Mexico: The World's Largest Crystal Caves

When I first saw these pictures in the National Georgraphic, from inside Mexico's Naica mountain I thought they were awesome but presumed they had been put together by a collage artist like Beth Hoekel, or were stills from a retro science fiction film... but they are very much real!!

Mexico's Cueva de los Crystales (Cave of Crystals) contains some of the worlds larges known columns of crystals, with some of the Selenite (gypsum) topping 36 feet long.

Although the mountains of Naica have been mined for a few hundred years it was only in April 2000 that miner brothers Juan and Pedro Sanchez accidentally discovered the Selinite caves when drilling a new tunnel. After informing their boss, and realizing they had stumbled on something rather fabulous, a new route was planned for the tunnel and the caves have largely been preserved.

The temperature in the caves is extremely high (65 c) as under them lie a giant pool of red hot magma. Sadly this was fatal for one robber attempting to steal crystals who had broken through the metal door into the cave and was found dried out inside with carrier bags of crystal fragments....eek.

So to the most important question......can you visit them... ?

Apparently it is possible to organize supervised visits to the top chambers but as the temperatures and dangers are very real, due to the giant pool of magma, the lower caves are very much restricted access only...

I would be happy with a glimpse... where do i sign up?

Mexico's Crystal caves: Selenite

The hand made home of.... Chris Martin

How stunning is this fairytale cabin that I found over at Inhabitat? The handmade home in Bloomington Indiana is surrounded by woodland and has been built by and lived in by Chris Martin and his family since the 1980's when he decided to build a home that would reflect his families values and needs. The home has been a labour of love and it totally shows doesnt it?

I could see myself here... with a herb garden and a pack of dogs, i would be extremely happy.

To view more of this hand made home visit Inhabitat  here

Interior Designed..... Cabin Life

This cabin is dreamy isn't it? I love the way each room has its own theme, subtlety using textiles and pieces from around the world..... Indian block print textiles in the bedroom,  a Moroccan tray and kilim rug in the sitting room. My favorite room in the house is definitely the bathroom. I love the warm mustard paintwork and the Bhavacakra above the bath, this room feels the most warm and natural of all the cabins rooms. It feels like it belongs.

I say 'belongs' as the other rooms in the cabin although stunning do definitely look like rooms that have been put together by an interior designer rather than lovingly put together over time. The brief I guess was to give their holiday getaway a 'bohemian cabin' vibe... It just feels a little polished.... and some of the rooms a little incongruous... white carpet in a cabin!

... that is not to say I dont love it..... I would jump at the chance to live here. I would just have to scruff it up a bit, add some more house plants and change the hunting lodge feel of the bedroom.

Interior Design by M design la