brick master. However, once in a while he gets tired of his chosen medium and breaks out with some fly Necco art like this amazing Necco heart. He didn’t even miss the tiny veins!

Sawaya also creates fruity Star Bursts.

Don’t forget art for the floor — this rug by artist Ya Ya Chou is …read more

This home is a super fly gift for all the little offbeat kids in your world. The simplicity, mobility, and eco-sensibility of this gift cannot be beat.
Kidsonroof Mobile Home

Kids can take this home everywhere — not true of the typical doll house. Also, not to get sexist but my son who is all boy in the most boy way one can be even likes this house. He told me it looks cool and most doll homes he passes off as, “Girly.” Yes we are working on him never calling things “Girly.” It’s the only thing he does that really frustrates …read more

Back in the old-school Offbeat days Kevin Humphrey covered the The Mushroom House. However, for those of you who don’t spend your days combing the archives this home is worth a look.
I personally love the Mushroom House. Located in Whistler, Canada it was started way back in the 70s. Not only is the Mushroom House crazy offbeat but the whole home is centered around what the interior of a tree might look like. Zube, the artist behind this masterpiece did an exceptional job. Looking in you really feel like you’re living inside a tree.
It’s fairytale like qualities remind me of …read more

Today’s offbeat holiday gift suggestion is not a real king mind you but an ultra wacky shelving unit perfect for the offbeat home owner — or anyone who fancies oddball storage solutions.
The King of Siam Shelf is made by mOEbler. I like it as far as offbeat goes but do not like the color (good thing there’s paint) and can’t imagine what I’d do with those tiny extra spaces. How about you?

And by cool I mean me. Ok, me and millions of other blog readers around the world. Here’s what’s spiffy and worthy of some love this weekend.
CAKE!
First off my pal Marye at Baking Delights has absolutely nothing related to architecture but she does have something way offbeat; A Car Cake! Not a cake with a little toy car on it, not a car cake the size of a shoe box but an entire life size car cake! It does not even look like cake — I kid you not and it’s a must see.
DUTCH
It’s Dutch week at MoCo …read more

I decided due to the late time that posting scary houses is out this year because you won’ have time to plan a spooky trip. (Don’t worry there’s always next year).
But I didn’t want to just end Halloween at Offbeat Homes with nothing so… what could be more fitting than Extreme Pumpkins.
Extreme Pumpkins is a website that features a yearly contest for those who like to carve outside the box — or sphere as it may be. They also have a book; Extreme Pumpkins: Diabolical Do-It-Yourself Designs to Amuse Your Friends and Scare Your Neighbors.
They have some of the most …read more

So far for Halloween Offbeat Homes has brought you jack-o-lantern homes and an Offbeat haunted house round-up. Still Halloween fails to be complete without actual pumpkin architecture; better known as pumpkin carving. I can’t show just any old boring pumpkins at Offbeat so here are some of the most offbeat carvings I’ve seen this year. Maybe you’ve seen some of them but hopefully not all.
Saturday Night Fever

Pure, yet adorable evil

A fat lunch

Huh?

What Offbeat Homes Halloween is complete without a Jack o’ Frank Lloyd Wright

Nice! Now get out there and carve your own offbeat pumpkin magic.  

Since spooky old Halloween is just around the corner I wanted to bring on the scary. Offbeat Homes has already showcased many a haunted house, so I thought we’d start with a round-up of the scary you may have missed in the past.  Click on the haunted home photo for an in-depth look at what makes each home so terrifying… If you dare.
Dracula’s Castle

One of America’s Most Haunted Homes (and you can stay there)

Jealous ghosts walk the halls here.
 
Apparitions everywhere!

And of course, The Winchester Mystery House…

If you can’t get enough of spooky homes never fear because Offbeat’s got more …read more