I love revisiting websites of my favourites whether designers, stylists or photographers. It’s the joy of finding new work. I have been away far too long from Sydney photographer Anson Smart. While I featured his work a long, long time ago I’m so glad I stopped by again. OMG! Anson your portfolio is amazing! Fresh and fabulous! Lap it up dear readers. This guy is an international top gun (which is ironic if you read his profile while you’re there).

…. an Australian coin that is. I’ve been real estate stalking again this time in Sydney and came across two stunning homes for sale. Talk about polar opposites! Strangely I’m drawn to both. Which one does it for you? The gothic rock star 70s glam or the minimalist modern with that knock out view? Links here and here while they last.

More Scandinavian design and once again a great demonstration of understanding the site and how a building can relate to its environment. Swedish architectural firm Wingårdhs designed both these houses. Wide walls of glass address the views while private areas provide a warm cocoon. It’s the spectacular and the everyday. Today’s post is also a celebration of great photography. Åke E:son Lindman takes an already impressive design and adds the drama through his clever photography. Not just light or angles or composition it’s his understanding of the architecture itself. Both websites will delight you.

I am so fickle. I flit from one photographer crush to another. What’s a girl (ahem… a middle aged woman) to do when she stumbles upon more fabulous images by a very talented photographer. Meet my new obsession Erik Johnson. You would have seen his work before. He’s shot for all the majors, Martha Stewart, Elle Decor, Southern Accents, Real Simple. Great understanding of how to capture a room and lead you into the photo. Wonderful portfolio.

Aaaawwww so sweet! Let’s start the week with more readers’ pets taking over the furniture. Seems it’s a dog’s life after all. This little cutie is Buzz, a Jackchi from Dublin. His mum Hilary from Blacklashes left a comment on the last doggie post. “No chance of keeping Buzz our off the couch…thankfully its black leather so not much of a problem…I am thankful that I never got the cream fabric one I longed for a while ago!”

Ian just had to share this cute pic.”2 out of 2 of our bull terriers prefer sofa’s to their own beds! 🙂 This is Basil on the sofa!” (And Ian I hope this new blog runs longer than one post…come on I know you can do it!)

Here is the very blissful Coco. Maybe I should say cool as a cucumber Coco. Her owner Nathalie from Apartment20 fills us in on Coco’s look of contentment. “Coco is a Rottweiler and this is her reaction when we turned on the air the first time this summer. Awww Lucky Coco enjoying the cool air!”

Shelly emailed this adorable shot of Lulu with her favourite chew perched jauntily between the bed pillows. What a cute throw pillow she makes herself but Shelly food and on the bed?! You big softy!

Diane’s solution to a dog invasion of the couch was blankets. “This is Murphy and this was taken not too long before he went to doggie heaven.” With a boy that big no wonder he got the couch Diane.

And finally from Melanie (Carolina Cottage), “Two beautiful dogs on one ugly couch…. Meet my 2 American Eskimo dogs – Shiya and Denver. Denver (on the right) rarely hops up on the couch, so this is a rare shot. The room is a work in progress… aren’t they all?” Let’s hear it for the room in progress. I think we all have one of those. Cute dogs are a good starting point for a design scheme.

OK regular programming will resume soon with a great photographer and an amazing portfolio. I might even have a new (or yet another) photographer crush!