Dornob | Design Ideas Daily

Dornob | Design Ideas Daily

Iceland Hotel Highlights Natural Beauty of its Surroundings

Posted: 20 Jan 2014 08:00 AM PST

northern lights ion hotel iceland

The Ion Hotel in Iceland is quite possibly the most desirable winter getaway we’ve ever seen. Designed by architects Minarc, both of whom are natives of Iceland, the hotel is situated in the middle of some of Iceland’s most beautiful natural features.

minimally decorated icelandic hotel

simple unadorned hotel room

This isn’t a luxury spa getaway, however. This minimally decorated hotel doesn’t focus on creature comforts; rather, it allows each visitor every opportunity to enjoy the intense beauty of its surroundings.

simple nature based hotel iceland

iceland hotel natural elements

The low building is situated on a hillside, with one end protruding out over the lower ground. It looks like a gigantic concrete shipping container which has been fitted with countless windows. It was designed to be as unobtrusive as possible to the breathtaking surroundings. Geothermal heating comes from surrounding hot springs, and other indigenous materials such as driftwood and lava were used in the hotel’s construction.

northern lights bar

beautiful natural setting hotel iceland

The Ion sits next to Lake Thingvallavatn, the largest natural lake in Iceland, and among the slopes of the Hengill volcano. This terrestrial beauty is breathtaking, but from the Northern Lights bar one can even see the aurora borealis lighting up the night sky.

outdoor tub warmed by lava

lava springs

There are, of course, a few luxuries to make the trip even more memorable. The lava (magma, technically) from the volcano warms the outside pool, making it into an artificial hot spring, or lava spa. We would gladly give up television, room service and probably even a bed for a chance to stay in this haven of natural Icelandic beauty.

Curved Cutlery: Challenging Circular Flatware Set

Posted: 19 Jan 2014 02:00 PM PST

Curving Cutlery 1

This unusual swooping cutlery is pleasingly dynamic to the eye, but requires a bit of a learning curve to use. The Shamshir Cutlery set by XYZ adapts the Eastern tradition of curved knives such as the Nepalese khukuri to forks and table knives. The set fits together into a complete circle around a dinner plate.

Curving Cutlery 2

Curving Cutlery 3

The five-piece set is made of real silver and includes two knives, two forks and one squared-off spoon.

Curving Cutlery 4

The set is visually interesting to be sure, making for a striking modern table setting – but would the trouble of actually getting food into your mouth be worth it? It’s probably safe to say that few other utensils could stir as much conversation.

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