I stumbled upon Montreal-based firm Gauvreau Design recently while doing some googling. They seem to specialize more in commercial projects than residential but I had to share, particularly the kitchen in the first few photos. I think it’s brilliant how the stove and fridge are housed in their own built-in sections, and the lighting strip that runs into the hood fan. 

We received the following sweet email the other day from Neil: I wanted to share some new design work with you that my mom and I collaborated on. Mom and I started doing interiors together a few years ago after causally helping one of my friends with her new apartment in Manhattan. We received some word of mouth referrals since then and have been doing projects ever since. I have a full-time job in advertising, but the design business with mom is my true outlet for creativity. And I love that design has had the power to bring my mom and I together as adults. The partnership challenges each of our aesthetics and allows us both to grow and evolve creatively. It’s been an amazing, unexpected journey. Now how cute is that?! Totally made my day. Here are some spaces designed by this mother/son duo as Broder Frauenglass Interiors, including Neil’s own apartment (the first 4). 

I saw this home belonging to Greek collector Alketas Pazis on Yatzer and HAD to share. If I was fortunate enough to set foot in this home you’d very likely have to pick me up off the floor because I would have passed out from SHEER JOY AND BLISS. And then a couple of hours later after I had examined every single inch of this space you’d have to drag me out kicking and screaming. FAB U LOUS. 

My brother-in-law Dave sent me a link to quite an extraordinary chalet the other day, located in the Alps and designed by Parisian designer and interior architect Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance. It’s far from your average cozy, sheepskin-filled chalet and is modern as modern gets. This chalet attempts to be typical with plenty of timber walls but it stops there. And why not?

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 (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!)

This is one of my sons, his name is Lotus.
– Paulo (Brazil)

This is Charlie Bang. He is half Cairn Terrier and half King Charles Cavilier Spainel ( for those who are interested.) He usually sits on the sofa proper, not the back, but that day he was introduced to the vacuum cleaner and was not amused. As he is only 8 months, i am sure he just needs a little time.
– Natasha (Copenhagen, DK)
Maxie on her couch.
– Surrey

Sumo likes to lounge on a leather ottoman that was purchased at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. She skirts the house rule forbidding cats on ikat on a technicality by finding a box of paperwork to lie in.
– Heather (Washington DC)

This is Isis chilling on our carved wooden cabinet. The cabinet stays at foyer and Isis loves to lay down on it watching the entry door.
– Priscila (Curitiba, Brazil)

My two rescue babies Sam and Meggie lounging on the lanai in the papasan, Ahh sunshine…
– Susan (Fort Myers, FL)

I had a few I thought I would send along 😉
– Elizabeth

This is our dog Ollie who has grown up roaming the Italian hills but still likes his home comforts and candlight whilst keeping guard at our front door!
– Lauren (London)