​www.davidsimister-architect.com 
​with Carl Stafford Builders 
​https://www.facebook.com/Carl-Stafford-Builders-101459230218859/

Recently completed, this modest extension and reworking of the ground floor accommodation has transformed a 1930's semi-detached house.

By removing the rear kitchen wall and extending half the footprint, four metres of south facing glazing lets sun-light flood into the breakfast-room. Velfac windows open either side of the corner post for ventilation and access. Open plan kitchen / dining / living has many attractions yet the living-room can be enclosed with tall sliding oak doors. A new kitchen, which reused the existing black granite work-tops, and utility room are provided and the front room becomes a home-office. The extended deck and planting with grasses creates a sunny transition space to the garden.

Atelier Pierre Thibault split this lakeside home in Canada into two volumes that face on to a small courtyard in between.
The Lac Masson residence was named for the body of water it sits next to: a lake in Quebec's mountainous Laurentians region.

The area is known for its many lakes that serve as an escape destination for city dwellers from Montreal. The home's simple wooden volume consists of a square plan, from which a central courtyard was carved out. "The square is split in two halves to create an opening to access the residence, like an oyster's shell," said Atelier Pierre Thibault, based in Quebec City. The ground floor encompasses public areas as well as guest bedrooms, which feature bunk beds shaped "like the hull of a ship". On this floor, glass walls illuminate the space and give residents access to the courtyard, which has a tree planted in its centre. An open-tread staircase leads to the main storey of the home, which contains a double-height living room that connects to the open-plan kitchen and dining room. "The outdoor space is so close to the water, that visitors have the impression of being on a wharf," said the architects. Another flight of stairs leads up to the master suite, which occupies the top floor. The architects treated this space as an isolated refuge for the owners, who can peer into the double-height living room from above. White surfaces characterise the interior of the home. These contrast sleeping areas, which were finished in American walnut wood. The whitewashed exterior blends in to the area's snowy landscape during the winter.

Other homes by Atelier Pierre Thibault include a long narrow home framed by two exterior rooms, and a cabin that stands on stilts within the forest. The studio is well-known for the minimalist aesthetic it brings to its residential projects in Quebec.
Photography is by Maxime Brouillet.

Prentice+Balance+Wickline Architects write:

The Chechaquo Lot 6 Cabin sits in a small meadow ringed by ponderosa pines. Backed up to the toe of a dramatic, rocky butte, it captures views up the boulder-strewn slope as well as through the surrounding forest to mountains in the distance. Kitchen, living and dining spaces open onto a spacious, covered "outdoor room" with a unique indoor/outdoor fireplace. The concrete stems walls of the house's foundation have been pulled back and wide steps that double as seating descend from the deck, which is low enough to require no guardrails. The effect is to make the long and lean cabin seem to hover gracefully above the meadow grasses.

​www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01ALQWQFO/

More expensive than the other two, but more powerful and with Qualcomm QuickCharge. This one comes with a cable, the other two don't. Very fast, slightly more bulky but highly recommended. Amazon says:

• Charge compatible devices up to 4x faster with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 Technology
• Quick Charge 3.0 port + AiPower Adaptive Charging port with dedicated 2.4A output
• Compatible with all USB powered devices including Quick Charge 2.0 & Apple phones & tablets
• Built-in safeguards protect your devices against excessive current, overheating, and overcharging
• Package Contents: AUKEY CC-T7 Car Charger, User Manual and 24 Month Warranty

​www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00M6Q83B4/

Ah, a black plastic one! Very discrete, easy to use, very useful for charging two devices on the move but not as sexy as the grey metal one... Amazon says:

• Turn an unused cigarette lighter outlet in your car into 2 powerful USB charging ports that sit flush to the edge of the outlet
• Charge two devices simultaneously at full speed with 5V 2.4A of dedicated adaptive power output per USB port
• Compatible with all USB powered devices including Android & Apple smartphones & tablets
• Built-in safeguards protect your devices against excessive current, overheating, and overcharging
• Package Contents: AUKEY 24W Dual-Port Car Charger, User Manual, 24 Month Warranty

​www.amazon.co.uk/Charger-compact-aluminum-adapter-Samsung-x/dp/B06XFMFGY4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494956597&sr=8-1&keywords=B06XFMFGY4

Really good looking - puts the black plastic ones to shame! Light but sturdy, hard wearing and extremely useful for charging on the move. Amazon says:

• Elegant, compact metal alloy body with dual USB ports
• Charge two devices simultaneously at full speed with 5V 2.4A of dedicated adaptive power output per USB port
• Compatible with all USB powered devices including Android, Apple smartphones & tablets
• Built-in safeguards protect your devices against excessive current, overheating, and overcharging
• Package Contents: AUKEY CC-S7 Dual Port Car Charger, User Manual, 24-Month Warranty Card

You can't have too many of these, seriously! This time in a lovely gun-metal blue-grey but also in black and silver, will recharge your iPhone at least twice. Amazon says:

• Travel-size 5000mAh portable battery will charge an iPhone 7 1.5 times, an iPhone 6s twice, Galaxy S7 once, and the iPad mini to 50%
• Sleek cylindrical metallic aluminum casing, compact, durable and lightweight portable charger
• AiPower Charging Technology - Tuned to adaptively provide the safest maximum recharge rate for all of your USB powered devices
• Built-in safeguards protect your devices against excessive current, overheating, and overcharging
• Package Contents: AUKEY PB-N37 5000mAh Power Bank, 1ft Micro USB Cable, User Manual, 24 Month Warranty

​www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0183LHUL4/

AUKEY Safety Adapter RCD Residual Current Device - Safety for Household Devices and Tooles likes hedge Cutters, Mowers etc...
Looks very well made and to the usual high AUKEY presentation and packaging. Amazon says:

• Protect yourself from harmful or even fatal electrocution with RCD safety plug
• Disconnect in 100 ms if current leak or short circuit is detected
• Maximum load 3120 watts, RCD circuit breaker 240 volt appliance
• Made from non-conductive fire-resistant PC materials
• Package Content: Aukey PA-G1 RCD Safety Adaptor Plug, User Manual, 24-months Worry-free warranty and friendly customer service

​www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XWSXGDK/

Now, these are GOOD! I used them nearly all day yesterday on a return trip to Birmingham on the train. Comfortable but also with a great sound - punchy, excellent bass and very focused, highly recommended and remarkably economical. Easy to pair and a very useful feature - they are magnetic so form a wee necklace when not in your ears. Amazon says:

• Comfortable and secure noise-isolating in-ear headphones that deliver rich, robust sound with punchy bass. Featuring aptX technology for purer wireless audio
• Magnetically clip together for convenient and secure carry around your neck. Great for use on-the-go; walking, commuting, travelling, and more
• Connect quickly with Bluetooth 4.1, to two devices simultaneously, and effortlessly manage audio playback & calls with volume controls, multi-function button, and built-in 6th generation cVc noise-cancelling microphone
• Comfortable ear-tips (in three sizes) provide a smooth seal for your ears, isolating you from external noise
• Package Contents: AUKEY EP-B40 Magnetic Wireless Earbuds, Micro-USB Cable, Three Pairs of Ear-Tips, Three Pairs of In-Ear Ear-hooks, Carrying Pouch, User Manual, 24-Month Warranty Card