Transforming an elegant and timeless four-story Georgian residence in London into a more appealing, modern space is a job that demands both creativity and plenty of care. Adding to the complexity of the task was the historic façade of the house that needed to be left untouched even while giving the interior a refreshing, classy makeover. Taking up this complex challenge and delivering in a grand fashion are the creative folk from DOS Architects, who combined modern comfort and updates with the classic elements of the house to create the captivating Holland Park Avenue. Bringing together the best of both worlds, the 500-square meter home is indeed an absolute masterpiece that seems to transcend styles and eras!

We have seen some amazing, glass renovations from DOS Architects in the past, but this one take s a different approach by simply reconfiguring and updating the interior. Many of the original Georgian design elements of the home are kept intact and the decor used acts as a bridge between the present and the past. Luxurious leather chairs, plush rugs and iconic furniture pieces are combined with the extensive and exceptional art collection of the homeowner to craft a truly one-of-a-kind home. The backdrop of each room is kept as neutral as possible to let these fascinating at pieces shine through even while avoiding a sleek, contemporary art gallery-inspired ambiance.

The classic windows of the house along with modern glass walls and windows are used to usher in ample natural light even as smartly placed skylights ensure that there are absolutely no dark corners anywhere. Lower levels of the house feature the living areas, kitchen and dining space while the top floor houses the opulent master bedroom and bath. A smart private garden and clever artificial lighting complete the extensive overhaul.

You’re reading Classic Georgian House in London Gets a Cultured Modern Revamp, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

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People and animals have enjoyed hot and steamy waters for thousands of years. From the famous Icelandic pools (that have been in use since Viking times) to the Japanese macaque monkeys who regularly warm up in the Jigokudani Hot Springs, relaxing in steamy waters is one of life’s simple pleasures.

Simple outdoor hot tub at home [From: Olfactory Obsessed]

Warming up in a hot tub while it’s cold outside—or even better, snowing—is a super-luxurious experience. Once you’ve tried it, you’ll be hooked. Whether you install your own tub on your back porch, or travel to some of the world’s best spas, you can regularly enjoy the muscle- and mind-relaxing benefits of hot tubs the world over if you seek them out. Here’s some travel or home-improvement inspiration if you want to warm it up this winter.

A Sizzling, Steamy Winter!

Hotel Vieux Vicheres, located in Verbier-St.Bernard, Switzerland, is updating its historic buildings and spa. When it came time for new hot tub ideas, this (below) was one of their design finalists. They asked their fans and readers if they preferred a shorter stint in a rousing, bubbly tub, or a longer, more tranquil soak in a traditional Swiss tub. Hmmm….Good question!

A still hot tub for soaking

Begun in the Swiss Alps in the mid-90s, Iglu-Dorf was initially constructed as a temporary place for snowboarders to sleep on-mountain and wake up to the freshest snow. As friends and visitors began asking if they could spend the night in the handmade igloos, a business was born. Sustainably constructed each winter from local materials, there are now igloo villages to stay in Andorra, Davos-Klosters (new at the junction Slate/Totalp), Engelberg, Gstaad, Zermatt and Zugspitze. And with tired snowboarders come the need for an igloo-hot tub of course, pictured below.

Igloo Village hot tub

Hot tubs are an outdoor element that you can really personalize to your taste, which makes them ideal for an infusion of style and self-expression. For those with a gypset style, the wonderfully bohemian scene below, from Boats’N Hoes, is a perfect example of making your location the highlight of your home-spa set-up.

Boho hot tub with a view

Unraveling Alpine Magic

Of course, what could be better than a glass of champagne while enjoying a hot tub in the snow? I can’t think of a thing! This one’s from the private Chalet Spa Verbier, also in the Swiss Alps, which can be rented by you and yours, or serve as a jumping-off point for your own design; this hot tub and stone wall-ringed patio are built into a hillside with phenomenal views to the left of the image.

Chalet Spa Verbier hot tub

Bohemian definitely isn’t for everyone; another take on the at-home hot tub is this built-in, cozily ensconced in local stone, and hidden from view by the house on one side and a hillside on the other.

A very private hot tub

The Twenty26 Boutique Chalet in the French Alps (next to the Portes du Soleil ski mountain) keeps it classy with a hot tub for soaking…. and a sauna for drying off, along with several levels of decks for relaxing. If it were mine to enjoy, I would do the classic Swedish thing: Five-ten minutes in the hot tub, then a freezing douse in the snow, then into the sauna, all of which is great for the skin.

Chalet Twenty26 in the French Alps boasts both a sauna and a hot tub (foreground)

Cozy and Contemporary

Armathwaite Hall in the UK’s Lake District is a classic English manor with fabulous modern upgrades, like this sizable infinity hot tub. There’s also a larger spa and meditation area, and you can sign up to learn survival skills to earn your tub time—or just relax, of course.

Armathwaite Hall’s outdoor hot tub

Of course, you can always keep it simple. A bank of snow, a steaming hot tub and a warm place to call home at the end of the night: This cozy scene comes from the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, where you can ski in (and, I suppose, ski out) of your very own hot tub.

One of the private tubs at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

You’re reading Hot Tub Snow Machine: 9 Totally Unique Soaking Spots, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

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