I love a window seat.  I love an eat in kitchen. I love a reading nook. I love this extension by Carter Williamson Architects. The heart of the home but with flexible use. The wonderful spot to cook, to come together, to entertain, to relax, to read and perfect for the Australian climate and lifestyle. Small in footprint but big on ideas.

It was the chairs, those bus roll upholstered chairs. I’d coveted them for years. There couldn’t be two sets. Sorry I’ve started this story a little far into the timeline. Rewind. Email waiting in my inbox. A little teaser. “Thought I would share this house with you.” That’s all but like a terrier on a scent down the rabbit hole I went. Scroll, scroll. Bam. It was the chairs, those bus roll upholstered chairs. I’d coveted them for years. Email back. Gush thanks. Confess my thing for those chairs. “Are you the owner or the agent?” And the owner, or should I say soon to be ex-owner, wrote back. Yes the house had been in Living Etc. That’s where I had seen the chairs. That’s where my love affair with their house began. Strange that a number of years on and I’m talking to an Aussie in London who owns those chairs, who has just sold that house. It’s a small world full of wonderful coincidences and serendipity. I just have one more question for the owners. I hadn’t remembered when we were emailing, only when I found the house feature online. Do you still have the display case? I’ve coveted it for years….

And now the Living Etc pictures by Paul Massey and my own very humble homage to those chairs…

Techné – to make poetically. I had to return to this Melbourne firm’s work for another dose of inspiration. Creative, contemporary, edgy and exciting this home is a bright and cheery ode to family life. Both dark and colourful choruses break the sunny white providing contrast and interest, tying the old to the new. Hang it! I’ll stop trying to wax lyrical. I just need to say it’s fabulous!.

The library rules. No not “ssshhh no talking”. I mean this amazing library rules! The house too. The book lined shelves provide transition between the old house and the new extension, screening the open plan living areas from the hallway and front door. Black, white and wood, my favourite combo, are accentuated by the polished concrete floor and occasional burst of colour. By Melbourne based design atelier Techné.

Heaven is dark and moody. No bright, white light. No pearly gates and fluffy clouds. No, it is an apartment in a Collingwood, Melbourne warehouse by Wolveridge Architects. Exposed brick, old timbers, leather, a slightly fussy wallpaper. Bliss. No, I mean heaven!