I love the portfolio of architect Barbara Weiss’ London-based firm. Modern spaces without being too modern…all white spaces without being too stark. Perfect in their simplicity and timelessness, with some really great lighting thrown in for a bit of that wow factor.

The following photos photographer Michael Wells’ portfolio are so outstanding I can’t decide which is my favourite. It could be the first photo because of those gorgeous white chairs. Or maybe the second because of the bold wall colour choice. Or maybe the last photo because I’ve always had a thing for a bright white kitchen. Or maybe….

Michele wrote in the other day looking for a bit of help: “After much negotiation (and compromise on my part) my husband got the leather couch of his dreams, but I am finding it hard to find inspiration on the web for how to decorate around a dark leather couch in order to make the room look fresh and light as opposed to looking like a men’s club or cigar lounge. Perhaps I am asking for too much. I noticed you don’t have a “Leather” category so I was wondering if I could give you a nudge because I could really use the help!”. Here is a photo Michele sent in which I was pretty relieved to see because at least the couch has clean lines.

I went through my photo stash and came up with some dark leather (and fabric) couches in living rooms that hopefully can provide inspiration to Michele and anyone else out there who was convinced by their significant other to jump on the leather couch bandwagon. I’m seeing a spicy colour on the wall behind the sofa, with jewel toned pillows, a beige with brown spotted cowhide rug and a mid-brown (teakish) wood coffee table, or glass. It’s not as difficult as you may think.

Jason Loucas	Kelly Wearstler
Domino	Homes & Gardens
Sköna hem	Dixcot Locations
Annette English	BNODesign
Burnham Design	Tim Beddow
Zownir Locations	House and Garden

I’ve been saying for ages now that I’d love to learn how to take better photos. Well, doing research for this blog and coming across so many fantastic photographers’ websites isn’t helping. My spare time is down to almost nothing – so taking a photography course is not in my near future. In the meantime I’ll drool over portfolios such as Nick Bowers and dream some more.

Tate has decided to become a cherished member of the desire to inspire sponsor family, so I’d like to introduce you to his blog, Strange Closets, and welcome him with a great big kiss…but he’ll just have to settle for this post.

I love Tate’s “About Me” section on his blog so I think it’s a perfect introduction: “I’m a native Chicago thirtysomething guy (more Timothy Busfield than Ken Olin, unfortunately). In my dreams, I’m a world-renown taste-maker, sought after for public appearances and too busy with my successful blog to take on any new clients. In real life, I discovered my passion for design while rehabbing a 2 flat in Chicago. For some reason, whether adding a staircase or expanding the kitchen, the result always seems to be Strange Closets.”

Here’s a bit about Tate’s blog in his own words: “It’s Chicago-based but I’m looking for photos of readers ideas, room makeovers, favorite stores, etc. from around the world. I’d like to maintain a Chicago focus for the readers here but to open it up a bit and let other readers introduce Chicagoans to the great design they or their community have to offer.”

I just spent way too long on his blog, and LOVE to see the progress on his home. So do go check it out. And because we are all about photos on this blog, I thought I’d share a few from Tate’s blog of some of his home renovations, which blew me away.