Can’t get enough of Australia via New York and now taking Europe by storm photographer Paul Barbera. We’ve sung his praises here and here and now again. A favourite always stays a firm favourite when the portfolio keeps getting better and better. What I like about Paul Barbera’s work is the scope of his portfolio. He easily adapts from style to style as he snaps for different magazines. A great way to start the week.

 … is one talented photographer. I guess I end up saying something like that every time I wax lyrical about a photographer I feature here on the blog. (I wouldn’t be posting work if I didn’t think it was fabulous. That defeats the purpose!) What I really love about Emily Johnston Anderson‘s body of work is the intimacy she manages to capture through her lens. These aren’t snooty, high falootin’, unobtainable sandcastles in the air. These are lovely, achievable, stylish real interiors and lovely, accessible real photos. It’s how I’d want to live. Emily makes it real and makes me want it even more. Oh that and the light is lovely, dreamy. (Emily’s site is undergoing a new site design so I can’t wait to see what new shots go live. In the meantime there is always her blog… great wedding photography!)

Hooked on the rough luxe look? Rustic with industrial, worn with vintage, unfinished fab and imperfectly wonderful. Then Rough Luxe Design by Kahi Lee for The Curated Collection by Farameh Media will have you drooling. I need to get my hands on this book. Rough Luxe Design features the interior designers, furniture purveyors, industrial designers, and trend-setting entrepreneurs leading this future overlays past, raw meets regal movement. Birthday present dear husband of mine? Hint. Hint.

Hanne Borgeyngland Norway Cabin copyright Madeline Söder as published in Rough Luxe Design for The Curated Collection

Bykenyan Accord Home copyright Grace Kelsey as published in Rough Luxe Design for The Curated Collection

Ricardo Bofill copyright Lluis Carbonell as published in Rough Luxe Design for The Curated Collection

Rough Luxe Hotel copyright Marcus Peel as published in Rough Luxe Design for The Curated Collection

Ace Hotel NY copyright Eric Laignel as published in Rough Luxe Design for The Curated Collection

No not in a balaclava but in Balaclava, the Melbourne suburb. A 3 storey timber and block townhouse with a groovy young family vibe. Love the kitchen/dining area. The pops of yellow. The mirror. The rumpus room leading out into a fab courtyard. The casual vibe where everything is laid back but still cool except that brown velvet couch. Don’t get me wrong. I do like a brown velvet couch but… it’s sloppy and slouchy and not at all hipster family cool. Perhaps it is in real life and perhaps it is soooooooo comfy that you would forgive its down at heels, shoulders hunched, hands shoved belligerently in its pilled acrylic cardigan, don’t look at me, it’s not my fault the rest of the room is empty vibe. Yes the living room needs work but with just a little zhushing how cool would this house be! Link here while it lasts.

After we have finished our stay in Le Grotte della Civita we can wind our way up the Italian roads to Abruzzo, to the hill top village of Santo Stephano di Sessanio. To another albergo diffuso, another Sextantio property. Scattered around the village are rooms in sympathetically renovated buildings, their spartan beauty saved from a modern desecration, just enhanced by simplicity and touches of hedonist luxury. Fine sheets, fine bathing, fine food and, of course, fine wine. You’ll find me soaking in the tub by the fire.