Most Creative Beds

It is always nice to have a comfortable bed that you can enjoy sleeping in. It is even better if the bed has a bit of character. Here we have the coolest and most unusual beds you'll ever find

Magnetic Floating Bed 

 

Talk about a cool bed. Designed by Dutchman Janjaap Ruijssenaars, this magnetic floating bed has enough magnets to keep 900 kilograms (1,984 pounds) floating in the air. To make sure that the bed doesn't float away because of hard wind or weird movements, it's tethered to the walls by four cables. Technically, the magnetic floating bed is for sale, but at a price of 1.2 million euros ($1.53 million), you're not likely to find it in your local mattress store.

  Hamburger Bed 

 

Haven't you ever wanted to curl up inside a juicy hamburger? No? Well, too bad. The Internet loves hamburgers and therefore the glorious Hamburger Bed has over 1,000 fans on Facebook and a sesame seed duvet.

  NapShell, an egg-like bed

 

You might not have realized you needed a power-napping bed – but once you have seen this futuristic creation by Napshell you’ll feel your life is totally incomplete without it. Ergonomically designed to be good for your back and spine, the Napshell bed’s super comfy shaped mattress will fit a wide range of body types and heights. Visual and acoustic elements within the bed make instant, deep relaxation possible at the press of a button. Complete with LED lights, MP3 player and sound proof walls, the Napshell is a busy businessperson’s ultimate dream come true.

Molecular Bed 

 

Made of 120 sofa balls covered with elastic fabric, the Feel Seating System designed by Animi Causa has a really unusual shape. It is inspired by a molecular structure, the basic form for all objects is the universe. If you are a playful person you can use it in many creative ways, because the structure of the feel allows to create multiple forms.

Fantasy Coach, 

 

A fairytale bed Wave your magic wand and this carriage may appear to make your little princess' dreams come true. This fanciful coach bed is the most extraordinary children's bed we've ever seen. Handcrafted in England of wood and fiberglass, the oval shaped interior measures just over 6 ft. in diameter. Construction and delivery time on this piece is over 6 months. The bar is set with this magnificent piece; it simply has no equal outside of fairy tales. Linens and interior options priced upon request. The price of a dream come true? $47,000.

Cosmovoide Bed

 

We spend around a third of our lives asleep... but that can't justify spending $60,000 on a bed, can it? The makers of Cosmovoide think it can. Their luxury bed is shaped like an egg (to either give you Morkian dreams, or wrap you up in cozy cosmic harmony or some such nonsense), has hammock-like suspending springs, seven rainbow-colored LEDs, a telephone, and a DVD/home theater set-up including a TV at its foot. Most fascinating? Its twin "electric relaxation bed frames," which just get the mind boggling. That price is the base model, by the way: it's customizable, according to its french manufacturers.

  Quantum Sleeper, the "anti-terrorist" bed 

 

The Quantum Sleeper is a bed that hermetically seals itself as you sleep to protect you from Bio-Chemical terrorist attack, natural disaster, kidnappers/stalkers and affords Bulletproof 'Saferoom' protection." It also has one-way mirrors so intruders can watch themselves futilely try to get in while you sit inside and call the police on your mobile, shortwave or CB radio. You can cower in style with the optional CD and DVD players and microwave oven. The price of protection? 160,000 dollars.

  Private Cloud, the rocking bed  

 

The Private Cloud, designed by Manuel Kloker, is a patented rocking frame for a bed that moves back and forth like a rocking chair. It sells for an average of about $6,800 depending on the size ordered, without the mattress.

The Scoop!

 

Designed by Guido Rosati for Saba Italia, Scoop! is a sophisticated and innovative answer to the demand for combinig the sofa function with the bed function. The two semi-circular sides of the bed can be separated resulting two new pieces of furniture. This bed is a great way to surprise your guests, and also you can be proud to have a stylish contemporary bed and two sofa’s in the same time.

The Computer Bed

 

The computer bed is a normal bed which makes an intelligent use of the space below the bed. The gas pistons enable the bed to double up as a computer table. Invented by European designer Lino's son Francesco, this twin model comes with a reinforced metal frame in your choice of several different kinds of wood. Prices start at $3650.

The Sonic Bed

 

The sonic bed is a king-size bed with 12-channel surround sound. It may look like a wooden tank from the outside, but inside its got enough speakers to dwarf any home theater set up. Created by Kaffe Matthews as a museum exhibit (no plans for retail as of yet), the bed requires 220 volts of electricity and covers every inch of your body in sound.

