The Style Cat: 20 Most Popular Projects Presented on Freshome in 2012

Dear Freshome readers, it is time to draw the line and remember some of the fascinating projects presented on Freshome in 2012. We gathered a list with 20 of the most popular posts in the last 12 months, according to traffic and shares. Enjoy and remember that you can click on each photo for more pictures and information about the projects.

#1. This amazing pool shaped like a guitar proved to be a challenge for its designers and builders, Canadian Aqua-Tech Company. Wanting a guitar-shaped swimming pool in his backyard, the client was presented with an exact replica of a Les Paul Custom guitar – shaped in fine details and exemplary displaying creativity in design and construction.

#2. Nestled on a hill near Bali’s Valley of the Kings, Viceroy Bali Resort&Spa offers accommodation units that combine comfort and privacy. The 25 villas of the resort are integrated within this scenic landscape, allowing each of the guests here to enjoy exquisite views from the comfort of their cottage-like dwelling.

#3. We are certain some of you Hip-hop enthusiasts out there wondered how the crib of American rapper Pharrell Williams looks like. Well, we found his 9,000-square-foot penthouse duplex in Miami, Florida, listed for sale for $16.8 million. The self-entitled Kidult described his home as a reverse fishbowl, one that allows him to see everything happening outside, without him being observed.

#4. Located on North Malé’ atoll, in the constantly-fascinating Maldives, Reethi Rah five-star resort developed by One&Only, awaits guests with great services and an array of activities, making each holiday here memorable. One&Only Reethi Rah is home to 130 private villas discreetly placed along the shore – with 98 Beach Villas secluded by lush tropical greenery, and 32 Water Villas set above the clear, protected waters of the lagoon.

#4. Belgian decorator Lionel Jadot was commissioned to transform a former farmhouse into a spectacular chalet. Located near Megève, a major tourist resort in the French Alps, the project features two levels and a spectacular design.

#5. Resonating with its surroundings, the Bulgari Resort in Bali speaks a hybrid design language, combining traditional Balinese shapes and high class Italian style in an unforgettable destination. A sophisticated atmosphere intertwines with exquisite services in a successful attempt of creating a sublime experience. Gathering views across the Indian Ocean, the resort sits 150 meters over the sea, implementing natural inspiration and creating a dreamy setting for guests.

#6. Famous football team and sports institution Real Madrid, recently uncovered their plans to develop a project entitled Real Madrid Resort Island in collaboration to the government of the Emirate of Ras al-Khaimah. The talked about $1 billion investment will result in exclusive villas, a 5-star hotel, an amusement park, a club museum and the world’s first stadium with one side open to the sea.

#7. Located in Unterterzen, near one of Switzerland’s largest lakes – Walensee – this residential project raising two stories in the air was designed by Austrian studio K_M Architektur. Overlooking both the lake and the Churfirsten mountains, the splendid modern residence rests on an undulating landscape and displays an incredible connection to its surroundings.

#8. We love books too, which is why we are happy this project made it at number two. Ever wondered how a massive bookcase can become part of a working space? This is a fantastic solution – constructing a round bookcase hovering above the work space.

#9. The Isaly Residence is a stunning home designed for the Isaly family in a 1848 Gramercy Park townhouse in New York City. By adding a 620 square feet penthouse on top, the building was split into two apartments of equal value. The open floor upper part was to become a beautiful showcase home inhabited by the Isalys. Fractal Construction collaborated with light designer Ingo Maurer and sculptor Emilio Garcia to create an up-to-date residence, displaying plenty of inspirational elements.

#10. Provoking travelers to indulge in this combination of pure luxury and breathtaking beach side panoramas, Velassaru Maldives is located at the fine line between the sky and the ocean, in the paradise we call the Maldives. This expressive island hotel holds details inspired by local architecture, while the finishes are luxurious and invite to a world of indulgence.

#11. Located in a Chelsea brownstone landmark townhouse, these splendid residential spaces fluctuate between outside and inside. The place was renovated for a fashion designer in search of a balanced composition of textures, colors and light and was designed by Archi-Tectonics.

#12. Architectural bureau SL Project founded by by Russian architect Alexey Nikolashina completed a modern apartment design in Moscow, Russia. Lacquer finishes set the tone for the apartment, making this home highly modern.

#13. Located in the heart of Megève, a commune in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France, Chalet Brikell is an exceptional 12,900 square foot luxury accommodation unit developed by the creative team at Pure Concept.We are a bit surprised to see this project in at number one, although we have to admit it got us thinking about winter, skiing and warm nights by the fireplace- so we salute your option.

#14. The patent-pending Rocking-2-Gether Chair designed by Houston architect Paul Kweton creates this shared moment routine while displaying a carefully mastered design. Made out of CNC milled birch plywood, the modern rocking chair can be customized to display different density and sizes for the wooden spacers, so you can control the visual connection between you and your pet.

#15. This impressive penthouse in San Francisco can be defined by color, inspirational interior design and luxury. The generous apartment has a total surface of 3,879 square feet and occupies the entire 21st floor of a beautiful Art Deco building.

#16. Located in Girardot, Colombia and designed by studio GM Arquitectos, GM1 House comes with a highly contemporary appearance characterized by a large flat roof, floor to ceiling windows and an overall minimalist design approach. This modern South American residence is structured on two levels and was envisioned with emphasis on nature, on bringing the lush surrounding environment indoors.

#17. Fun, comfort and luxury go hand in hand in this special residential project found in New York City. The owner’s excellent idea of uniting two new penthouse levels in the city’s East Village took shape under the attentive supervision of Turett Collaborative Architects (TCA). Sliding down from one floor to another seems to be a luxury not only children can afford.

#18. For all of you nature lovers looking for a home outside urban conventions and racket, here is an option. Eco-Perch was designed by Sussex-based architecture and construction firm Blue Forest and ensures a high living standard. Would you consider giving up your modern apartment for a nature-surrounded, all-equipped tree house ?

#19. The B&N House, defined by the Spanish studio, A-cero, is a spacious home, with a complex look and an interior full of luminosity. A-cero designed almost every single detail: from the unusual structure, to the interior beams and panels adorning the living area and the furniture that blends chromatically with the whole house concept.

#20. Minsk, Belarus is the home for this exquisite, impeccable decorated loft, where ( a particular and unusual type of) coziness and colors create a beautiful story. Really welcoming and different, the apartment is a strange mix of wood, bricks and concrete.