Mirrors. They reflect light. They increase the sense of space in a room. They can mess with your mind… in a good way in the case of the “invisible” pillar in this top floor apartment in Plaça Catalunya in the centre of Barcelona. The renovation by Nook Architects uses “contemporary and warm finishes (to) highlight the original envelope, which is only altered to bring back a spirit more honest to the building’s tectonics and to allow it to evolve to today’s standard of comfort and living style.” In other words stylish modern living in an amazing old building in a great location. Perfect.

Photography by Yago Partal

Nicola Broughton is a friend of mine on Instagram (@the_girl_with_the_green_sofa). She is a mum to 2 boys Jack and Alfie, lives in Yorkshire, England, is an Investment Director, is a lover of interior design and is now a blogger. And she is the Queen of Maximalism!!! Nicola loves art, wallpaper, colour, patterns, fake plants, refinishing furniture, dark walls, and her made.com green sofa. Her home is cozy, inviting, family-friendly, fun, functional and total eye-candy. Love her home and love her. Thanks so much for wanting to reciprocate the favour and share your home with my readers Nicola! (Check out her post on my home here).

When the location is this amazing and the view is to die for, when the house is simple in its bones and that’s a good thing, when all you want is a place to gather and make wonderful family holiday memories then this might just be the house for you. The house is on the Costa Brava in Spain and the sympathetic restoration and renovation by Nook Architects allows the house to remain true to its traditional, mediterranean origins while providing a stylish, contemporary living space.

Photography by Marcela Grassi

If you would like to participate in the Monday’s pets on furniture series please send photos, your name, location and a brief description to kim[at]desiretoinspire[dot]net, or hashtag your photos on Instagram with #DTIpetsonfurniture. Thanks!

Attached please find a picture of Chubby.  He is a Sphynx rescue from our local shelter. Chubby lives in Morgan Hill, CA which is the southern tip of Silicon Valley here in Northern, CA. I don’t know how old Chubby is…probably around 5-ish. He loves to Sun himself on my beautiful chair. It is his throne.
– Mary

I am attaching a pic of my lil girl Amy – who just doesn’t wanna get up on these cold winter mornings. (she is sleeping with my slipper).
– Sue (country Western Australia)

Today I’m stalking two apartments in Sydney. The first, in the suburb of Alexandria, is in an award-winning block designed by SJB Architects. Quite honestly I want to move right in but only if they throw the furniture and art in as well 😉 Love the detail in the countertop and splashback in the kitchen, love how there is a cupboard for everything and how the master bedroom opens right up to the terrace. Now I just have to find the $1.6 million. Link here while it lasts.