Time stands still

A man with a dream, an obsession, a domestic drama that unfolds through ten rooms over almost 200 years. House as museum, house as living history, house as an unfolding play. Dennis Severs' House, Spitalfields, London. No electricity, no mod cons. It is as if the members of an 18th century merchant family have just stepped out of the room. Half eaten meal, beds still warm, the litter of everyday life. You can read more about the artist who uses his visitor's imagination as his canvas and the friends who keep it going  here.

Miles and miles at Montrose

High on the ridge of Bishopscourt in Cape Town sits a glass pavillion with views to die for.  The house, Montrose, with its slick modern aesthetic is by South African design firm SAOTA - Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects. Like all their work featured here on DTI, finishes and joinery are first class, the pool and grounds a pleasure playground. No curtains, no need for privacy and everywhere the view. For miles and miles ....

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William Waldron, again

You can say we're quite smitten with the photos created by New York photographer William Waldron (yep, uh huh, fo sho). His portfolio always rocks my world. Such cool spaces he has the pleasure of visiting and capturing and sharing. Here are some more for your viewing pleasure. 

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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 (from a camera phone) 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!

This is our puppy Kiwi. Anytime I photograph our home she insists on being in the picture. The first photo is her in her early morning spot atop my favorite plaid blanket which she believes belongs to her. The second was taken in our living room.
- Samantha

Hi! Here is my cute little Parson Russell Terrier randomly chilling on my new storage unit.
- Mette (Telemark, Norway)

This is Moleca, mongrel 7-year-old rescued from the streets. Now she is the queen of the house. Moleca loves the company of pillows made by myself. Every afternoon she takes a nice nap in between.
- Jon, Mariana and Moleca (Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil)

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Craving green

I look out at my garden and I see brown. A long dry winter without a hint of good rain and brutal frosts have seen my garden curl up its roots and almost give up. I cajole and threaten but spring is looking lorn at the new old house. For a little fantasy on a dry brown day I have turned to Sydney landscape designer Anthony Wyer. Verdant green and fantasy shapes. Cloud trees and bamboo, pools and spreading canopies of green. I close my eyes and all is beautiful and lush and green. Aaahhhhhh ......

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