Four apartments over four floors in Istanbul, Turkey. A contemporary renovation of an historic building by designer and artist Sema Topaloğlu. Within a tradition of craft and craftsmanship Topaloğlu weaves her magic creating an earthy but elegant series of rooms that respect the bones of the building while overlaying it with a new history of bespoke pieces. These beautiful apartments are not locked away from us though. 4 Floors Istanbul provides boutique accommodation where mine host is Topaloğlu’s brother Murat. I think a trip to Turkey was just added to my bucket list.

Love these fab, floral fancies. Envious that they aren’t mine. Even more green with envy over the talent of photographer Jeroen van der Spek. Soft, natural light. A little moody, at times mysterious, still, waiting, marking time. Brilliant! Via STILLSTARS.

Brace yourselves. I have some shocking news. It is only 4 weeks until Christmas. Yes. Truly shocking. If you are anything like I am you have done nothing. Zip. Zilch. Zero. But never fear, Freedom is here – the perfect gifting and decorating hub with fresh new inspiration to be help you be the ultimate host this summer… and alleviate the stress of gift giving.

“Australians love to entertain in Summer – and the holiday season is no exception. This year Freedom has really focused on those months of long lunches with family and friends gathered around the table to celebrate the season. We’ve made it easier than ever to decorate your table and make it really stand out,” says Vanessa Rothery, Homewares Buyer – Freedom.

I love Freedom‘s bright summery take on Christmas entertaining this year. Sunny yellows and coastal blues, whites and natural woods with just a hint of silver and sparkling glass. A relaxed but stylish take on the Aussie Christmas and pieces that you can use over and over long after the the Christmas table is cleared. My favs? Anything from the Entertain range but especially the table runner in indigo and the custard jug, oh and the cake stand for the pud. Custard and plum pudding yummo! I’ll take the Wish champagne flutes and the Host chip & dip set. Got to have a chip & dip, it’s summer remember. You can see more of the Freedom Christmas tabletop and decoration range here. Lots of fabulous ideas!

This is a sponsored post in partnership with Freedom.

Second helping, that is, of Parisian architectural firm Septembre. Black and white minimalist chic. A small family apartment in an old industrial workshop is big on style. Multipurpose storage lines the perimeter of the main room opening up to central space while light floods in through the wall of windows. Sparse but stylish.

A dark green lacquered entry opens to light and bright living space in this little jewel box of an apartment in the 11th arrondissement of Paris. (It’s only only 75m².) Rooms are entered in a circular, almost wandering fashion with each space defined by texture and colour, white marble, green lacquer, blue tiles and oak.  By Septembre Architecture.