No laptops allowed.

We live in an over-connected world of smartphones, social networking, and 24-hour news cycles. Sometimes, you just need to get away from it all. Whether you dream of a wood cabin in the forest, a cabana on an empty beach, or a treehouse outfitted in sustainable materials, there’s a zen retreat that’s sure to fit the bill. Let this collection of images inspire your next escape.

(above) Minimalist Retreat, Leiria, Portugal

Alila Villas Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia

Hudson Passive Project, Hudson Valley, New York, USA

Desert Nomad House, Tucson, Arizona, USA

Minimalist Country Retreat, Corcovado River, Portugal

Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos

Asilomar Retreat Complex, Pacific Grove, California, USA

Stealth Barn, Norfolk, England

Summerhouse, Sweden

Temple, Kyoto, Japan

Palm Island, The Grenadines

Mesa Cabin, Utah, USA

Desert Nomad House, Tucson, Arizona, USA

The King of the Frogs Tree House, Münster, Germany

Bay of Fires, Northeast Tasmania, Australia

Latitude 10 Resort, Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

Tierra Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

Little Cabin, Yakutat, Alaska, USA

Romantic and Stylish Upstate Cabin, Elizaville, New York, USA

The Naka Island, Phuket, Thailand

Off-grid itHouse, Pioneertown, California, USA

Japanese Garden, Pasadena, California, USA

Canvas Hotel, Telemark County, Norway

lostrivermodern, Lost City, West Virginia, USA

Paperbark Camp, Jervis Bay, Australia

SEE ALSO:

40 Gorgeous Photos of Europe

40 Gorgeous Photos of North America

40 Gorgeous Photos of Latin America

40 Gorgeous Photos of Asia

40 Gorgeous Photos of Africa

25 Photos of Islands Threatened by Climate Change

25 Images of Female Adrenaline Seekers

40 Photos from Flea Markets Around the World

30 Gorgeous Photos of Winter Snowscapes

30 Gorgeous Photos of Farming and Agriculture

15 Hilarious Photos of Interspecies Mingling

30 Photos of the World’s Most Uniquely Designed Buildings

20 Photos of Female Activists Throughout History

30 Gorgeous Photos of Spring

30 Gorgeous Photos of Traditional Textiles

The post 25 Photos of Zen Retreats appeared first on EcoSalon.

What happens when one style meets another? Is it catastrophe waiting to happen or is there hope for harmony?

That’s why we created Style Clash. Some design styles are more flexible; others force us to stretch outside our comfort zone. Each week we will offer tips for mixing competing styles successfully.

What do we mean by “successful”, you ask? If nothing seems strange, jarring or just plain ugly, then I’m all for it regardless of time period, colorway or material. I call it a successful Style Clash.

For our fifth installment in the Series we will mix Rustic Lodge with Japanese Zen and see where we land.

Even if you prefer a warm seaside breeze over crisp, cold mountain air, the Rustic Lodge Style (image above) should be familiar to you. Think ‘modern day Daniel Boone’. His log cabin is practically an icon – the exposed logs stacked to form a simple, humble abode.

The unrefined and raw aesthetic of Rustic Lodge Style shouldn’t be a stretch for your design eye to imagine. As evidenced here (image above and below), the focus is on natural, local elements like wood, stone and rocks along with linen and cotton fabrics, comfy quilts, leather and suede and animal prints. Bring the outdoors in, but leave the chill outside.

Throw in some wrought iron, a big stone fireplace, a few weathered antiques and big, overstuffed furniture and you have yourself Rustic Lodge (image above) at its warm and coziest.

Across a continent and the Pacific we find Japanese Zen (image above) in all its soothing and unpretentious refinement. There’s no glory in the Zen interior – its only intention is balance, peace of mind and, if you’re lucky, the ultimate – nirvana.

Furnishings are uncomplicated and few and far between. Subtle colors, smooth surfaces, natural materials. The Zen aesthetic avoids the harsh or bold (image above and below), opting instead for harmony of the five elements: wood, fire, earth, water and metal.

Combining these styles may seem impossible to imagine, but that’s why we are here. Style Clash turns this unlikely duo into a design marriage made in heaven.

The rough and worn Rustic in the “clash” interiors (image at top, image above and below) stands true but leaves plenty of simple, unadorned space for the Zen. Notice the refined, straight lines of the furniture, the smooth, slick coolness of stones, the sturdiness of the raw wood beams and thick wood doors.

It’s a warm and welcoming mountain hideaway sprinkled with calm, relaxed and uncomplicated. Reminding me of the simple joy of a hot bath after the sweating and exertion of a long trek through the trails, this winning combination leaves me feeling calm and content.

If I had to define this “clash”, I’d call it something like weathered, raw and rough with a peaceful, soothing spoonful of serenity.

Meet me here next week as we continue to cruise the spectrum of interior design styles, two at a time. Ciao for now!

Images: Remodelista, yatzer, Locati Architects, HGTV, Salvinia Lodge.

The post Style Clash: Raw and Rustic Meets Smoothly Serene appeared first on EcoSalon.