The day is warm but I know the breeze will be rolling in across the sea soon. I push the bifolds back and walk across the deck. Arms stretched out across the rails I arch my aching back and turning, take in the open plan living before me. I can’t believe all this is mine. Subtropical style, sophisticated beach house meets casual, modern living. The dark floor boards ground the white as white walls while dashes of colour pull my eyes here and there. Everything is lovely but nothing is too precious. In the trees outside the cicadas start to hum. There is a scent of summer, gum leaves and sea salt. I close my eyes and smile sadly. It’s all a daydream. I click away from the real estate site I have been stalking and open again the spreadsheet that has been taunting me at work all morning. If you too want to dream about this 1920’s Avalon, Sydney home the link is here.
What do these have in common? A photographer. More than a photographer, a genius with half light and shadows, a magician at capturing mood and modern intimacy. Elegant Swedish spaces without being bright, white and overexposed. Grown up, sophisticated and calm. The photographer is Magnus Mårding. The first apartment is that of illustrator Mats Gustafson, designed by Fernlund + Logan (and just to be complete the shoot was styled by Jacob Hertzell). After the jump another design leader and more rich and moody Swedish rooms.
The Ett Hem boutique hotel designed by Ilse Crawford and photographed by our common thread in this post, Magnus Mårding. The air is heavy with afternoon light slanting through the drapes, the rooms rich and redolent with luxurious layering.
On Friday I blogged one of my favourite types of tiles – the subway tile. Today I thought I’d share my next favourite tile – the penny round. This one is adorable, tiny and subtle yet can have high impact depending on the tile colour/grout colour and placement. It’s often used as bathroom flooring but I think it’s a fun option for a kitchen backsplash as well. I’d love to use this somehow in my next home.
Hotel Saint Cecilia via Jackie Cardonio
A big shout out to South East Queensland readers. Keep the early evening of Thursday 27 September free. Matt Blatt is celebrating their Newstead store opening and I will be there to help. It’s going to be a fun evening with champagne, canapés, gift bags and 15% off in store for the night. (You need to RSVP by 24 September. All the details are just below.)
Just as exciting is that Matt Blatt has kindly given me two of these fabulous chairs for an Australian reader to win as part of the celebrations. Matt Blatt‘s version of this classic Mexican chair is valued at $345 each and perfect for summer! Today is certainly hot in my neck of the woods and I could do with one of these tangy beauties to relax in and catch some rays.
What do you need to do to win these summer time essentials?
OK get going. Time to think up your most creative answers. You can enter as many times as you like before 5.30pm AEST Saturday 6 October 2012.
See you on Thursday night! I’ll be the one with the champagne in one hand, camera in the other, snapping pics, chatting and figuring out what to add to my wish list. Can’t wait to meet you.
CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.
I love subway tiles. Always have, always will. Classic, inexpensive and graphic (and can be made even more graphic with contrasting grout colour). I thought I’d do a post today on what has to be my favourite type of tile. I have one another favourite that is a close second but I’ll save that for Sunday.
Mixr