Buildings have a sense of place and time. They relate to where they are, when they are and vice versa. Buildings have a past and a future and the whole complex web winds around the inhabitants and the environment. Architect Chris Dyson and his team take pride in the sense of place of a building whether it is a Georgian reno in Spitalfields, London or a large development in China. What I love about his portfolio the most is his reworking of traditional buildings in a modern way. Taking their past into a future by understanding what they were, are and what they could become. No foisting a purpose or “persona” on them. No bowing or breaking. Just fulfilling and freeing.

I have no uncles. If I did I’d want him to be just like 3rd UNCLE. Ok that was a pretty sappy intro but you must admit it’s a memorable name for a design studio. Toronto based 3rd UNCLE Design create modern spaces that are light, bright and fun. Too many people think minimalism is cold, hard and rigid. Lighten up! Minimalism is about being resourceful, creative, clever. What I wouldn’t give for a soak in that tub!

Clean minimal lines. Beauty in simple form and enjoyment in function. Modern and fabulous. Chris Connell and his design studio are not only interior designers and architects but symbiotically are MAP International, classic contemporary Australian furniture. His spaces are elegant and at ease but as we all know less may be more but it’s also a darn sight more difficult to achieve than more. It is all about well executed details, about making everything look effortless but always about the quality of design. I’ve included some of the design studio’s commercial work too. Those of you familiar with Melbourne’s cafe scene will know and most likely already love these dining spaces.

At last dear readers we turn the final pages of Storage, A House and Garden Book, Melinda Davis, Pantheon Books, New York, 1978. I’m sad to be finished. It was an interesting look at retro rooms that at times didn’t appear all too retro. It just goes to show that good design is timeless (and bad design a giggle many years on). I would truly move into the first home in a heart beat and the second, the bedroom, is spot on for the latest rustic southern European look sweeping blogs and magazines. Even the vintage TV is a hot collector’s item! There is the strangest fireplace that has me shaking my head. I think it’s the gold leaf ceiling and I think I like it! So retro lovers and loathers which ones push your buttons?

Scott Weston emailed with his latest project and as usual he included lots of pictures – before, during and after as well as his amazing presentation models in this case 4 options. Scott always writes the best descriptions of his work so I’ll let him take it away. “I thought you might like to see this jewel box of an apartment that is just 48m2 and was totally gutted and re-built within three months in Paddington, Sydney…

We fly our Contractor/Builder out from Copenhagen to do these type of quality projects as he is much more cost-effective being a jack-of-all-trades and it saves time/money (and he’s a perfectionist!). The tiniest apartment comprising existing entry vestibule, separate bathroom, living room (faces north) with small alcove kitchen and two bedrooms (one functions as an office) that both face east. We removed the wall between kitchen and study, removed the windows in the kitchen, living room and bathroom and replaced with shugg frameless sliding windows to maximise views/light. The whole apartment was gutted and the floor was partially removed and replaced then stained a deep walnut. Walls were chased for electrical and light fittings.

At concept stage we focused on asking the Client to provide a functional list of what their storage and living requirements were so we could assess and start to use these components as the main joinery pieces in the apartment. The main focal point is the ‘magicians box’ or multi-functional joinery unit (hand-painted in dirty mauve) that sits in the kitchen and straddles living room and study which acts as storage unit, light box, pantry, integrated fridge, wardrobe and broom cupboard. Other joinery items are room specific providing specific storage requirements with quirky details such as tangerine internal carcasses to otherwise bone white storage cupboards. Lighting is either plaster uplights, lightboxes, LED strip lighting or the hero piece in the living room the George Nelson bubble pendant that is dimmable. The kitchen benchtop is mauve (dirty mauve) with timber carcasses below and overhead cupboards with matching glass splashbacks. We designed a banquette that sits under the northern window that you can lounge on with pullout drawers underneath for added storage. The fabric seat is aubergine wool with fine pink embroidery as a detail. The bathroom is off white with translucent pink glass mosaics and matching pink epoxy grout and mirror cabinets for maximum storage. The Client is thrilled and I went shopping yesterday with them to purchase the all important Missoni bathroom towels and the french bedlinen as we are designing a chocolate brown velvet fitted bedspread! This project is a great exercise in not upgrading and moving to a bigger place but staying put, purging all the stuff you have collected and no longer need and allowing us to provide a truly beautiful design environment in which to reside.”

And now the befores and durings. What a transformation! What a job! What an apartment! Such clever spatial planning and beautiful bespoke cabinetry. Thanks Scott. Your work is always so inspiring.