It is the end of the week and a girl’s mind turns to gardening. Well this girl’s does. As the days grow longer and the temperature rises, the leaves burst forth on the branches and long forgotten bulbs shot “surprise” as they pop out of the soil, my day dreams of a lush and lovely backyard may just come true. They would that is if I left them in the creative hands of Sydney-based Secret Gardens. Perhaps a bright yet shady backyard retreat like this first garden in Randwick? Or a more sophisticated and casually elegant garden that marries contemporary landscape with a traditional home in Kensington? Either would be perfect.

The beginning of the week saw me stalking small country cottages. Today I’m wandering the streets of inner city Melbourne. Two worker’s cottages caught me eye. The first is in South Yarra, Melbourne. (Link here.) The second in Fitzroy, Melbourne. (Link here.) Two homes small in footprint but big on style. When you are surrounded by all the temptations of inner city living a home is more of a base for exploring and experiencing what is on offer around you than a mega McMansion in the ‘burbs where the house itself is more the destination. (Dare I say to almost theme park dimensions in some cases… then again I always was an inner city girl 😉

A creator of beautiful images, an artist balancing his composition, an alchemist of light. New York-based Hector Sanchez is my new photographer crush. Passion and beauty, colour and composition.

Remove yourself from the modern world with an escape to a medieval watchtower overlooking the Carpini valley in Umbria, Italy. Secluded valleys, breathtaking vistas and a 12th century building lovingly restored with a minimalist bent. Mighty stone and wood marry with steel and glass while luxurious but minimalist furnishings reflect an austere past but a hedonist present. Moravola.

“The mind slips sideways a haven away from the modern world, the body unwinds as senses reawaken.”

Beautiful wide planks of wood sent a frisson of lust through DTI readers. Oak and Douglas fir made readers pin and like and share and save to inspiration folders. Easy to see why the flooring from Dinesen caused such a fuss. In an age of man made and faux and plastic and “that will have to do”, it is a joy to behold the beauty of the natural wood celebrated. Wide and mighty. A statement. OK. OK. Just so darn sexy in a roll around and stroke the floor kind of way. To feed our addiction for these perfect planks Dinesen has sent us more images from an apartment designed by Anouska Hempel. Enjoy!