KZBlog » yurt http://www.kzblog.net An American expat living in Astana, Kazakhstan Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:41:18 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Yurts Are High Fashion and Slum Fashion Toohttp://www.kzblog.net/2011/12/05/yurts-are-high-fashion-and-slum-fashion-too/ http://www.kzblog.net/2011/12/05/yurts-are-high-fashion-and-slum-fashion-too/#comments Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:00:52 +0000 KZBlog http://www.kzblog.net/?p=4399 Speaking of housing in Central Asia, I guess Occupy Toronto has been living in $20,000 yurts Before you laugh, yurts are insanely warm and comfortable, even the normal, handmade kind that only cost a few thousand. That’s the hipster/slum fashion side.

Apparently, though yurts are also mingling with the upper crust, the occupyees, the 1%, as it were. This year a $75,000 designer yurt made its way into the Neiman Marcus Christmas Catalog. Now lest you think this is puer consumerist greed, $5,000 of that price tag is a donation made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, apparently in keeping with a theme of making wishes come true.

But overall, it’s pretty luxurious since the Neiman Marcus yurt appears to be designed as a kind of novelty, hang-out spot, an upscale gazebo or party tent.

From the catalog:

Ever wish you could cross your arms, bat your eyes, and escape to a serene place all your own? Well, your wish is our command. Our “Dream Folly” is inspired by the classic 1960s TV show I Dream of Jeannie.
…The structure consists of a mixed-grain interior lattice system, a Sunbrella® exterior lining, and a plexiglass door and dome. The roof is made from vinyl-coated polyester with an acrylic top coat for extra durability. But it’s the interior that goes beyond your wildest, most decadent dreams. Let’s start with the pièces de résistance: a bevy of one-of-a-kind, down-filled pillows from renowned designer Rebecca Vizard.
…In addition to the pillows, Vizard designed every detail of this space and selected colors to evoke the bubbles of a warm, soothing bath. The room’s other noteworthy embellishments include linen wall coverings by Coleman Taylor Handpainted Textiles in Montgomery, Alabama, and a custom, handcrafted crystal chandelier from New Orleans-based Julie Neill Designs.
…Simply ask for this dream getaway, and we’ll have it installed on your estate grounds in the blink of an eye. For every retreat sold, Neiman Marcus will donate $5,000 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The “Dream Folly” stands 12’5″ tall with an 18′ diameter.

Well I’ll certainly think about where to install it on my estate! Now, maybe Kazakhstani will stop feeling ashamed about yurts and open a tourist company where I can go sleep in one!

]]> http://www.kzblog.net/2011/12/05/yurts-are-high-fashion-and-slum-fashion-too/feed/ 2 Help Putting Up a Yurthttp://www.kzblog.net/2010/04/28/help-putting-up-a-yurt/ http://www.kzblog.net/2010/04/28/help-putting-up-a-yurt/#comments Wed, 28 Apr 2010 07:06:59 +0000 KZBlog http://www.kzblog.net/?p=2787

Roof going on.

Got a comment on my post How to Put Up a Yurt from a woman who has a traditional yurt but doesn’t know what to do next. Anyone feel they can either describe the process well or knows a good source for yurt erecting instructions?

]]> http://www.kzblog.net/2010/04/28/help-putting-up-a-yurt/feed/ 0 My Yurt or Yours?http://www.kzblog.net/2009/12/05/my-yurt-or-yours/ http://www.kzblog.net/2009/12/05/my-yurt-or-yours/#comments Sat, 05 Dec 2009 13:56:00 +0000 KZBlog http://www.kzblog.net/?p=1528 Just in time for the holidays, a new T-shirt. This idea came from my brother so I’ll probably have to give him 50% of the profits from it. A great way to pick up Kazakh women by making your intentions clear. The T-shirt reads, “My yurt or yours?” in Russian and is done in a sports team shirt style–Don’t know why, that’s just how it looked like it should be to me.

Available in a lot of different colors and styles so check out the My Yurt Or Yours page to preview it and to pick up a couple hundred for your friends and relatives for Christmas, New Years, Hanukkah, Kwanza or even Old New Year.

my-yurt-or-yours

]]> http://www.kzblog.net/2009/12/05/my-yurt-or-yours/feed/ 0