Even a rottweiler and a security gate could not stop me from stalking this Alexandria, Sydney home. An unassuming brick facade opens to light filled open plan living with bamboo lined courtyard. Great kitchen, cool bathroom, fab art and a sweety for a dog. Link here while it lasts.

If you have to go to work on a Saturday I couldn’t think of a better place than the Birkenstock Australia HQ. Sustainability, quality, craftsmanship… not just Birkenstock but the design by Melbourne Design Studio. Yes please! Read more about the brief and the designers’ approach to the project here.

P.S. Why am I obsessed by working on a Saturday all of a sudden? I have a new business, Feast and Co. Pardon the website as it is still in development but we are all about catering and functions based in a beautiful old 1916 home. We’re super busy this weekend with two weddings. Yikes! I better get off this blog and back to the bride. Hopefully photos and background story soon.

Noelle doesn’t like her hallway and wants our help.

“Here are a few photo’s of the room… The problem I have with it is that it’s narrow, high and white. All of it. I’ve been thinking of putting wallpaper (that is not my bedroom btw) on the walls and painting the door a different color. Problem is, I can’t seem to make up my mind. It’s a 1920’s house and the outside of the door can only be painted in 3 colors. I wanted to paint the staircase and all the railings white since I can’t remove all of the old paint and glue. I do want some color in there and I’m tired of the white. I’ve picked this wallpaper because it adds color without being to dark or bright. Thanks in advance and I can’t wait to hear what everyone has to say.”

So what do you think? Any great ideas? I know you want to jump in and help.

Now you see it. Now you don’t. Yes I do like a good bit of bespoke joinery I do, I do. A home for everything and everything in its home. By FMD Architects.

Photography by Richard Whitbread.

Something about restaurant and retail design has been pulling me in lately. Inspiration can be found everywhere. It seems I’m still not over the recycled, chippy paint boards trend. The Crab Shack (New Zealand) by HBO+EMTB via the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards.