I’m trying to decompress this long weekend, and enjoy some time not glued to my computer screen like I usually am. Yesterday I spent the day at my sister’s cottage and we plan on doing the same Monday. Today is going to be filled with chores and errands (including hopefully the pick-up of a table I selected as payment from an advertiser – can’t wait!) and finishing the painting of shelving I took from the cottage last weekend that I was thinking would be awesome shoe storage in my dressing room. Photos to come on both of those eventually. Needless to say I didn’t have much time to get something ready for today and because I don’t want to leave you guys with a post-less Sunday, how about a cool apartment in Madrid I found at Nuevo Estilo. It was built in 1914 and renovated by architect Borja Puras Vázquez de Prada. I love how the details from that period were maintained and the eclectic mix of old-world and modern furnishings creates such a unique, refreshing look.

Happy Friday everyone! It’s Victoria day weekend here and that means getting to someone’s cottage (in my case my little sister’s), eating a ton of hamburgers and drinking our faces off. We Canadians know how to celebrate the first long weekend of summer let me tell ya. Anyhoo, I have a ton of stuff to get done so I can find some time to relax and enjoy the hot weather we’re getting (BRING IT ON!!!!), so before I do that, how about a gorgeous kitchen (etc.) from Natalie of Nest Design Studio (based in Toronto).

I have a FABULOUS reader’s home to share with you today. I adore this one. Dark and dramatic and edgy. And that concrete wall! YESSSSS!

My name is Lucyna Kolodziejska and i am an interior designer from Poland, Gdansk. My web site: www.fabrykawnetrz-fw.pl This is my flat, i live there with my husband Jarek, dog Pele and daughter Nathalie. It is 300 metres by the seaside. I design mostly apartments for private investors, I like to connect old things (etc. doors, old polish oak floor) with new design, also like to connecting very decorative elements with primitive concrete. As you see this in my apartment. (Photos: www.agencjanegatywna.com)

Ashley Capp is a Toronto photographer who has worked for some of my favourite Canadian magazines like Canadian House & Home and Covet Garden. Her photography rocks my world and she has now made it high up on my list of favourite photographers. LOVE!!!!! (And especially loving the first kitchen!!)

We blogged the work of designer Dan Davis a couple of times now (see here and here) and he emailed us recently with photos from his latest projects.

Project 1 – a fun mix of vintage (remained) and antique and classical meets glamour.

Project 2 – The next project is our most compelling before and after story of a residential family room that transformed from an unfocused nightmare to a very contemporary space using a wavy wall composite to make a statement fireplace.

Project 3 – The 3rd space is a home office. The Cooke’s wanted this office to feel like it was connected to their garden. We did a custom drip technique that takes 3 people at once to apply. It was a spanish moss effect on a sunny day. We included architectural artifacts as well to add to the outdoor charm.

Project 4 – The 4th space is actually a home that belonged to the Henry Ford family. The new owners (Cardwell) wanted to keep the historical integrity to the home yet make it their own. We used transitional furnishings and an eclectic mix of art and architectural artifacts that we purchased on buying trips with the client. This home was featured in the Dearborn Symphony Home tour.

Project 5 – Space number 5 is a commercial space. It is for Cutters Editorial. The are an editorial house for editing television commercials. It’s a very creative client and their clients spend many hours in the editing room.

Project 6 – The 6th space was an event we did for the Michigan Design Center’s Celebrations Event. Each showroom asks a designer to do a take on a Celebration, i.e. Christmas, Halloween or an engagement party. Baker Furniture Showroom asked us to do theirs and to not make it a Holiday. We chose to show how you can make the meal an event, so we did this seafood inspired setting and it won 1st prize for “the look people most wanted to recreate in their own home”.