Displaying posts from December, 2012

I’ve left Sydney and now I’m peeping through the curtains of this house in Caulfield South, Melbourne. Fun, fab, fresh and loaded with vintage treasures. Vibrant colour bouncing off white walls. A wonderfully creative family home. Just what I would expect from a stylist. Wonder if she is having a garage sale before she moves? I don’t only want the house, I want half the contents. Link here while it lasts.

I recently heard from James of McGill Design Group, an architecture and design firm in Toronto. We had blogged their work back in ’08 and ’09, and he wanted to share with us one of their latest projects. This project was a full renovation and addition to a lovely older 5 bedroom home located in Rosedale, one of Toronto’s most prestigious neighbourhoods. The addition was needed to extend and open up the kitchen and family room at the back of the house and also to allow for a more gracious master suite above. McGill Design Group was put to task transforming the previously dark and splintered layout by putting together an architectural plan that would speak to the home’s stately demeanour. Once a new configuration was in place, the addition of beautiful full height paneling and plaster crown moulding helped layer in the traditional architectural details that had been lost in previous renovations to the home. Plum Furniture and Design Solutions decorated the main floor to give it a fresh and colourful feel to match the new open and light filled space. The owners of the home were empty nesters who, instead of downsizing decided to upsizeto their dream home after their kids went off to University. They were ideal clients in that one of them is a prominent local commercial real estate executive so he understood how to empower people to get things done. They trusted us and were decisive which made the process very smooth. What a gorgeous and elegant home – the kitchen is heavenly! Perfect for empty-nesters – no kids to wreck the place!

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.comand PLEASE don’t send closeups of your pet! Thanks!

This is Sumo, my sister’s Yorkie! I was dogsitting this week and thought he looked real sweet on my armchair!
– Justine (Montreal) 

Since Bongo got quite used to his celebrity status following your recent publication of his picture, here he is again, this time on another of his favourite spots: an ancient Bertoia Diamond chair – it may be old, but with a comfy piece of fur, it works just fine 🙂
– Marta (Montreal)

This is Skima, my pet fox, but not really though (she’s an Icelandic Sheepdog). She is a major pillow hog. When she’s not controlling every single centimeter of the bed, this is her favourite place to be, on our old pinstripe sofa, or as we say in Swedish – polkagrissoffa.
– Stella (Stockholm, Sweden)

This is Mini, My chihuahua/yorkie/baby, that my husband and I rescued last year.  She thinks she’s queen and stays in bed long after I wake up. Bed from IKEA, quilt made by my wonderful Nana.
– Samantha

Here are my two beauties Pete and his daughter Lola!
– Randy 

The first is a photo of Cookie, our 6 month old Shih Tzu/Bichon mix rescue puppy. She recently was spayed and has been tolerating her “cone of shame” very well. Normally she prefers to nap on the sofa with a soft blanket, but this day she chose the Ikea Poang chair. I had to snap a picture quickly with my phone before she decided to jump down so the quality isn’t great, but I thought the cone almost looked like a halo around her head and I couldn’t resist sharing. The second is a photo of Cookie lounging on the sofa (pre-surgery). She is adorable, sweet, and clearly has no modesty!
– Becky (Missouri)

This is Lola, my beagle of eleven months old, she loves to sit in this chair, made by artisans in Tlacotalpan Mexico and watch by the window neighborhood.
– Carolina (Xalapa, Mexico)

Clutch the dog. 
– Shamara

This is my little baby. His name is TY which stands for Tiny Yorkie. He is my best friend and he sleeps on my bed, but not always in his, which is on top of mine. And he hates his picture taken. 
-Sherrie 

We’ve moved from Sydney’s northern beaches to the inner city west, Annandale to be precise. A bright and fresh renovation of this Federation era semi but the surprise is in the small backyard. A plunge pool and cabana stepping up the sloping block. Clever. You’ll find me soaking in the pool if you pop round for an open for inspection. Grab me a wine will you? Link here while it lasts.

Welcome to a week of real estate stalking. Yes I dropped down the rabbit hole of real estate listings and came up with all sorts of gems. Big and small, high end and  just within reach (if anything is within reach in Australia’s still inflated housing market). Let’s start with this 1940’s beach house in Avalon, Sydney. Apparently the original owner carried each sandstone block from a nearby quarry. Love the neutral, relaxed vibe. A nice change from the blue and white often associated with beachside living. And if you like the chunky wooden furniture then check out Mark Tuckey‘s website or pop into Mark Tuckey. home. in person at Avalon Beach. Link here while it lasts.