Christmas cards don't often stray beyond the boundaries of chintz. Even at their best they have a pitifully short life until they end up in the bin in the New Year. Here are some playful creations that we felt deserved a bit more recognition.

We published a conversation between Sam Hecht, co-founder of Industrial Facility, and artist Martin Creed in the December issue of icon. Now you can download a recording of the discussion from iconeye.

Carve out 43 acres of shed, fill it with cash registers, scrape on a thin layer of aesthetic jam and call it an icon. Welcome to the UK's biggest mall, a "five star" environment. William Wiles stares into the abyss.

Following our insight on the state of design in Poland in the January issue, we thought we should probably show you some of the work we saw while we were out there.

A contemporary art institute, a photography centre and a public library have all found a home in the Tenerife Arts Space (TEA) in Santa Cruz by Swiss architect Herzog & De Meuron.

On a quiet residential street in Oporto, alien shapes and intense colours have transformed a family home into a futuristic abode reminiscent of a set from Star Trek.

Canteen, champion of hearty British food and aficionado of mid-century British design, has opened a restaurant on Baker Street in London.

Vienna-based architect Baumschlager & Eberle has designed a boathouse on the edge of a small marina on Lake Constance in Fussach, Austria.

Gallery owner and interior designer Rabih Hage has opened a hotel, Rough Luxe, in King's Cross just next door to his Mews gallery. As the name suggests it has an innovative take on luxury.

Childhood memories shaped Casa Parr by Chilean/Argentinian architects Pezo Von Ellrichshausen. “Our client grew up in this spot but when his mother died, he had the old house demolished,” says Sofia von Ellrichshausen.