The trip had been long. Australia is, after all, the other side of the world but as the taxi made its way towards Passage Landrieu her excitement mounted. She was in Paris. At last. Tomorrow the adventure would begin in earnest. For now, though, she stood in the doorway of the loft she would call home for the next few days. She felt in tingle run up her spine as she took it all in. So chic, so eclectic, so perfect. (Via onefinestay.)

It’s that time of the week again. Time for stalking leftovers. Lovely homes? Yes… well… er… maybe. You see I am very finicky when it comes to my virtual real estate stalking. Fussy, particular, choosy, picky and hard to please. Not quite right, bad photos, more photos please, house is amazing furniture is deplorable, can’t quite put my finger on it listings but all with something that has me nodding “yes”. This week’s finds include an art deco apartment in Potts Point with killer views and a killer price tag – thank goodness it is all calm and peaceful white, another apartment that couldn’t be any closer to the centre of Melbourne’s action, a couple of courtyard ideas and a tight little staircase I quite like. All via realestate.com.au.

Minimalist white box with hints of sea green and berry hues, grain sack linen on midcentury chairs, chippy painted furniture, patchwork kilims and a sleek almost invisible kitchen. Is it hard core minimalism tempered by eclecticism? White box architecture as theatrical stage for well loved pieces? La Moraleja, a 1984 house refurbished by ÁBATON is open, bright, a softer, less constrained minimalism. Beautifully livable.

As my crazy, busy, mad, mad , mad work week draws to a close you’ll still find me daydreaming of escapes and holiday homes, B&Bs and exotic places. Today you’ll find me in Lucerne, Switzerland in the stylishly domestic Bed & Breakfast 9. A small guesthouse that promises respite from the madding world, beautiful simplicity, a gentle stay. It doesn’t always have to be about cutting edge and high fashion. Sometimes it is about hearth and home and welcoming hosts. Bliss.

Classic and contemporary. Old and new. Dark and light. High, high, high and a touch of low. (Is that an IKEA rug I spy in the study?) I’m not sure if this one has been styled down, pared back for the photo shoot or not. I love the steel doors in the old part of the house and the sleek lines of the modern extension when viewed against the Edwardian gingerbread cottage lines of the old. Stalking old and new in Melbourne. Link here while it lasts.