Christiana Coop and Aimee Lagos of Hygge & West have presented their first book, Hygge & West Home: Design for a Cozy Life (Chronicle Books), which shows how to transform 21 cabins, townhouses, bungalows, and barns, into proper homes.

Included in the book is the intriguing subject of the “Spaceship House” of La Selva Beach, California, which was built between 1969 and 1972 by landscape architect, Mary Gordon. The 700-square-foot unusual home sits in the middle of a colorful garden and with a view of the Pacific just beyond.

“A lot of work went into picking plants and landscaping … picking the colors, [deciding] how the plants would grow,” artist and designer Angelina Rennell, who lives there part-time with her family, told Vogue. “There’s a sense of minimalism and restraint, but the garden is also unusual, and really out there.”

The house is filled with curvy walls, concrete flooring, and plenty of quirkiness. “My vision in all my spaces is to slowly, over a lifetime, get rid of things I don’t like and replace them with ones I love,” Rennell says in Hygge & West Home. Meanwhile, when the house was purchased in 2013 by her mother, “it was barely livable.” Rather, it was considered a kind of passion project. “Every wall, every window, almost every inch needed to be replaced or restored.”

Rennell had always had a fascination for houses and architecture and explained, “The first house that I remember, and still dream about all the time, was nestled up on a hilltop.” She said, When you were there it was as if you were way out in the country, but in reality, you weren’t … and it was all decks and windows.”

Over the next two years after purchasing the home, the space was made livable, and there are “little nooks and crannies and spaces that bring your eye out.” With plenty of windows, moreover, the house gets plenty of air, and there is a generous space so as not to feel overcrowded.

Hiking may be a dream for many, but easily becomes dread while you attempt it! Also, all the gears and gadgets can leave any beginner confused. But you won’t need any if you prepare your body with proper bodyweight training. You don’t need to hit the gym either! Be trail-ready with these following simple yet efficient bodyweight exercises at your home.

Single-Leg Glute Bridges

Single-leg glute bridges target the hamstrings and the glutes, and help you to prepare for steep climbing on your terrain. The exercise needs 3 sets and 10 reps for each side.

1. Lie down straight by putting your arms at two sides with palms down.

2. Bend one leg and place the foot flat in front of your buttocks. Now raise and extend the other leg straight ahead.

3. Drive through the flat foot heel and raise your hips high. Squeeze the glutes in process. Slowly lower your hips return to the previous position.

4. Complete all 10 reps with one leg raised before switching to the other.

Hip Hinge

This exercise will toughen your posterior chain. Your hips will be better trained to carry weights more effectively. The exercise needs 3 sets and 15 reps.

1. Stand on your feet, shoulder-width apart. Slightly bend your knees.

2. Hinge and push your hips backward. Your tailbone should face the ceiling and the naval should face the ground. A slight pull should be felt through the back of the legs.

3. Stand up tall while squeezing the glutes.

Push-Ups

There is nothing like the good-old push-ups! It strengthens your shoulders, chest, and back. As a result, your strength on trekking trip will increase, making you far better in scrambling. This bodyweight exercise needs 3 sets and 10-15 reps.

1. Begin with the plank position. Put your hands beneath your shoulders and curl your toes under. Keep your back, legs, and arms straight.

2. Bend and lower your elbows. Keep your hips and back in a line.

3. Straighten both your arms at the same time, and push them up until they are fully extended.