Sometimes the most creative ideas come not from pure inspiration, but from problem solving. Having obstacles and limitations forces innovative thinking that can lead to pure design magic. So, I suspect, was the case when the owners of these structures, from a church to a cow stable, decided to turn them into homes.

Flavorwire compiled a collection of these unusual homes - all are beautiful. I love how each home was designed around the existing elements and keeps the flavor of its former life. There's a famous Chinatown punk club loft with funky red walls and even a cement factory which embraces the industrial feel with looming (and luckily unused) equipment. It's a lovely homage to buildings that have already lived one life and are now home to another generation and purpose.

Check out these and more re-imagined homes at Flavorwire.

(All images via Flavorwire)