Nick Georgiou Turns The Printed Word Into Art. Old Books & Newspapers Become Sculpture.

Artist Nick Georgiou of Tuscon, Arizona puts old books and newspapers to good use by crafting them into three dimensional sculptures and ornately framed wall art. His human faces, flowers and animals made of rolled up newspapers and old book pages will have looking at that previously read paperback in a different light.

"My art is inspired by the death of the printed word. Books and newspapers are becoming artifacts of the 21st century. As a society we're shifting away from print consumption and heading straight towards full digital lives. My sculptures are products of their environment —both literally and figuratively. As often as I can, I use local newspapers to add authenticity, and the form the sculpture takes is a reflection of the personal connection I feel to that particular city. From a day-to-day standpoint, I'm heavily influenced by my surroundings. These days, I draw inspiration from America's South West, and in particular Tucson, AZ--where I've lived and worked for almost two years. Going from NY to the desert is a pretty dramatic shift. Your concept of space expands when it's not obstructed by buildings. You pay closer attention to nature because you're always in it—and you do what you can to preserve it." -- Nick Georgiou

above: A self portrait made of old newspapers by Nick Georgiou

See tons more at his site:
Nick Georgiou

a special thanks to the cool blog Gizfactory, for bringing this to my attention

Modern Home In The Texas Hills With Spillover Pool By Cottam Hargrave.

402 Redbud Trail is a modern residence designed by Cottam Hargrave in the wooded hills of Austin, Texas. The project, whose sale was handled by the Kush group, was designed for a family of five with multiple living areas. With few gadgets, the house focuses on permanence and craftsmanship. It is sited to capture the views from the rear of a steep site that is accessed from the bottom.




Ascending the driveway, the observer first sees the underside of the building. This view highlights the relationship between the building and ground. The foundation becomes an integral part of the entry sequence while the pool, lawn, and patio act as integral parts of the house.















text courtesy of Cottam Hargrave, images courtesy of the photographer, the architects and the Kush Group

Location: West Lake Hills, TX
Residential Designers: Jay Hargrave and Michael Waddell, Cottam Hargrave
Interior Designer: Joy Kling, Spazio by Lytle Pressley
Home Builder: Gary Robinson, Home as Art, Inc.

Photos: Paul Bardagjy Photography

Cottam Hargrave
Office Address:
701-A South Lamar
Austin, TX 78704
Phone: 512-225-2400
Fax: 512-225-2401
Email: info@cottamhargrave.com

The Coqoon Treetop Spa Provides Mid-Air Pampering At The Indigo Pearl, Phuket.

Award-winning 5-star Phuket resort Indigo Pearl has just opened a cutting-edge designer spa, most unique for its suspended treetop room providing mid-air pampering.



Modeled on the boyhood vision of internationally renowned designer, Bill Bensley, who is responsible for the entire resort’s raw-industrial meets sensual-chic styling, Coqoon Spa takes guests on a ‘journey of discovery and healing’.






It is set amongst lush tropical rainforest as the resort’s very own ‘Garden of Eden’ and uses a banyan tree as the hanger for its signature treatment room.




Coqoon Spa features six deluxe treatment rooms as well as an exclusive ‘Coqoon Suite’ complete with private pool, rain shower, steam room, sauna and Vichy shower available for private hire for up to 3-days. It comes complete with a spa butler for ease and convenience of multiple treatments throughout guests’ stay.





The ‘pièce de résistance and must-try for all spa enthusiasts is ‘The Nest’ – a luxurious spa suite suspended midair and accessed by a flying bridge, allowing guests to get up close and personal with nature.





Coqoon Spa is adorned throughout in silvery-blue palms and hues of plumbago. It takes the typical ‘zen’ approach to spas and gives it a lively / unusual twist with industrial touches and a fresh colour scheme. Its treatments menu is steeped in Thai tradition whilst embracing holistic ideals in the pursuit of better health and wellness.



On offer is a range of aromatic body treatments, scrubs and wraps, Anne Semonin facial treatments, hand and foot care, and beauty treatments. Rare plant essences, Andaman elixirs and Thai herbal spices excite the senses and rejuvenate the mind, body and spirit, administered by highly qualified therapists ensuring guest comfort and privacy at all times.



This wellness journey extends to the privacy of guests’ own accommodations with custom-designed ‘D-Buk’ spa suites, where individual experiences can be tailored to suit special requests and needs – with spa executives designing an individual treatment programme which is both enjoyable while also meeting specific goals and objectives. These can incorporate diet, exercise, activity, rest and relaxation with spa treatments to ultimately rejuvenate mind, body and spirit.


In celebration of the Coqoon Spa opening, Indigo Pearl is offering the “Coqoon Revival” package, a delicately designed package to revitalize and nourish body and soul available at THB 22,500 net from now until 15 April 2011.



The acclaimed 5-star Indigo Pearl is a fusion of modern architecture and Thai tin-mining heritage next to Nai Yang Beach, just 10 minutes from Phuket International Airport. The resort has been hailed as a design masterpiece by global media publications and boasts easy access with direct flights to Phuket from almost everywhere in Asia.


Indigo Pearl Coqoon Spa

+66 (0) 76 327 006