This seventeenth-century Venetian palazzo in Campo Santo Stefano, Venice is so beautiful I could cry. Having been stripped of its historic identity over many years, Charles Zana restored the home back to all its fresco, terrazzo and leaded glass window glory and it is magnificent. A contemporary masterpiece it became. (Photos: Matthieu Salvaing)

These days I don’t often feature new build homes as those with history are more my thing but these photos of a model townhome in Markham, Ontario by Kylemore is quite spectacular. Their attention to detail (even in the photo above – check out the curves in the drywall above that stove wall) and the finishes and décor are spectacular. I’d happily move in there with a truck full of antiques and make this work.

The sales listing for this home calls it a hôtel particulier but I think compound is more appropriate because it is surrounded by walls creating a courtyard. And I loooooooove homes designed to create that sense of privacy for an outdoor space. And those arching blue doors to greet you as you enter the compound…..OH LA LA!!! This home really does have such incredible bones that I can very much see past the underwhelming décor and imagine all the things I could do with this. (Quick notes: it was built in 1690, is 450 m² with 15 rooms including 6 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, is located in Semur-en-Auxois – a commune of the Côte-d’Or department in eastern France and is for sale via Capifrance for 550 000 €)

I am essentially rendered speechless over this absolutely spectacular home designed by Sydney-based Duet. The beautiful colours, shapes, textures, attention to detail and a serious case of marble-itis. Modern art deco-esque interior and a really unique and fun exterior make this home a dream.

I tend to make comments about the lack of inspiration, creativity, attention to detail and being able to step outside the box when it comes to design and architecture in this lovely city of Ottawa in which I have resided for my entire existence. And then I come across something like this and I find myself with a glimmer of hope, and my faith is somewhat restored. Congrats to Shean Architects (whose offices are coincidentally located in the ‘hood adjacent to mine) for creating this little piece of brilliance. (Photos: Doublespace Photography, and art in foyer is by a favourite artist of mine – Whitney Lewis-Smith and the dining room portrait is by Andrew Moncrief)