I’ve changed my mind. I want to be here where the pool meets the rainforest. Perched in the hills of the Atlantic Forest in Guarujá on the São Paulo coast. The AMA house by Jacobsen Arquitetura.

Sitting snugly on the Gager marina on Rügen Island, Germany is a simple, stylish house that references its site, the history and construction of the boat houses that hug the shore. Think casual, natural materials, panoramas and light flooding in. Now think holiday rental. You’d find me sitting by the window mesmerised by the view. Strandwood House – modern, maritime style.

Just off the coast from Brisbane is beautiful sand island, Stradbroke Island, a holiday destination for most and home for a lucky few. Beach shacks were common, cobbled together from whatever could be found locally or easily transported by barge to the island. This is changing as modern developments gobble up the old beach homes so it is refreshing to see existing shacks maintained and thoughtfully extended. This Point Lookout shack was originally built by artist David Nutter in conjunction with his architect father Danny Nutter. Brisbane based architects Marc & Co were given the task of improving the flow between the series of shacks and sheds that make up the house, adding decks and outdoor showers while improving the connection to the landscape. A simple way of living, a satisfying way of holidaying.

I never thought I would catch myself typing the words ferro-cement organic. Being of a certain age I have vague memories of chicken wire and concrete disasters lurking in under house games rooms or pseudo hippy hang outs. The type of weekend DIY that seemed like a good idea at the time until the sheer scope of the job overwhelmed the home owner. I blame it on Antoni Gaudí, Frank Lloyd Wright and Antti Lovag. The Hollander House, built in the late 60s early 70s by architect David Hollander, is no weekend hodge podge. Now recognised as a icon of Australian organic architecture its current interior designer owner has listed the house for sale with Modern House.  Part Fred Flintstone, part scifi, all retrolicious you can read more of its history and design here. (Real estate listing also here while it lasts.)

It’s that time of the week. The houses that made the cut then didn’t because I hummed and hawed and changed my mind. My stalking leftovers. Why? I’m very fussy. Call me particular, finicky, choosy and hard to please. Not quite right, bad photos, I need more photos please, house is amazing furniture is deplorable or no furniture at all! Can’t quite put my finger on it listings with something that have me nodding “yes”. This week’s finds include a really cool apartment (above) that I should have given its own stalking post but the photos just didn’t do enough for me. Speaking of photos there’s a house in Tasmania which I’m sure is fabulous in real life but the listing photos are just bitsy. Then there is the warehouse conversion. What I would do to that space! And there is even a house I have featured before but with more photos. All via realestate.com.au.