I am completely mesmerized by the photo above. Enjoy it and many other spaces by British designer Gavin Houghton – known for his bold combinations of both the modern and what is a quintessentially English layered style. Creating for clients’ practical houses that are clever and individual, yet soft, romantic with real charm.

After renovating and moving into a small farmhouse, a young family of five decided to transform the century-old stone barn and silo complex on their property into their new home. The main floor of the barn features very large vertical public spaces, finished in reclaimed wood and field stone. The three levels of the barn are connected by the silo which, repurposed for vertical circulation, contains an industrial, spiral stair. Fusing the aesthetics of both husband and wife was challenging, but ultimately led to the modern-rustic feel.
WOW, to live among all of that wood and stone. Being one with nature like that must be so comforting and serene. A gorgeous renovation by NYC based Cicognani Kalla Architect.

Today I’m sharing a gorgeous manor house located in Tarbes, near Lourdes, France. Restored in 2005 with approximately 600m² of living space, a caretaker’s house 250m², garage and 5 acres of parkland. The main house comprises 3 drawing rooms, 2 dining rooms, fully equipped kitchen, 3 offices, wash room, 2 dressing rooms, 7 bedrooms and 5 bath or shower rooms and 2 terraces on the first floor with jacuzzi and a fountain. The caretaker’s house includes 2 sitting rooms, kitchen, 6 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and basement and the garage has a work shop and possibility for 6 cars. The style of this home is unique and almost chalet-like. This would be so fun to get my hands on! If only I had a spare 2.3M USD. For sale via Le Figaro Properties.

The landscaping of this home in the Sydney suburb of Haberfield is lush and contemporary and has everything you could possibly want to enjoy the lovely weather those Australia get 364 days a year ;). Now I’m going to be dreaming and scheming how I can get myself a steel pond. Designed by Fieldwork Associates. (Photos: Jessica Harris)

Milan-based Hannes Peer Architecture is quintessentially European and the attention to detail and gorgeous selection of furnishings and finishes puts them high up on my list of favourite firms.
The constant theme is the search for eclecticism as well as high quality in the design at all scales through the study of the close relationship between architecture, historical context and new technologies mediating between craftsmanship and industrial production. The language used in the design is stratified and eclectic, uniting poetic vision and rigorous design. The studio’s projects are recognizable by their strong iconographic identity, based upon continuous research on colours and materials and the contamination between the various contemporary languages. The style is a mix of traditional and contemporary, the overlapping of different styles, highlighting the respect for historical elements, including and superimposing contemporary elements, giving the whole project a sense of eclecticism and uniqueness. The projects are sophisticated also in terms of materials. This has much to do with the richness of the palette of elements that are used, such as silk rugs, oxidised metals, aged timbers, surfaces with different transparencies, textural surfaces, etc. The opulence of these textures mixed with the drama of the natural lighting imbue the space with a sense of theatre. The lusciousness of the textures and the theatrical nature of the space undoubtedly carry the stamp of a deeply Italian architectural and decorative research.