The Lomme Bed

 

According to the product copy, owners of Lomme Beds will benefit from state of the art light and sound therapy, which remove outside disturbances and "allow you to wake naturally feeling refreshed and full of energy."

  BedUP, the Ceiling Bed

 

Coming from the house of Decadrages, the designer BedUP model offers you a perfect comfort level without occupying much space. Suspended from the ceiling, this novel furniture piece can be accommodated in 4 sq mt space of your apartment. By day, the bed is stored on the ceiling, the under-surface becomes ceiling with the possibility of integrating lighting. At night, the bed can come down in the manner of an elevator and stops at the height previously requested, thus avoiding moving furniture that would have been placed underneath it.

The Hanging Bed 

 

Created by italian designer Andrea Lucatello, the bed is not actually hanging but, it does looks like floating on the floor. The Hanging Bed comes in two sizes, the Queen European King and Double and many colors. The gorgeous bed sells for almost $5,500 excluding the mattresses.

Coffin Bed 

 

The Casket Furniture Company designed a bed for those who wants to know the feeling of sleeping in a coffin. According to their site, this ‘long awaited' item can be yours for only a little over $4,000. It’s constructed of Solid Pine with a removable top and bottom and adorned with a handmade metal cross and gothic pall bearer handles. Finished with an ebony stain and lacquer with a burgandy velvet interior. Disturbingly, their site also indicated ‘locks and latches' are available at an added price.

Most expensive Barbie dolls in the world

Since its debut in 1959, the Barbie doll has kept up with the times and trends. With more than 80 careers, from a teenage fashion model to a presidential candidate to a computer engineer, she has become a cultural icon who has been given honors that are rare in the toy world. She has inspired designers and professionals from around the world to create the fashions of their dreams. Today, we have some of the most expensive Barbie dolls of all time. Hit the jump to see them all…

1) Barbie by Canturi

This year, Mattel commissioned the famous jeweler Stefano Canturi to create the world's most expensive Barbie doll. This one was made to coincide with the launch of the Barbie Basics Collection in Australia. Priced at AUD $600,000 and featuring rare Australian pink diamonds, the Barbie by Canturi has a Canturi neckpiece made up of 3.00 carats of white diamonds around a collectible 1.00ct square.

2) Barbie and the Diamond Castle

Valued at $94,800, this Barbie was a promotional stunt done to promote the movie from the Barbie series, Barbie and the Diamond Castle, which was released back in 2008. This variant adorned 44 round-cut stones including 318 real diamonds on her attire. All of her accessories, including a tiara, slippers, earrings, necklace, bracelet and the ring have been made out of diamonds and white gold.

3) De Beers 40th Anniversary Barbie

Designed by De Beers, this diamond Barbie comes clad in a gown flaunting 160 diamonds complemented by white gold miniature jewelry. This Barbie was produced to mark the 40th anniversary in 1999 comes and was priced at $85,000.

4) Barbie No. 1

This is the world's first Barbie doll, in a zebra-print swimming costume and hoop earrings. It was sold for £2,880 ($4,370) to an anonymous collector at Christies in 2006. Currently, you can buy it from eBay for $8,000.

5) Lorraine Schwartz’s Bling Barbie

Starting this year, Mattel paired up with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) to bring out Barbie Basics Collection that wears little black dresses and come with accessory kits. The dolls went up for auction on January 28. The highlight of the collection was Lorraine Schwartz's diamond-studded Barbie that features $25K worth of diamond accessories. Anyway, it managed to fetch $7,500.

6) Bob Mackie Gold Barbie

Very popular with the collectors, the first Bob Mackie-designed Barbie called the "Gold Barbie" was launched in 1990. A rare personally signed Bob Mackie-designed Gold Barbie is up for grabs at eBay for a cool $1,200.

7) Devi Kroell's Barbie

Devi Kroell, a New York luxury fashion house, created this Barbie doll for the charity auction organized by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). The Devi Kroell one-of-a kind Barbie went for $1,075.

