What lies beneath: under this little hut in is an aquarium where you sleep while being eyeballed by fish.

On the shores of a Swedish lake, it’s not unusual to see a small red hut. To see that shack in the middle of a lake, even in a country known for its unusual accommodation offerings, is a little less common.

It’s true, like something straight out of a Swedish detective novel: the hero is being pursued by his nemesis, so he takes refuge in the Utter Inn - tricky access and great visibility mean no one gets near without being spotted. Even better, the guestroom is out of firing range.

VideoTomatoes, cucumbers, summer squash or all of the above?

We have the basics of apartment gardening down and still need to decide what to grow.

When most people start their urban garden, they have visions of growing tomatoes, cucumbers and so many other vegetables. Then the reality sets in when tomatoes start dying and cucumbers shrivel up. Not to worry. I’ll help you to figure out which vegetables to choose.

ColumnThe significance of our locks.

Throughout history, humans have imbued hair with meaning. Take for instance a superstitious Picasso who is said to have kept all his hair cuttings (and nails) to protect him from witchcraft. In an era when women were still property, Victorians’ long tresses could increase a dowry. Urban myth or not, Samson may indeed have lost his virility when Delilah cut his locks.

From debugging the grill of your car to cleaning pots and pans, there’s more than one way to use a dryer sheet. 

You’ve probably heard the tip about putting dryer sheets in your vacuum or bottom of the trash can to keep things smelling fresh. You haven’t? Well, it’s true. And here are ten additional ways of fluffing up your abode with downy freshness (we always suggest using non-toxic dryer sheets!)

Roses are red, violets are blue, everything was great ‘til he moved in with you.

Couples move in for all sorts of reasons: love, convenience, flood damage, rodents. Using the above as a very rough estimation, that means only 25% of move-ins are intentional. Wait. A whopping three quarters of co-habitating partners are living together by accident? It’s entirely possible. No wonder 50% of marriages end in divorce.

Wherein we ask our favorite design bloggers, curators and forecasters what inspires them.  

We are very pleased that Jaime Derringer of Design-Milk is kicking off our inaugural week in our 5 Questions Series. Design-Milk is a blog and magazine that provides constant inspiration and direction on what’s happening in contemporary art, furniture, architecture, interior design, style, technology, and home accessories.

More than a shower curtain: consider it a blank canvas.

Another creation from design collaborative Grain, this DIY Shower curtain kit (called Ty, $33) encourages you to embrace your inner grizzly, unicorn, or whatever inspires your permanent marker (included; comes in black, blue or green).

The plain white shower curtain is made from 100% High-Density Polyethylene, one of the most commonly recycled and PVC-free plastics available today, and strung up on nickel-plated brass grommets. The refillable non-toxic magic marker is comprised of 74% …

Room with a hue: the Pantone Hotel is themed around every designer’s essential tool.

Cutting-edge design might not be the first thing that springs to mind when Brussels is mentioned. Maybe mussels, chocolate, lots of Euro-politics. As such, the Pantone Hotel is a much-needed blast of color in the midst of bureaucratic grey. If you’re a beige, greige or otherwise neutral palette person, then forget it. If you’re a designer, it’s hotel heaven.