I’m not sure which I prefer – this structure, the pool, or the fact that this is in Mexico. Architecture by Cadaval & Solà-Morales. Tepoztlán is a small town nestled between rocky cliffs located to the South of Mexico City. Located in this incredible context and surrounded by an astonishing landscape, the Tepoztlán Lounge is the first building completed of a larger project that includes a series of bungalows of different sizes and designs, which can be rented by years, months or days. The lounge is set to be a central communal space for leisure in nature, and is located in the perimeter of a stunning lawn. The project is a balance between interior and exterior, a construction of an in-between condition, an inhabitable threshold, which becomes the main space of the project; the limits between the open and the contained space merge to produce a single architectural entity.

The design establishes three separate living quarters designed in accordance to the three intended uses of the space. The first holds an open bar with a kitchenette, together with restrooms and dressing rooms; the second is a play area for children that can also be used as a reading room when temperatures drop at night; and finally the largest container is the living area – an enclosed, tempered and comfortable space for conversation, TV, etc. 

While the three built containers give continuity to the central space by means of their use and space, the adjacent patios qualify it, while providing diversity and idiosyncrasy to open space. The design of the swimming pool is part of this same intervention, and responds to the desire to characterize the spaces. Its formalization resonates with the layout of the lounge, while incorporating by its nature the possibility of a multiplicity of ways of using water.

Architect on Site: Eugenio Eraña. Collaborators: Tomas Clara, Manuel Tojal. Structural Engineer: Ricardo Camacho Photos: Diego Berruecos, Sandra Pereznieto

Comfy and casual, with lots of vintage pieces in this remodeled cottage by London-based interior design firm ALL & NXTHING. This was a big passion project for us, an old wreck nestled in awesome De Beauvoir, Hackney. We took a tired 1890’s cottage and re designed every inch of it utilising its beautiful original bones and adding to its character. Highlights include the double height bathroom with exposed brick and bateau tub and the extended open plan kitchen with exposed beams, concrete floors, log burner and our bespoke kitchen design incorporating Terrazzo and reclaimed parquet worktops. 

A modern batcave is what local Ottawa designer Henrietta Southam has dubbed this project of hers. I LOVE when a theme is carried throughout a home, and in this case it’s dark, dark, DARK! (Oh and brass accents baby!) The drama is real folks. Also to note is that all the ceilings are painted out dark as well. Because if you’re going to do it, do it right! P.S. The kitchen tumbling block patterned tile is what I almost used for my foyer/kitchen floor before  settled on black/white hex.

Photos: Marc Fowler. And in case you missed Henrietta’s home last week, it’s here.

Here is how you take a mansion (I will take any mansion, any time) and make it look absolutely fabulous without it being ostentatious. A casual beachfront beauty where art is key, located in Watch Hill, Rhode Island designed/architected by Giancarlo Valle.

Photos: Stephen Kent Johnson

I spotted this Copenhagen apartment on Skönahem and had to share because it features some of my favourite things, like bold graphic artwork and an eclectic mix of antique and mid-century furnishings. And that bedroom is so sooooooooo pretty.