What do these have in common? A photographer. More than a photographer, a genius with half light and shadows, a magician at capturing mood and modern intimacy. Elegant Swedish spaces without being bright, white and overexposed. Grown up, sophisticated and calm. The photographer is Magnus Mårding. The first apartment is that of illustrator Mats Gustafson, designed by Fernlund + Logan (and just to be complete the shoot was styled by Jacob Hertzell). After the jump another design leader and more rich and moody Swedish rooms.

The Ett Hem boutique hotel designed by Ilse Crawford and photographed by our common thread in this post, Magnus Mårding. The air is heavy with afternoon light slanting through the drapes, the rooms rich and redolent with luxurious layering.

A big shout out to South East Queensland readers. Keep the early evening of Thursday 27 September free. Matt Blatt is celebrating their Newstead store opening and I will be there to help. It’s going to be a fun evening with champagne, canapés, gift bags and 15% off in store for the night. (You need to RSVP by 24 September. All the details are just below.)

Just as exciting is that Matt Blatt has kindly given me two of these fabulous chairs for an Australian reader to win as part of the celebrations. Matt Blatt‘s version of this classic Mexican chair is valued at $345 each and perfect for summer! Today is certainly hot in my neck of the woods and I could do with one of these tangy beauties to relax in and catch some rays.

What do you need to do to win these summer time essentials?

1. You need to be an Australian resident. (Boo! I know overseas readers. It is not fair but Matt Blatt is only based in Australia.)
2. You need to tell me, in the comments below this post, in 25 words or less “How would these chairs make your summer perfect?“.
3. You need to leave a name and email address for us to be able to contact you when you win.
4. You need to answer in 25 words or less…. honestly… 25… or less. Better count them.

OK get going. Time to think up your most creative answers. You can enter as many times as you like before 5.30pm AEST Saturday 6 October 2012.

See you on Thursday night! I’ll be the one with the champagne in one hand, camera in the other, snapping pics, chatting and figuring out what to add to my wish list. Can’t wait to meet you.

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

Looking for somewhere to rent? London, SE1 not too far from the Tate Modern, the Old Vic and the Young Vic. Walk to the city via the Millennium Bridge.

“This impeccably restored one-bedroom loft apartment with roof terrace is situated in the historic Ragged School, close to Borough Market. Set over two floors, the flat has all of the characteristics of a classic loft, including exposed brickwork, vaulted wooden ceilings and massive warehouse windows. Styled and furnished by the renowned photographer and stylist Zanna, it is in our opinion one of the most atmospheric apartments in central London.”

Amazing building, amazing space, amazing fit out. Industrial, rustic, quirky and fabulous. Furnished or unfurnished. (Furnished please…. love the old shop fittings and the wall of old cupboards gives me goosebumps.) Available immediately. I’d move in in a heart beat but I can’t afford the rent. £2,924 pcm/ £675 pw. If you rent it can I sleep on the couch?

The Ragged School via The Modern House.

Sometimes one can just have too much boulle and ormolu. Sometimes there is such a thing as too much fun. Today’s second house is a more subtle take on luxury. Starting with an equally impressive historic building the owners in this case have chosen an understated elegance. Greys and whites play against dark floors and modern, clean lined furniture and an open plan design play against the period features. Favourite here? The office. I would gladly home invade, er sorry, move in just for that office and of course the location. Gore St, Fitzroy, Melbourne. Sigh. Link here while it lasts.

Spring has sprung in Australia and what does that mean? Blossom and hay fever, spring cleaning and auctions. After a long barren winter with scant few properties to real estate stalk suddenly I am spoilt for choice as I trawl the listings. A double offering today. A rollicking overdose of kitsch and boulle and ormolu wrapped up in luxury and tempered (just slightly) with white. A confection of a house at the best of times, the owner has claimed it as their own and ramped up the volume. Blackamoors and Chinese dragons, marble, large art and coffered ceilings. The interiors make me smile. This is certainly the perfect party house. My favourite part, though, must be the gardens and the creeper clad exterior. Talk about kerb appeal. St Kilda West near the beach in Melbourne. Link here while it lasts.

I cannot take credit for finding today’s houses. Fellow stalker Andrea beat me to them. Happily she sends me links.