Displaying posts from December, 2013

If there is a heaven on earth then it must be in New Zealand. On a ridge above Matiatia Bay a series of concrete pavilions farewell the setting sun. Rough and monolithic meets soft and luxurious. Manmade meets the beauty of nature. Shelter meets spectacle. If this truly is a slice of paradise then I could sit in the sunken lounge for eternity and drink in the view. Island Retreat by Fearon Hay Architects and Penny Hay.

It’s Friday thankfully, and I have a massive of list of things I need to get done since I have the day off from my day job. I love the holidays, I just hate all the running around. Anyway, I have about 2 minutes to get this post done so please enjoy some lofty eye candy by Italian architect Roberto Murgia.

Hunter Kenihan of design/build firm Indian Summer Investments wrote us to share a recently completed project in the hills of Silver Lake (Los Angeles) where he took a house from the 1920’s down to the studs and rebuilt/expanded and modernized it. Unfortunately he didn’t send before photos but WOW is this a beautiful home! Everything has been updated. I especially love the kitchen – the mix of reclaimed wood and blue cabinets, along with gorgeous dark hardware and subway tiles. YUM! It’s perfectly staged (and photographed) to sell – if it hasn’t already. 🙂

Like a theatre set of brilliant white, this modern extension to a double fronted mews house in Hyde Park, London allows the owners’ pieces to take centre stage. Art Deco meets decadence meets minalism with neoclassical whimsy and luxury. Sinuous and sensual and at times stark. Part folly, part living space, part sculpture. I have a vision of an operatic fat lady in vintage Paco Rabanne and house slippers gliding across a minimalist cube towards a Fornasetti milking stool while warbling Wagnerian lieder and sipping Nespresso. And I mean that is the best possible way! Love it. By Andy Martin Architects.

It’s the final piece of jewelry for a room. The last layer that brings a space to life. It’s an expression of who we are and what we love. It’s the art we put on our walls and one of the most common questions I get asked by friends and readers is “Where do I get affordable art for my walls?”

Arte Limited is an Italian gallery that sells exclusive art prints, photographs and contemporary art at an affordable price.

“All our art is created by the artists we represent. Our artists are credited and own the copyright to their own works. On behalf of our artists we sell their works printed in limited editions that we produce in-house.”

So when Arte Limited approached us to review their prints Kim and I jumped at the chance. We loved what we saw on the website. So much so it was difficult to choose which works we wanted. Decisions made, the prints were sent swiftly and safely to our doors. It was love at first sight when I opened the mailing tube. You’ll have to wait to see what we chose. Our art prints are at the framers. I’ll just say that Kim went down the black and white illustration route and I fell for some super colourful photography. I’ll be sure to pop up pictures when they are up on my walls.

This post is in partnership with Arte Limited.