Paris-based interior designer Caroline Andréoni is turning dreamy Paris apartments into bold and vivacious spaces with the addition of wallpaper, graphic tile, dark paint colours, modern lighting. Keeping my belief strong that Paris has some of the coolest apartments out there.

My summer will be consumed with landscaping tasks which has me both excited and terrified (given my lack of experience in this area). The inspiration I have been finding online has been incredibly helpful, and one such source is Daniel Shea, an award-winning garden designer from Hertfordshire, England.  Mostly modern outdoor spaces but not at all minimalist and I love that his plantings are kept a bit wild. Bring on summer!

I’m always on the hunt for new art for my home, so I was stoked when the folks from ArtPhotoLimited (a start-up based in France who just launched in the UK) contacted me recently. My absolute favourite medium is photography so this was right up my alley as they offer a wide range of fine art quality photographs in limited editions. The themes of their art are broad – wildlife, movies, vintage, landscape, street, sport, and many more including my favourite – architecture. I selected the photo above for my upcoming living room refresh. It’s a limited edition of 30 titled La lanterne by photographer Strec Gil from Metz, France. I chose 90x60cm and it was sent to me unframed (they offer framing) so off I went to Ikea and chose what ended up being a really terrible quality frame (the Lomviken, but I guess at $35 I deserved a frame that barely stayed together and bowed in the middle, though maybe because I could not use the mat?). It is printed on beautiful pigment baryta paper and I was very pleased with how sharp the photo turned out. I’m excited to get my new sofa and rug and see it all in place. Thanks ArtPhotoLimited!

While on the subject of art, I had to share this absolutely stunning home of painter Aurel Basedow in Lake Como. Aurel’s abstract art is gorgeous in his home, particularly the resin-finished pieces against the chalk?lime? painted walls. (And those hex tile floors!!!) Breathtaking! Via MilK Decoration, photos by Mads Mogensen

This Marin County, California compound takes cottage style living to a whole other level of cool. Commune Design left it dark and “woodsy” and I love that because it adds so much drama and a sense of richness to the home. Add in all of the outdoor hangout spaces and you would definitively be spending your days outdoors enjoying the beautiful weather.

When muted, neutral colours set the stage for something beautiful…

Every inch of this 5,000 square foot farmhouse in Brentwood was approached with muted precision. A stunning art collection, curated by Candace Worth of Worth Art Advisory, drives the design. Every room is a balance of collections: art, antiques, handmade items, modern pieces, and books all thoughtfully layered. Much of the home includes furniture thoughtfully designed and selected by Full Scale Inc. from the owners’ previous Connecticut home. Ken Linsteadt Architects edited the Colonial home down to its purist form, with a natural flow that is neither forced nor complicated. The home is a reflection of the homeowners’ refined taste: restrained yet engaging. A soft, subtle design allows fine details to shine through. By M. Elle Design.