Got a problem? Need some help? Just standing there shaking your head? Don’t know what to do? You’re not alone. Send us a link to photos of your design quandary and let the Desire to Inspire design crew help you…. that’s you lot… the readers! This week’s problem is from Julie B and to begin with I need to say that we are all jealous that this is the problem that she has… sigh… got that off my chest 🙂 Secondly these photos are from a real estate listing and the furniture is not Julie’s but the previous owner’s.

I just bought a cabin by the sea in Humlekjær in Norway. I’m willing to spend more money to improve it. Here are the areas I want to improve:
– The inside plan and the facade looks a bit messy, partly because of the windows in different sizes. So Im thinking of having a big panorama window in the front where the balcony is, to open up or something else?

– The balcony is not very elegant, it looks very old and grey, what can I do with it?

– I would love to get more suggestions on improvement from you.

Thank you so much…

A seamless melding of old and new, a simplicity, a truth to the designs, whether contemporary or with a nod to the traditional, a sense of humour and a love of the quirky, the found object and a relaxed and stylish vibe. Practical with panache. An easy going elan. Love the first kitchen. Love. At one moment dark and moody yet light and practical, a fabulous marriage of materials, wood and concrete, tile and stainless steel. Urban meets nature with an indy edge and you can still cook up a storm in the place. Great homes by Montreal based interior designer Catlin Stothers.

Sitting in a meadow of flowers, surrounded by fruit trees, not far from the Baltic Sea in Germany is Haus Otteni. This old farm workers’ house has been lovingly restored by its photographer owner. It’s a family home of interconnecting rooms, clay plaster walls, rustic beams and a dark cave like feel. Interesting sight lines and the play of light and shadow reveal the photographer’s eye. A special place that is made even more lovely by its everyday practicality. Precious but not precocious. Even better it is available for holiday rent. Sunbathing in the meadows, relaxing in the shade of a fruit tree, soft breezes blowing in from the coast. Lazy, blowsy summer days with family or friends.

Husband and wife team Rebecca Thuss and Patrick Farrell. Photography, set design, styling, creative direction, graphic design. Dynamic duo. Great portfolio. Graphic images and stylish ideas. The drama of the special event. The drama of the intimate. Thuss+Farrell.

I’m having a design crisis. I’m finding myself drawn to brown. Not just brown but neutrals, no… naturals, maybe wood… and stone… maybe brick. Grass and feathers and gnarly old branches next to turned bowls of eggs and seed pods. It’s clutter and collections and brown…. brown… natural… oh and copper and brass and antiques and hemp and sisal and hand made furniture and back to brown. It’s driving me crazy but I can’t help it. I found this home in the countryside just outside Berrima in New South Wales on my regular real estate stalking and I should be running screaming shouting “no”, “no”, “no” but… I’m kind of hooked. It bothers me but perhaps it shouldn’t. Link here while it lasts.