Displaying posts from April, 2011

Gérard Faivre Paris creates entirely renovated, decorated and furnished prestigious apartments and properties for sale…”LIVE AT HOME LIKE IN A 5 STAR HOTEL” is the vision. Le Mas des Isords is one of these properties, a 7 bedroom 7 bathroom meticulously restored 18th-century mas (traditional Provençal farmhouse), complete with the latest amenities including stainless-steel gourmet kitchen with appliances by Boffi, fully equipped 12-seat movie theatre, lap pool, stables, grounds designed by landscape architect Xavier Loup…. Gérard Faivre has completely metamorphosised a beautiful but neglected mas into a residence where his modern touch refrains from being excessive and which respects the architectural tradition of this truly incredible property. It’s a slice of posh heaven I’d say.

I am stricken, yes stricken, with love for this 18th century half-timber house hidden in the dunes and marshes of the Vistula River down on the Baltic Sea coast of Poland. 3 apartments contained within an historic building. Old and new, history and the stylishly comfortable here and now. I just can’t come up with the right words to describe this house. Nothing seems worthy enough. I speechless (or should I say rambling). I wouldn’t want to leave this holiday lodge.  Salvinia Lodge. That’s the name of my new home. I’ll be renting it forever and I’ll expect you to join me soon. Tomorrow I’ll introduce you to the architects.

I would LOVE to plan a trip to Europe one day. I went once to Italy when I was 4 to visit family (my mom is Italian). That is the extent of my European travels. SAD. Of course I’d have to visit Italy, but now it looks like I’d definitively have to plan a trip to Paris too, and stay at the new (opened Jan 2011) 4-star hotel called La Belle Juliette. It’s located in central Paris, a short walk from Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Jardin du Luxembourg where the world of fashion meets Paris’ most luxurious boutiques. It’s chic yet cozy, luxurious yet refined, thank to the decor prowess of Anne Gelbard, the Parisian expert of “home couture” and architecture by Vincent Bastie. I think I’m in love! (Thanks for the link Alain! Photos by Jerome d’Almeida)

Couldn’t wait to show you this reader’s home. This style of house is common in my part of the world but they are seldom as cute as this fabulous family home. Amy emailed with pictures when the call went out for Bris Vegas houses for a Sydney stylist to snap. Amy’s place would have been perfect except for one thing… she has just sold it and moved on to her next renovation project. How sweet is this house and I love the decking in the garden with its sea of grass and boat! Amy included some before photos too so you can see what she started with. (If you have a house in the Brisbane area you want to our stylist to consider you can email here.)

If you haven’t entered already head over to our Freedom giveaway. $750 voucher first prize and second prize of a $250 voucher ain’t so shabby either. Our Aussie and Kiwi readers can enter here where you will also find all the details. Good luck!