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. Cheap too, if you grow it yourself.
To learn more and see Blanc’s own home full of organic wallpaper, that he of course grew, visit the original and classic Offbeat post.

So many Offbeat readers have been participating in the random December Offbeat contest that now I’m thinking I’ll actually get to put this dusty mathematics degree I earned to use. It’ll come in handy when I start counting up points. Why not really make me work and enter yourself — there’s plenty of time to earn points.

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Classic Offbeat: Patrick Blanc’s Vertical Gardens

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 I’d choose to live there. The big windows help it’s cause.

How many points have you earned so far in the December Offbeat Homes Contest? Enough to get ahead?   

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The House Kern

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 a pretty good bet for impressing your offbeat friends. (7″X32″X30″, gummi bears)

And what about lighting? Try Ya Ya Chou’s gummy bear chandelier on for size…

Lastly, for those who like their eye candy with a little more pop and a lot less sticky take a look at Leanne Wildermuth’s snack worthy paintings from her Eye Ate It Series.

I’m not actually a fan of Neccos, fruit candies, and mint; in fact, I much prefer it as art like the above pieces. I’m mainly a chocolate girl. People just don’t make as much chocolate art for the home. I’m betting it has something to do with the melting on your floor issue.

Hope everyone is having an offbeat and sweet weekend. (Maybe with some bad puns thrown in).

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Offbeat Weekend Fun with Literal Eye Candy

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 me.
Kids can play with this 360 degrees, pick it up, carry it around, take it in the car, and even sit it on their lap. The home has 8 rooms along with various stair openings and spyholes plus an attic space.

Other perks:

• Made of strong, stable 100% recycled cardboard.
• 100% biodegradable.
• Thoroughly tested: CE approved.
• Easy to assemble and folds down flat for storage.
• No sharp corners and opens on all sides.
• Kids on the Roof donates 5% of purchase to UNICEF.

My perk for you is that it encourages imagination better than a typical doll house. Don’t get me wrong I love some doll houses. However, with the Mobile Home, kids can perceive their own rooms and how they’d like the spaces to be arranged. They can decorate how they choose and simply swim in the simplicity of design that is the blue cardboard house.

Available at Spunky Sprout.

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Offbeat Holiday Gift Guide: Home for the Kiddos

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 the Woodland Home for Elves and Gnomes.

Exterior (mushroom-like; hence the name):

This door leading to the balcony is amazing. Stained glass and cedar wood. According to the Mushroom House site, light plays off the stained glass onto the rocks, water, and the sky above when sunbeams spill in.

Check out the design of the kitchen cabinets:

My dream bedroom, with an incredible view, swirling green walls, and outstanding window shapes… so soothing.

The entire home is unbelievable. You can take a great tour at the Mushroom House website and see all the little touches that make this home exceptional.

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Offbeat Worth Revisiting: The Mushroom House

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?

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Offbeat Holiday Gift Guide: King of Siam

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 Loco and in one amazing post they have something for every offbeat guy and gal around. I’m talking crazy squirrels, a pitcher that pours from midair, blue sand castles, and more. In ONE post. Go see.

BEAUTY

Inhabitat has the most beautiful post; TEHAMA GRASSHOPPER Rehab by Fougeron Architecture. It’s a warehouse turned home that is stunning.

WOOD

Alternative Building Services has a nice read about how building with wood can be eco-friendly.

CO2

Blog like you give a damn, as always is, blogging like they give a damn with great information about the newest Alliance for Climate Protection advert: Black Balloons – Making CO2 Real. Nice ad.

HUH?

And in ‘links that really don’t belong here, but I’m posting it anyhow’ I think you should visit one of my favorite non-architect blogs Cranky Fitness. Why? Well, because it was maybe one of two blogs that made me actually laugh out loud this week. I don’t read blogs just to laugh mind you but it’s nice when it happens. The post you need to read is called, Really, Really, Random Friday. It follows a nice cynical science slant the whole way through and is very funny.

Short and sweet links this weekend. Enjoy.

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What the Cool Kids Are Reading

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 wacky pumpkin creations ever made with chainsaws, shotguns, fire, and more. Here are some contest winners I liked.

A few more after the jump.

Someone carved the one below with a lathe! You can make thinks like smooth round rails or wood bowls with a lathe — or in this case turn out one fine looking pumpkin.

Candy corn face.

And to end we have Jack — because I adore Nightmare Before Christmas.

I hope everyone’s Halloween night was happy, fun, and safe!

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Extreme Pumpkin Carving

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.  

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Offbeat Pumpkin Architecture

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 scary homes in store before Halloween eve.

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Haunted House Round-Up: Dracula’s Castle to Winchester House and More Spooky In Between