Doing things economically and beautifully. South Australian design firm Williams Burton Leopardi calls it “elegant frugality”. Their design for these terrace houses, Loft on Seventh in Adelaide, sees them exploring the idea of practical luxury using industrial materials and clever space planning.

“For those who believe small details can make life memorable and inspiring, our work builds connection through celebrating life’s daily rituals, creating environments distinctive to people and place.”

A box is a box is a box unless it the Cliff House by Canadian MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects. A simple idea, a stunning location, a box that is more than a box. Retreat, weekender, archetypal cabin with a view and vertigo. Austere, modest poetry in the landscape.

Moody, masculine, modern. Sophisticated with a rough edge. Shiny dark floors and floor level mirrors confuse the boundaries and make this warehouse apartment look larger as do the full height doors. Slick with exposed brick by Architect Prineas.

I would have absolutely no problems heading into work on a weekend if my office looked like this. Yes please! Stylish, streamlined, bright, classic. BHDM Design‘s own studio. A design firm’s workplace is always a great indicator of their work. But wait! There’s more. The Manhattan-based design studio can do quirky and whimsical as well… for a law firm. Think life size orange sharks floating across ceilings. In a law firm? I’d be heading in to work on a weekend if there were sharks on my ceiling!

halcyon – adjective – denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful…

You may have seen it in the latest Vogue Living. You may have followed its progress on Anna Spiro’s Instagram account. You may have only seen it in your dreams. Halcyon House, the new boutique hotel at Cabarita Beach in Northern New South Wales. Pattern on pattern with bold colour and crisp white, gallery walls and vintage pieces. A once down at heels beach motel has risen phoenix like to become a glam but welcoming, casually elegant holiday destination. Architecture by Virginia Kerridge and interiors by Anna Spiro of Black & Spiro.