8) Judith Leiber Barbie Doll

Judith Leiber, a known name in couture handbags, designed this dazzling Barbie doll. The doll come with a strapless cocktail dress of taupe lace. The full skirt and fitted corset are adorned with tiny golden sequins. Other embellishments include a golden minaudiere decked out with topaz-colored crystals and a Barbie “B” logo, leaf motif earrings and golden cuff bracelet with set-in crystals. The 2005 Judith Leiber Platinum Barbie is priced at $975 on eBay.

Most buzz-worthy luxury brand collaborations of 2011

In the year 2011, which has virtually drawn to a close now, saw many designer brands join hands together to create limited edition products towards the targeted elite. Whether it were the cars, watches, electronics, or bar equipment, the designer giants produced master piece collectibles, much to the pride of the owners who have managed to pay the premium prices and have received an increment in their pride. This following list points out to some of these partnerships in various segments of limited edition offerings:

1) Bell & Ross and Harley Davidson

Product: The Nascafe Racing bike

Bell & Ross have long mastered the art of haute horologie creations, with their interest primarily inclined towards aeronautics, especially fighter planes. Harley Davidson on the other hand, is perhaps the most celebrated brand for designer motorcycles, mainly because of the advanced technology, and the cutting edge designs. Together they joined hands for the Nescafe racer bike, which was built on the theme of the classic racing bikes, characterized by their exposed thick tyres. The bike featured extensive metal and leather work on the body, especially the exposed engine which showed the brass coated and polished steel finished pipes. Other additions included the carbon BR 01 timepiece on the central console, with the FXSTB Softail Nightrain, just to name a few.

2) Mobiado & Aston Martin

Product: luxury mobile handset series

When luxury watch maker Mobiado joined hands with British luxury car maker Aston Martin, they created the perfect synergy of style and technology with the new mobile handset series. Using exotic metals like yellow gold and platinum, these handsets were created keeping in mind the styling quotient of the Aston Martin cars, and even used the watch making technology by fitting in 2 mechanical watches in each of the handsets.

3) Johnnie Walker and Porsche Design Studio

Product: Blue label private bar

Produced in a limited edition run of 10 units only, Johnie Walker and Porsche Design studio joined hands to create the Blue private bar, which stands as the blend combo of British luxury lifestyle. Modern yet classic and precise, these bars were made with brushed finished titanium, and leather and were also given their own set of equipment. This included the unique whiskey glasses, ice bowl, water jug, and also the 2 bottles of the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Whiskey. Using advanced technology just like the Porsche cars, this personal bar set included motion sensors which would allow the bar to open up on the side of the user to reveal its luxurious interiors, and the 3 bottles of Johnie Walker inside, along with the glasses contained inside.

4) Tumi & Mini Cooper

Product: Special edition Mini Cooper car

One of the rare few in the segment, but this time luggage bag manufacturers Tumi and BMW’s Mini-Cooper joined hands to create a limited edition series of Mini Cooper cars, meant for the discerning rich traveler. Featuring a unique paint scheme on the body, the car will be made in a station-wagon design, which shall give travelers the extra space needed to store their baggage during long journeys. Actually this is a combination of the Clubman and Cooper S versions of the car, albeit with Tumi inspired paint job on the car silhouette.

5) Hublot & Ferrari

Product: Big Bang Ferrari Tourbillon watch for China

In collaboration between a luxury watch brand and an equally celebrated automobile brand, a limited edition series of watches were created, the Hublot Big Bang Ferrari tourbillon, targeted at the Chinese buyers. Produced with only 20 pieces worldwide, this watch used the similar grade of fabrics used in Ferrari F1 cars, i.e. carbon fiber, with the unique chequered pattern along the body. Featuring a HUB 6300 mechanical movement, the engine of the watch is known to have 260 components of various sizes, 35 of which are jewels. Even the casing of the watch was done with red tinted sapphire crystal, known for the high corrosion and anti-reflective properties. The occasion for unveiling of this special timepiece, was the 20th anniversary of Ferrari in China.

6) Bianchi & Gucci

Product: Bianchi by Gucci limited edition bicycle

When 2 Italian design masters come on a common platform, nothing short of the extraordinary can be expected. Same was the case with the Bianchi by Gucci limited edition bicycles, which were given 2 different faces for different riders. The white edition featured a single speed design, with Gucci leather work on the handle bar and body frame, along with the customary 3 color stripes in the top bar. The other edition was the 11-speed carbon fiber edition that was meant for real heavy and rough biking, and featured some extensive black leather seating. Accessories included the colored matched helmet, signature kit gloves, and even a water bottle.

