There are a number of churches around the globe that have been converted into truly impressive homes. The decor ranges from modern and minimal to rustic and cozy. Here is a peek inside these holy homes…

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There are a lot of ways apartment dwellers can bring some greenery into their homes, many of them remarkably clever. Here’s one more that fits that description: “Volet Végétal,” French for “plant shutter,” is a folding balcony for a garden, built right into the window.

Volet végétal is the work of design firm Barreau & Charbonnet, a submission for the upcoming exterior design expo in Paris, Jardins Jardin. It’s a pretty simple design. A wooden frame holds three planters that are set up to rotate, so that when the frame goes from vertical to horizontal, the plants remain upright. A pulley system raises and lowers the setup.

It’s a lovely way to get your plants plenty of sunlight, and make sure your neighbors and people in the street below know just how great a gardener you are.

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In photographer Lee Eunyeol’s ‘Starry Night’ series the sky and the earth appear to have switched places, and planets and stars appear embedded within cracks in the earth. Lee’s stunning light installations are created by installing LED bulbs in natural settings to create epic illuminated landscapes. Using temporal photographic techniques the artist creates these mysterious sights, which reach off into the distance like magical forests in a fairy tale.

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It used to be that roofs were up top where nobody could see them, covered in gravel and full of mechanical equipment. Architectural renderings were pretty much all shot from eye level. Not anymore; green roof technology is making roofs into habitable architecture, and changing the way architects think of buildings.

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Not Tom was approached by British bone china maker Buttercup China to create a stand at the Spring Fair 2012. Lining the wall with over 800 plates to create a giant scalloped pattern, Not Tom was able to demonstrate how simple, quality products can create a dramatic impact. The display won the best stand in show prize, too.

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Ever looked behind you at your footprint while walking in snow shoes? There is often a cool design that is now imprinted into the snow! Artist Simon Beck has taken art to a new level by using his snow shoes to create a one of a kind masterpiece on the frozen lakes of Savoie, France.

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Hold It Contemporary Home is proud to be called home to 16 one-of-a-kind Thai Air Roots from Liana Vines! Each piece is collected from the forests of Thailand and then sanded and bleached to give it a distinct, unique look! Come by the store and see them up close for yourself!

The annual EarthFair in Balboa Park is the largest free annual environmental fair in the world. Each year, the EarthFair draws around 70,000 visitors.

Produced by 400 volunteers, EarthFair features more than 350 exhibitors, special theme areas, a Food Pavilion, a special Kids’ Activity Area, three entertainment venues, the Children’s Earth Parade, the eARTh Gallery art show, and the Cleaner Car Concourse. For more information visit www.EarthDayWeb.org.

Floating on a raft in Thailand is an experience that dreams are made of, but add Ole Scheeren’s cinema to the equation and you’ll basically feel like you died and went to heaven. Designed as a theater for the Film on the Rocks Yao Noi Film Festival, the Archipelago Cinema was nestled between two verdant rocks in the middle of Nai Pi Lae Lagoon near Kudu Island. The lucky guests were floated out to watch a nighttime film in what was described as a surreal and almost primordial cinematic experience.

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Talk about greenery! WHOA Architects have created a skyscraper that will boast over 15,000 square feet of green space that encompasses high end offices and a hotel. The building will be completely overrun by green pathways, water features, leafy terraces and vertical gardens. They truly have redefined what it means to have a garden outside of your window.

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