Got a problem? Need some help? Just standing there shaking your head? Don’t know what to do? You’re not alone. Send us a link to photos of your design quandary and let the Desire to Inspire design crew help you…. that’s you lot… the readers! This week’s problem is from Kylie.

Help me I can’t take it anymore! I hate my kitchen and the family room is just BLAH. We live in a rental and I can’t paint the walls or damage the kitchen in any way (the landlord’s words not mine). The furniture is all hand me downs and the room is where the two older kids do their homework while I get dinner ready. We like to keep an eye on their computer activity as well. My youngest uses it as a playroom. I don’t have much money to spend. I really need your help. I want something light and bright and beachy. Can I do beachy in a room like this?

It’s in the air. A promise. A promise that winter is over and spring is here. I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than to share the work of interior designer Allison Bloom of Dehn Bloom Design. Liveable and lovely, neutral with flashes of colour through accessories, texture on texture and loads of natural light. Fresh and fabulous just like the coming season.

Photography by John Merkl.

I’ve booked a table. The one outside under the tree. Food and wine and good company and a heavenly setting. The vineyard, the restaurant and tasting room in a converted farm cottage. Maison Estate at Franschhoek in the Valley of the Huguenots in South Africa. I don’t think it can get any better.

A tiny 1840 colonial terrace in Darlinghurst, Sydney. All that wonderful old sandstone. I just want to run my fingers across its rough hewn surface. My love of old houses continues and I always squeal when I find an old beauty when I’m real estate stalking. And the interiors? In my fantasy (there is always a story that I concoct about the unknown sellers) the house is cool bachelor pad. Rough hewn and a little retro with golden brown tones and an intriguing history. The house. I’m talking about the house. The bachelor? Hmmm…… Link here while it lasts.

Young, edgy, now. Architect Emma Templeton and her design team at Templeton create beautiful, functional designs, exquisite in their simple beauty. Where Oz design is now and setting the bar high for design to come. Short listed for the 2012 IDEA awards in the single residence category Templeton is definitely making waves with their calm, contemporary spaces.