I really REALLY love the following home I discovered last night while doing a quick jaunt around the internet. It’s Spanish, built in 1900 and maintains alot of the original architectural detail – the mouldings are to die for! The juxtaposition of these details with the vintage furnishings with a retro vibe is what makes it so appealing to me…and those incredible tile floors. (Via Le Journal de la Maison, photos by Amador Toril)

Today’s reader request is from Nat: I was wondering if you could help me find more inspirational images of kitchens. I want to put butcher block counters throughout my kitchen and don’t know what type of sink to choose: (1) undermount; or (2) drop in. I don’t like the look of drop-ins, but I’m worried that with an undermount sink I run a chance of ruining my counter edges. I’ve read around blogs that this should not be a problem if you seal them properly. But I’m looking for images to convince hubby that this will be worth the extra work. I haven’t had much experience with butcher block (I do LOVE it) but I would guess with a good initial seal and re-sealing as required, you could go with either. I’d had an aversion towards drop-in sinks for a loooong time now but after taking a close look at the photos I found of sinks used with butcher block, I actually think I prefer drop-ins (and those in white ceramic). Perhaps you’ll agree after having a look at the following photos…

design*sponge	Katie Sellers
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Homes & Gardens

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 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)

If you’d like to send us photos to include in next week’s “pets on furniture” post, please ensure your photos follow our 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 (from a camera phone) then it may not make the cut. Thanks! (Photos, your name, location and a brief description can be sent to desiretoinspirekim[@]hotmail[.]com and PLEASE don’t send closeups of your pet!)

1 – Worked so hard to get the baby’s nursery just right, Peepers claims her spot on the modern changing table.
2 – Our new, comfortable accent chair in our living room. So comfy, even Mango squeezes himself onto it.
– Michelle Mudrock (Seattle, WA)

Here’s Cargo on a leather recliner at my aunt and uncle’s house in Moorseville, NC.
– Cody Andrews

Here is my baby Bambi, a rescue pup we think is part dachshund part beagle, lying on the gold couch I inherited from my grandmother with her favorite blankie (from TJ Maxx).
– Gena, Atlanta

A friend discovered this vintage chair  at a tag sale for $12.00, so we brought it home and put it in my studio, and it immediately became the possession of Sushi, the Norwich Terrier.
– Wendy Dreaney

This is my beloved Milo. He is a 3 year old part-Siamese; I adopted him in December 2010. He is napping on my Ikea Poang chair. I got the chair frame for a steal on Craigslist and then purchased a new cushion for it. I’ve also draped an Ikea sheepskin across it. I love the colors in Milo’s fur. I have this silly idea to one day design an entire room with Milo’s coloring as inspiration, including his beautiful blue eyes!

– Christina

I was taking a picture of my finished painted pieces of furniture and my dogs wanted to be a part of it. They are frequently in pictures I take of my house.
– Cheryl (Utah)

Lazy Miss Lexxi, livin’ in the lap of luxury on the leopard love seat.
– Madeline (Huntington Beach, CA)

This is my pet : Martini. He’s almost 2 years old. He is hyperactive and every day I have to convince him that the couch isn’t his bed! lol However, he is a great company!
– Drielly (São Paulo, Brazil)

This is my favorite vintage chair that I just sold on Craigslist. This is my sweet kitten sawyer who damaged by favorite chair that I just posted on Craiglist. Seeing as I had to post a pic of the damage, I thought a picture of the perp might help me make a sale!!
– Laurel (Vancouver, BC)

1. Reese and Guava chilling out on the Leather couch from the “famous” Acton Old Hide House in Canada (quote: “Its worth the drive to Acton”).
2. Guava , my 11 year old Lab/Border Collie mix, taking in some morning sunshine while he watches the kids play outside on the family leather.
3. Reese, my brother’s dashound, also enjoying the sunshine and view. He is smaller but manages to climb up the leather and sit on the back just like a cat.
– Leanna (Georgetown, Ontario)

This is Kofi. He is obviously a bit spoiled.  He spends his days lounging around on a Ligne Roset Togo sofa next to his Foscarini/ Diesel Fork table lamp.  And when he tires of the Togo he has a giant Love Sac to nap on.  And at night goes to bed under a Moooi Rabbit Lamp.  I suppose one of the perks of working at a furniture showroom is that our dog chills in style.
– Leah (Denver, CO)

My two boys – Oliver “Kitty-Man” Garza and the ever lounging Bodhi Boudreaux. Had to use the cell phone since they would have followed me from the room had I gone to get the camera. Its like a parade at my house, up the stairs, down the stairs, with feline and canine at my heels at all times.
– Beverly (Sugar Land, TX)

This is a picture of my cat, Loki. Loki LOVES to sleep with his head on pillows like a human. When I noticed him sleeping on THIS pillow, I knew he had the whole idea right!
– Candice (Grand Rapids, MI)

I also have a couple links to share….a petition for a pitbull who may be put to sleep and a Montreal non-profit, no-kill cat shelter currently located in a rented warehouse in an industrial neighborhood. Recently the building was sold, and the new owner raised the rent by 33%. Unable to pay the new rent, the shelter and the cats are currently facing eviction if they can’t pay the back rent. On top of that, they need to find a new place for the cats within a short amount of time. So if you can help out check out their site HERE.