I must admit I’m completely smitten lately with tile exteriors. Of course pair that with another love of mine, expanses of glass through which I can watch nature, and I’m over the edge. Here I think it is the intense contrast that appeals to me, that of weight and weightless, brilliant and dark, protected and vulnerable. That artful balance of opposites was created here in the Armadillo Summer House by architect Sergio Mahkno. Continue reading →

Leave your cares on the shore of the Hunte River in Oldenburg, Germany, and climb aboard the Silver Beaver. This bright and airy house boat is the second designed by architect Flo Florian and designer Sascha Akkermann. They’ve created an enticing loft with beautiful tactile necessities where nature lulls you to sleep. I could spend hours floating along enjoying the view and the pristine casual comfort inside. Continue reading →

It’s difficult to even imagine the state of this late 18th century Italian villa when the restoration, designed by architects Sabrina Bignami and Alessandro Cappelero, began after a 20 year vacancy. So many aspects are daunting and the frescoes lying dormant under a thick coat of white paint would have turned most away. Yet the owner’s decision was not to perform a meticulously accurate restoration but to uncover the hidden beauty and then honor its age and imperfection. Saving the ancient floors was a rewarding labor of love, whether it is the intricate hand painted tile or the herringbone brick. Continue reading →

How do you make a lasting and delicious impression based on modern graffiti and fashion? Architect Sergio Mahkno makes it look easy in this colorful upscale dining establishment in Kiev, Russia. Housed in a windowless space, the architect created brilliant and flexible lighting in several manners. The feature of the day is the light cloud created, on a budget, through the use of hundreds of inexpensive Mason jars turned lights. You can dial up the lights for lunch crowds and dial them down for soft dinner ambiance. Translucent panels mimic windows and their changing colored lights speak to the runway and graffiti covered bridges. Continue reading →

Today’s beautiful interior design gem featuring such a cute name as “The log Cabin”, is located in Australia’s Melbourne and it got fully renovated in as little as three months, something that taken into consideration the dark and run down previous condition of the 70’s timber home, looks like a quite the task to achieve. Not when a construction manager and his interior decorator and stylist wife are involved though. Continue reading →

With Christmas being just a breath away, booking some holidays seems always like a good idea. Have you already made some arrangements and plans? In case your destination happens to be Australia, Orchard keepers situated in Victoria’s Red Hill, just an hour from Melbourne is the ultimate country chic getaway. Continue reading →

Bungalows have a style, charm, and spirit that are hard to recreate. Bungalows of this era were built when families gathered around the dining table and enjoyed the radio program by the fire. And this beauty, like so many others, was limited in size and modern amenities. Enter JAS Design Build to remedy the lack of size and light and bring this charmer in to the 21st century. Continue reading →

It’s hard to believe this family of five’s lakeside retreat has been recreated from a dark and frightening vegetation covered home. In fact, the home owners even considered tearing it down. With their design team, JAS Design Build, they tackled a major renovation that creates a luscious family home. Continue reading →

They say “love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life”. It seems that Irene Martens, the owner of well known and very much loved Sukha shop in Amsterdam has somehow achieved that, since her home and work environments are a continuation of one another, though without them being hosted under the same roof. The kind of life qualities that matter to the home and shop owner are evident through her repeated and consequent choices. Continue reading →

Architect Karin Matz gives new life to what used to be the hay storage of a traditional house located on the small island of Fohr in the north sea. Respecting and cherishing local traditions, she gives a fresh, modern look to the interior of a house built in red bricks, topped with a thatched roof. Such houses really appeal to me, always reminding me of visits to the British countryside and places like Cambridge and Oxford. Do you like them, too? Continue reading →