Displaying posts from January, 2013

This North Fitzroy, Melbourne extension is unapologetically new. The original house is Edwardian era but the contemporary double height addition with an emphasis on glass allows the light to filter into the space, opening out and extending the spaces. (Love the ribbon of louvers that repeats around the house.) The loft bedroom looks down on kitchen, dining and living areas that focus on the rawness of the building materials to provide interest and stimulation. Unique, functional, elegantly spare. By AM. Architecture.

Melbourne based AM. Architecture creates buildings of their time and yet timeless. There is a calmness and a simple presence to their work. Form and functional not flashy and fake. That doesn’t mean drab and cookie cutter either. This Hawthorn house is a case point. The existing Victorian era home was restored and freed from generations of fragmented renovations while the new extension took the house into the 21st century and provided a focus for open plan family living with a strong connection to the outdoors. Love the strong linear connection between the walk in pantry, kitchen bench that transforms into dining table.

We heard from London-based interior designer Jason MacLean the other day, whose latest project is FAB-U-LOUS, and an incredible transformation. It is located in Earls Court, London and was originally a blacksmiths workshop. By the looks of it from the before photos it appears this was a serious undertaking! The kitchen, fixtures and fittings were made by Jason on site. Whoa. That kitchen is gorgeous and I am totally in love with the light fixtures. Jason has knocked another one out of the park. (See previous posts of his work here, here and here).

Gaia sent in some photos of her home in Bologna, Italy that I had to share. She’s got alot of creative touches going on and is really proud of the all decorating she’s done herself (as she should be – it’s a beautiful home!) but she mentioned her husband thinks it sucks. Oh really now? I don’t think he has any idea what he’s talking about, and should SHUT UP. 🙂

And as a bonus that brought back so many memories of my childhood (unbeknownst to Gaia), she added this photo of one of my favourite Italian treats, sfrappole (or crostoli as my family called it). It’s so light and scrumptious and I haven’t had it in years. 

Not the view from the window but the view in the window. Pretty and dare I say practical… that is if your view is less than inspiring. Beautiful shot by Julia Hoersch.