This week’s real estate stalking sees me drooling over 4 storey Victorian mansion in St Kilda West, Melbourne. The house offers approximately 100 sqs of internal living, 6+ bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and magnificent formal and informal living zones retaining many original features – their words not mine. Located opposite St Kilda Pier and the beach and only a minute’s walk from Fitzroy and Acland Street. Stop it! I can’t take any more! But no they torture me with not only a vine covered facade but  the most amazing contemporary art collection. House vs gallery? There is no competition. If I had my way a house would always be a gallery as well. Link here while it lasts.

Themed kid’s rooms? Yay or nay? I would normally say nay. That was until today. Kansas based stylist Kate Dixon changed my mind with her amazing vintage circus room. No clichéd, tacky home-makeover-show nightmare. Kate and her team at Artistic Living Spaces create whimsical spaces that are also functional and so much fun! Look at that rug! And that bed! And the ferris wheel! And the chalkboard wall! And the height chart disguised as a game of strength. It’s all so clever, so stylish, so hip. I want to be a kid again. I’d be so cool in this room! You can follow the whole process on Kate’s blog.

Bruce Stafford Architects. Clean contemporary Australian style (although Bruce himself is originally from South Africa and responsible for that dream boutique African hotel Singita). Minimal but still sensual and always in tune with how a family leads a modern life. Inside flows freely to the out and public spaces are just as much about decks and pools as living rooms and kitchens. Garden glimpses through unexpected window placement. Celebrations of sloping sites and rough hewn rock walls. It’s light, bright, open yet private.

A new week here on DTI. A new week with so much promise. Let’s start with a photographer with a stellar portfolio. Alexander van Berge takes a space and captures its personality. These are not stilted “architectural” photographs. They explore the “life” and the beauty of the room. Owners have just moved out of shot and van Berge invites us into the space. So much to love in these rooms.

… the roof was rotten. On to the next house.

WINKS – weekend links. Here we list what has come in during the week, things we’ve found and things we think you’ll want to see. If you’d like to see your blog or website featured email us and if we think it fits with our readers we’ll link you. So what’s in this week?

• Sleek Identity – just launched an online boutique offering modern furniture and home accessories from up-and-coming designers from Europe. Stefanie Gelinas has personally scoured all of the artist studios from Berlin to Amsterdam to Paris to bring together new and independent designer’s wares. Stephanie told us “I search for objects that are original, intelligent and have a sense of humor and I buy directly from designers or small manufacturers.” Love the Lampe Vapeur by Inge Sempe, Big Game’s Bold Chair and Thomas Edison Alva Tea Set wall sculpture/coat hangers from a young design group from Berlin, llot llov. Oh and so many more. It’s plain to see the passion Stephanie has for independent design. Love!

• I love the ritual of a good breakfast and I think I need a set of these cork trivets/coasters called Toast It! by Patricia Naves of the Brazilian Design Studio OITI. Humour, tea and toast. What a way to start the day 🙂

• Art Syndicate is an online art gallery promoting young designers particularly from Poland. Michał Chełpiński turns his focus on furniture, ceramics, glass, lights, carpets and original art. Fresh modern design. Covet it all, add it to your wishlist, it’s dream design.

• You don’t have much time but until Monday 10th May if you order any current posters from Ink+Wit they will include their popular letterpress print Pommebirds for free. Fab prints. Young, vibrant, fresh and fun. Yum!

• Lovin’ the reuse, retro/modern vibe of indie furniture maker Anderson Modern. Jacob’s pieces are a cross between brutalism and minimalism, throw in a shake or two of Shaker influences and you get the idea.