The abundance of indoor plants, the relaxed, unpretentious style, the soft light flooding in, the play of old silver and crockery against darkest blue, a blend of old and contemporary. What’s not to love? FIG Interior Design New York.

Love this kitchen. I just want to sit and gossip with friends over a cup or two of tea. I found this glorious image in the portfolio of über photographer Ngoc Minh Ngo. She has the knack of releasing the spirit of a room in her shots.

There is something about a house that lets the view do the talking. A beautiful, black box sits lightly on the steep block. Interiors are kept simple yet stylish. It’s the use of glass and of the view that makes this home so special. Positive and negative space. Volumes and voids. Public views and intimate space. A Wellington, New Zealand home renovation by BC+AArchitecture.

Escape. Sandy beaches, simple life. Relax, chill out. After all running away should be like coming home.  Holiday house in Negril, Jamaica by Knibb Design. The best things in life aren’t complicated.

Fancy living in an old garage? Melbourne based architects Hearth have taken a small, utilitarian building and with clever use of space and salvaged or secondhand materials created a elementary but stylish studio apartment. Open plan, yes, and with private areas on view, the point isn’t to be exhibitionist when friends come to visit but to live simply and well in a small space.

Photography by Lauren Bamford.