Love the work of photographer Alexandra Rowley Actually we’ve featured her work here and there on the blog over the past couple of years but now it’s time to shine the spotlight on her extensive portfolio. Her sense of light and clever composition raise her photos to another level. These are truly covetable spaces masterfully captured through her lens. Her work is at times painterly and it’s no surprise that she studied art. Take the time to enjoy her images. It’s a lovely way to start the day.

Guest post from interior designer Jason Martin who has just launched his e-design venture DIY+.

First, I would like to say thank you to everyone who sent in his or her design challenge. I appreciate the time it took to photograph and write about your spaces. It is always enlightening to get a peek into the homes of others. The rooms that I picked to highlight are spaces that represent questions that came from multiple readers so I hope that there will be ideas to help everyone. Just a side note, out of all the entries we received I didn’t see one bedroom! Is that because everyone has a clear idea of how they live in their bedroom or is it that we lead such busy lives the bedroom has become the place we spend the least amount of time?

Week 1. Living/Dining – Two different spaces with similar problems-

Adrena’s Living/Dining

Adrena has a good start but needs help bringing it all together. Like many out there, she has a combined living dining space that is long and narrow. She is having a hard time making the space multifunctional and comfortable at the same time. I think showing Adrena how to complete this space will help others with this dilemma too.

Rali’s House

The design needs in Rali’s living/dining area similar to those at Adrena’s house. She wants to find a way to make the best use of the space and create a family friendly beach house. Rali, like many people who move into a new house, is struggling to make the new space feel like home.

Week 2. Corennei’s Dining Room

Corennei’s dining room is the prefect example of a room that is 90% there but just that illusive extra 10% to feel complete. It is a case where a fresh perspective is the only way around the design dilemma. I hope the design work we do for Corennei will help others to look at their own home with new eyes.

Week 3. Roeshel’s Living Room

Roeshel’s living room is a good example of working too hard on a space. Often when we are graced with a room as detailed as this it can be more daunting than figuring out what to do with a charmless “white box”. With built-in shelves, a fireplace, staircase and French doors this space is a great example of understanding how to respect all those elements and still make room for you and your family.

Week 4. Maggi’s Apartment

Maggi’s apartment is representative of many of our homes. She obviously loves design and has no problem getting in there and working on her space. However like many homes what Maggi’s place needs is an editor’s eye. I have a feeling a lot of readers out there will find the info in this post very helpful.

Week 5. Mariana’s house

If only we all had the problem Mariana has- How to make an amazing house in Brazil feel cohesive and comfortable. Outside of the location Mariana’s home is similar to a lot of new construction these days – large open floor plans with high ceiling. As nice as that is it creates some design problems with paint, furniture layout and general flow of a house. We will address all those topics in Mariana’s house.

Kim and I are really excited to welcome our new sponsor Castle. It doesn’t seem like only a few short months ago we were the first to feature Rachel Castle’s stunning bedlinen range and she’s gone on to take the blogosphere by storm. But Rachel designs more than stylish contemporary sheets, quilts and pillows. Castle has a stunning range of original screen prints and graphic embroideries. Young, funky and fresh, no two the same. So click on over and be inspired by Castle’s range (… and fab styling – great inspiration!)

I have an addiction. I stalk real estate sites. Nothing new you say. You know I do. Now I “live” at Swedish real estate site Alvhem. I’m not joking. If I could live there I would, especially in a white wonderland like this.

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?

• Annie May is a freelance interior designer who has just started her new blog Yolksy. The tag line is pure genius…”Fresh ideas hatched daily”. Brand spanking new but jump on for the ride. I think this one is going to be big 🙂



• Imagine a beautifully hand carved damask pattern chair. Imagine it in a beautifully sophisticated library. Imagine it with raspberry stain! The Damask chair from DP Studio and new at ICFF 2009 the Vine chair. Who wants to go raspberry picking?



• Matt describes his blog things i have seen this way “You might see a cool interior one day, an amazing piece of architecture the next, or perhaps a stunning piece of furniture. Whatever it is you can be assured that it will be from the perspective of someone who enjoys modern minimalism.” Not only a cool blog but wait till you see his minimalist first reno in London!



• Sailing away in a hammock. How fun does this look! OK not so great for your small apartment but just dream of a meadow, this hammock and a devoted friend to bring drinks. Or a loft a BIG loft and a great book and a good friend to bring drinks. Find it here.
• Be still my beating heart. Volcano #34 is a limited edition piece by artist, Emogayu and is inspired by the natural energy of flowing lava and the way it captures a moment in time forever. Available at Merchant No.4
• No smoke, no smell, no ashes no installation and some amazing designs. Planika.



• And because I can’t get enough of good blogs Living Art and Interiors. Gorgeous!



• Kareem Rizk emailed “I’m just dropping by to let you know that I have 20% off all prints at my Etsy shop, The Suitcase until May 31st.” I’m glad he did. I love his work!