… it’s me again. I wrote to you in 2007 about an apartment I wanted to buy. You couldn’t help me then but I’ve heard that it is back on the market again. It’s been redecorated and beautifully appointed and it’s just gorgeous and its owner Karen emailed to let me know that if you say yes it could be mine (or some other incredibly lucky person). Here’s what Karen had to say. “Craigston was built in 1927 and this apartment takes up the whole top floor of the building. This was one of the first high rise buildings in Brisbane and was built as a residence for doctors as it is part of the medical precinct in Brisbane. The floors are crow’s ash which is a now rare rainforest wood. I know this will be surprising but I live in this five bedroom apartment alone! I’m spoiled for space but that’s a good thing because there’s room to indulge my passion for collecting antiques.” Please Mr Bank Manager! Please!

P.S. If your bank manager says yes you can contact Karen here.

Happy Thanksgiving to our readers in the States and Happy Thursday to everyone else! Today I’m giving thanks for the American creative spirit. Conceptual installation artist J. Morgan Puett began her career in fashion design (and garnered acclaim for her art installation meets retail concept stores) until in 1997 she created the artists’ colony Mildred’s Lane. Decay and chaos blend seamlessly with beauty and considered collections. Referencing the past it is a living working art installation. (Images from J. Morgan Puett and The New York Times.)

It’s a daydream of mine. Live in a designer showroom after hours. When the clients and staff go home I’d pop out of my hiding place, put on some music, dim the lights and live in my perfect “home”. Imagine living in Dan Marty’s showroom. I could be very comfortable here. Dan, a talented L.A. interior designer travels the world bringing home exquisite pieces that he displays in “rooms”. A line of chairs against a wall, a wall of fabric samples, a big box store mentality just doesn’t cut it here. The clever Mr Marty knows that his clients can’t resist a flawlessly arranged room filled with treasure after treasure.  Spaces like these are overflowing with inspiration.

Ah Sydney! Brash and loud, young and vibrant, nouveau rich and tacky tacky tacky…. or so the gossip goes. (I’m from Brisbane so I’d never say such things about Sydney, honestly). No Sydney is an oasis of style, a retreat. It may be in your face at times (hey it’s always fun) but you’ll find lush cool gems like this Paddington house just waiting to refresh your spirit. Here while the link lasts.

Ah Melbourne! Stuffy, old fashioned, dreary and old money, tasteful and condescending. No I swear that’s not true! I promise. We don’t think that way at all up here in the tropics. It’s home to new design and new ideas. Sometimes a great sense of style and an old money suburb (South Yarra) can combine in a modern way. Luxury referencing the past but living in the present. (Here while the link lasts.) The moral of the story? Don’t believe the stereotypes.

… summer is here. Phew it’s hot!

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?

• A touch of the exotic, a sizzling statement piece, Bollywood for your trans global palace. My head is spinning with ideas for the perfect place for one of these Indian metallic furniture pieces. Go all the way with an OTT room or just one jewel to catch your eye. Indian furniture from Modani.

• Modern design with a timeless material. Belgian architect Gaëtan Van de Wyer has designed this range of water hyacinth, rattan and bamboo furniture for Onyx. Love the Double Arm Chair with its sinuous lines. Renewable materials and great design…. winner!

• Loving these indigo cloth pillows from Fabricadabra.  I see canvas and linen slipcovered chairs and divans, the natural indigo dyes of these fabrics from Ghana, West Africa, lots of aged and bleached wood with global chic collections – think tribal masks and coral and amber beads. If indigo is not your thing then there are ikats galore and stunning suzanis. Fabricadabra is by Donna Halloran and all available online.

• Texture and pattern, graphic shapes and colors printed on natural grounds, casual cotton canvas to luxurious woven 100% linen. Studio Bon by Bonnee Sharp is new collection of sophisticated hand-printed fabrics from Schumacher.

• Have you met Miss Jones? I’m going to have to make her acquaintance soon. Look at these beautifully quirky white bone china and pottery pieces. Love love love.