Perched high on a ridge with views to infinity this three storey home in Fresnaye, Cape Town by SAOTA – Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects takes advantage of a difficult steep site. Balancing concrete, glass and granite on columns that dig deep into the ground, the architects have opened the building’s face to that amazing vista. Such solidity balanced by a desire to run, jump and fly away into the blue.

Can Lis, Jørn Utzon‘s family home in Majorca built in 1972. Utzon settled in the Balearic Islands after leaving the Sydney Opera project in 1966. A house built using traditional building methods and materials but interpreted by one of the giant’s of 20th century architecture. A place for the day to day rituals of living steeped in ancient traditions. The Utzon Foundation carefully restored the by now rundown building between October 2011 and February 2012. A spiritual, almost sensuous space sympathethically brought back to life.

The renovation of a coffee bar in Lleida, Catalonia explores texture and light. Rope and slates made from fruit boxes from the local area provide visual interest while light and more importantly shadow draws patrons to cozy corners. The atmosphere is warm and rustic like the local country shop it is , avoiding the high tech and harsh while referencing the agricultural buildings of the area. The space is simple and real, the buzz is not only from coffee but from patrons at ease. Design is by Barcelona based AAIMM.

Contemporary and custom combined with vintage and one off. Beautifully layered modern rooms with personality and wonderful detail. Calm and elegant, sophisticated and restrained but warm and inviting. Quite a feat to get just right and interior designer Charles Mellersh has the balance just right.

5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, leafy courtyard. Living large in the inner city with a  large price tag. I’m stalking in Darlinghurst, Sydney. So close to the central business district that you could almost wave to the office workers. Perhaps that’s why in its previous life this beautiful old home was a commercial business, albeit a stylish landscape design business.  First link here while the second is here.