I can smell the salt in the air and hear the crash of relentless waves. Sand whipped up by the stiff onshore breeze stings my shins. I squint into the bright light and wonder if I’ll trek down to the beach and plunge headfirst into the sea or whether I should be sensible, walk back inside and slather cream into my sunburn. A beautiful location, a beautiful house, a beautiful daydream. Big Bay Beach House, 25 minutes drive from Cape Town, South Africa and available for holiday let. Maybe not a dream after all.

It’s probably too late in the year. It is probably too cold. Snow may have fallen and the trees are more than likely bare by now but next year… next year as summer fades and the autumn closes in you’ll find me sitting on the porch, perhaps with a fire crackling in the corner, a rug close by. Yes you’ll find me rocking quietly, drinking in the view… in my dreams. By Meyer Davis Studio.

Is this the ultimate home cinema? Pass the popcorn and roll the film, I’m moving in. Perched on a ridge line in the Hollywood Hills, the Skyline Residence by Belzberg Architects may incorporate sustainable design practices, may have clean modern lines, expansive rooms with outrageous views through vast walls of glass but what we all will be pinning and filing away for another day will be the outdoor theatre. Genius.

I had to revisit the MAKE architecture portfolio. There was a kitchen renovation I had to share. The kitchen/dining area of this art deco home was upgraded so that the owners could run a cooking school. Large enough to allow for classes, intimate enough for day to day living. I love the interplay of the black with the timber and the gleam of metallic highlights, the art deco style glass and steel doors and the rustic dining table. I would love to cook here. More importantly I would love to share my food with family and friends here.

The renovation and extension of this 1930s duplex by Virginia Kerridge Architect saw a double height box added behind the building extending the lower floor apartment. The contemporay space provides a kitchen dining area above and an intimate sitting area that opens to a pool. “The concept behind the scheme was to leave the existing building in close to original condition with the addition being treated as a “box” for living in…” Please Santa. I’ve been a good girl this year. Could you leave an extension just like this behind my house this Christmas morning?