7) Global Bright Group & Porsche Design Studio

Product: World largest outdoor LED TV

Using the expertise of the Global Bright Group in consumer electronics, with the designing finesse and premium quality of Porsche Design Studio, was created what is now the world’s largest outdoor LED TV, targeted at that those who wish watch movies in the outdoor space. In an equally captivating way of casting its magic, the TV emerges from within the ground rather silently until it goes to the zenith of its height, and then starts to play video content to a considerable large audience, gauging by its sheer size. The rather interesting and handy fact was it all was waterproof which means that if there is any sudden instance of rain or excess moisture in the air, it wouldn’t be a problem playing it on open venues. The TV went on made-to-order sale from September 2011. 

8) Garia & Mansory

Product: Garia Mansory Golf cart

With the Dutch expertise at making golf carts and leisure vehicles through Garia, and customization expertise of brands like Rolls Royce thorough Mansory, came the special edition gold cart which could well be tagged as the most luxurious in the world. Using carbon fiber to carve out a sporty and light weight body, this golf cart used rare teak varieties for lining, in order to bring it a niche products’ look. Even the headlights of this leisure vehicle were made according to the latest trend in the auto industry. It is currently available in a street legal & non-street legal version.

9) Linley & Bentley

Product: Special edition Bentley Continental Flying Spur

In a year which saw the Chinese making themselves felt on the luxury lifestyle market, Bentley wasn’t to stay behind in the race of luxury brands to create special edition cars for them. With the help of customization expertise of British designing firm, Linley, Bentley created a series of 10 Continental Flying Spur models, targeted specially towards Chinese buyers. Since customization is the forte of the brand, Bentley ensured it included extremely rare varieties of fabric like single-pattern polished Oakwood used on the central control panel, side door panels, and even the dashboard of the vehicle. Carefully handcrafted, there were several add-ons such as a cashmere wool blanket, luggage tag, and even a special edition leather bag for the 10 elite customers.

The Ritz Carlton Hotel in Charlotte offers 14-carat chocolate Valentine’s Day package

For couples in the United States looking to make Valentine’s Day special this year, there is one other luxury hotel to make sure precisely that; The Ritz Carlton, Charlotte. After the recent Valentine’s Day package by the Langham Hotel, it’s one of the premier most chains of hotels in the world, Ritz Carlton which shall give couples the opportunity, to feel special on the upcoming Valentine’s Day, should they be willing to spend the $14,000 needed for availing the package.

Ten strangest cars at the Barrett-Jackson auction

From three-wheel electrics to mini-semis, here are the ten most bizarre collector cars selling at this week's Barrett-Jackson auction.

 

 

 
With 1,300 vehicles set to sell at this week’s Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, Ariz., the managed mania of collectable cars will hit its annual high. Thanks to a growing number of million-dollar models and a penchant for publicity, Barrett-Jackson draws more gawkers than any other such event. Thanks to its open doors for any seller willing to forgo an auction reserve, it also offers a welter of weirdos. Here’s our pick for the most outlandish, starting with a 1998 Corvette with $90,000 invested in a stroked engine, nitrous and a paint job that looks like a fiery rash. 

 

 
1968 Ultra Motorhome: Any wealthy person can invest in classic Ferraris and Porsches, but it takes real gumption to put your money on a Corvair-based motorhome built with airplane construction techinques and all the brown, durable fabrics the late '60s could muster. It could be the coolest band van ever.

 

1971 Kelsen Sports Rider EV
Americans laugh from afar at the antics of European three-wheelers like the Reliant Robin, but there's something shameful in our attic: the Kelsen Sports Rider EV. While it looks like a cast-off from the rides of a traveling carnival, the Kelsen was sold to carry living people on public roads, its plain.

 

There are two ways to get that big rig feeling while driving a pickup: Convert your pickup into a faux Peterbilt, or take a real Peterbilt and cut it down to size with a pickup bed. This example took the latter course, preserving the Caterpillar diesel and 9-speed Eaton transmission of the original. Best of all, you don't need a commercial driver's license.

 

 
1969 2-Man Sonar Submarine
This Yellow Submarine comes with...wait for it...a guitar signed by Sir Paul McCartney. Since it's not actually usable as a submersible, you'll just have to sit inside and hum "Blue Jay Way" while imagining the depths of your nearest fish pond.

1952 Chevy Pickup ratrod
This slammed pickup has already sold for $28,600, because real "patina" -- i.e., rust in several shades of rust -- has become the hottest trend among rat rodders. Forget the Mercedes and Packards; this is the best example of why people sell their cars at Barrett-Jackson.

 

1973 Datsun Custom Roadster
Given the multi-million dollar prices commanded for '60s era Ferrari 250 GT Lussos, the market is clearly calling for increased supply to meet demand. One answer: Recreate the Ferrari body on a Datsun chassis. Impressimo!

 

1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette OSV #2
Barrett-Jackson often becomes the gateway for show cars of yesteryear from the SEMA conference, like this candy apple-red Oldsmobile Silhouette OSV. Because nothing got people excited for an Oldsmobile minivan like a one-off with custom wheels and floormats.

 

2008 Devon GTX
Of all the rare cars at auction this week, only one can claim to be the stillborn plans for a 21st century American supercar. The Devon GTX was envisioned by its creators as a way to launch a supercar business using the tooling and parts of the Dodge Viper, which Chrysler attempted to sell before its bankruptcy in 2009. The Devon was a good-looking model, but with Chrysler now reviving the Viper on its own, there's little room for a privateer.

Top 10 hacking scandals of 2011

As more and more celebrities join the social networking bandwagon, they also become increasingly vulnerable to hacking. From heads of states to Hollywood celebrities, this year saw a series of hacking incidents involving high-profile victims. Check out the top 10 most controversial ones...

Selena Gomez's Twitter and Facebook fans woke up to an uncharacteristic post about her boyfriend Justin Bieber. The venomous post screamed "Oh yeah, JUSTIN BIEBER SUCKS!!!!!!!". The teen singer immediately clarified that it was a case of hacking and she had nothing to do with the post.

Hollywood star Ashton Kutcher, who used to host the celebrity prank show, Punk'd, got a taste of is medicine his Twitter account @aplusk was hacked. A tweet sent to his followers said, "Ashton, you've been Punk'd. This account is not secure. Dude, where's my SSL?"

Kim Kardashian went into a panic mode when her Twitter account was hacked by internet pranksters this year. On discovering fake tweets posted by an imposter, the socialite appealed to bosses of the site to help restore the security on her account.

In one of the biggest data breaches, Sony admitted to an external intrusion which exposed personal information of 77 million PlayStation Network users. The PlayStation maker warned users that the hackers might have access to customers' vital information, including names, birthdates, physical and e-mail addresses, and logins, handles and credit card details.

 

Hackers defaced a website belonging to Blackberry maker Research in Motion soon after the company revealed its plans to support police investigating the London riots. The hackers posted on the blog: "No Blackberry you will NOT assist the police." Blackberry took off the blog briefly and restored it to its original form.

In one of the most shocking security breach incident, around two lakhs Facebook accounts were hacked in Bangalore. The users' photos and videos were morphed and the sleazy links mailed to friends and families overnight.

A scam on Lady Gaga's Facebook page fooled many fans into clicking the link to win an iPad. The contest rules and registration were presented as a link to a Blogspot page. "Lady Gaga's new iPad comes out in 3 days! So for the next 72 hours we will be hosting a massive giveaway to all the Mother Monster fans. Sign up and receive your special Lady Gaga edition iPad in time for the Holidays!" hackers posted on her Facebook page. The presence of the fake iPad offer didn't go unnoticed, and was taken down within an hour.

 

Hackers played a cruel joke on French President Nicolas Sarkozy when they posted a fake resignation letter from his Facebook page. The post, which went out to more than 350,000 'friends' of the head of the state read like this: "Dear compatriots, given the exceptional circumstances our country is experiencing, I have decided in my spirit and conscience not to run for office again at the end of my mandate in 2012".

 Thailand's Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, fell victim to the hacking menace when her Twitter account was hacked. Her followers received tweets criticizing her political experience and incompetence. The tweets also suggested that she was her brother's (former Prime Minister - Thaksin Shinawatra) puppet.

While celebrities and popular figures have been the target of hackers, it was media house Fox News who faced their ire in July this year. In a gruesome joke, the hackers tweeted the death of president Obama. Some of the tweets read like this: @BarackObama has just passed. The President is dead. A sad 4th of July, indeed. President Barack Obama is dead." This was followed by more on the same lines claiming that Obama was shot at a restaurant while campaigning.