Casa do conto

A Brazilian reader named Mabel was fortunate enough to spend 4 days last month at this magnificent hotel in Porto, Portugal called Casa do Conto. It is a restored 19th-century bourgeois home that has been modernized and simplified. It is stunning. Shades of grey, white and black, concrete and unembellished walls. I would love to stay a while in a hotel like this, to see how I would feel in an environment this modern and minimal, imagining it as my home. I adore spaces like this but am not quite sure I could live like this long term. In any case, if I ever have the opportunity to visit Porto, I would gladly stay here. :)

Click to read more ...

Yes please

I so want this space as my studio/work room/office. Fine old architectural bones. Tick. Great big window. Tick. Loads of shelving, cool furniture, Achille Castiglioni Taraxacum light (my all time favourite)and a boucherouite rug. Sigh. See more of this amazing house by Undercover Architects here.

Stalking a time capsule

Mix me a martini while I kick off my kitten heels. Bossa nova on the turntable and Bitossi on the shelves. Fabulous for more than 50 years this midcentury dame just needs her make up tidied up, her do back teased and she'll be a smoldering all over again. The North Caulfield, Melbourne house I mean. Not me. Sold hopefully to someone who loves the house not just a developer who wants the block. Link here while it lasts.

Click to read more ...

Hanne Fuglbjerg

I have some simple, beautiful photos from the portfolio of Swedish photographer Hanne Fuglbjerg for you to enjoy. Anyone else want to find a thrift store stool and dip the legs in fluro paint? I'm SO not over this trend yet.

Click to read more ...

Monday's pets on furniture

If you'd like to send me photos to include in next week's "pets on furniture" post, please ensure your photos follow my basic rules: First, the pet must be on a piece of furniture. And said piece of furniture must be clearly visible in the photo, so it takes center stage rather than your pet. Think of it more of a photo of a great piece of furniture that you want to show off...and your pet happens to be sitting on it. And second, the photo must be of decent quality. If it's dark or fuzzy then it may not make the cut. Photos, your name, location and a brief description can be sent to desiretoinspirekim@hotmail.com and PLEASE don't send closeups of your pet! Thanks!

Winslow (6) and Theodore (11 weeks), both golden retrievers, sit together after a romp in the ocean in arch cape, or.  Winslow would never dream of resting on the ground and our new puppy mirrors everything he does!
Big golden and little golden napping on furniture. 
- Emma

Here is a picture of Penelope the almost 2 year old toy poodle sitting on my new-to-me mid-century modern ottoman.  She loves to photo-bomb pictures I take for my blog!
- Sarah (Washington, DC)

Here's Roxie claiming her spot on the antique dresser that my boyfriend and I recently refinished . . . and then re-distressed.
- Andrea (Glen Ellyn, IL)

This is my boy Dooley who didn't mind finding a thrift store accordian on his favorite chair from Ikea, he fell asleep on it anyway. Dooely just passed away this last weekend and is sorely missed.
Here is Bunny sitting on a mid-century chair I got for free from my boss.
- Dana (Tuscon, AZ)

Mini's decided the Cesca chair makes for some good porch naps.
- Heather (Atlanta)

Click to read more ...