It’s raining here. Raining, raining, raining. In biblical quantities. What better time to plonk myself in front of the computer and real estate stalk? I’m in Bondi, Sydney. A contemporary home by architect Uri Turgeman and interior designer Shellee Gordoun. A series of rooms in open plan stretching either side of a cental garden atrium and leading out to the garden. Casual elegance with interest brought in through finishes and texture. Light, bright, white and… blue. My imagination is running riot. How would this space look with red or green or black or yellow? A good example of how a neutral base lends itself to painterly strokes of colour to change things up. Link here while it lasts.

Two designs by Melbourne based interior designer Travis Walton. One residential, one commercial. The first, the Cloverdale Residence, is a contemporary home with a limited colour palette that is lifted with luxury finishes of marble, travertine tiling and European Oak. The open plan design is perfect for modern Australian living. The second design, Threefold , an acclaimed Melbourne eatery and supplier involved the gut renovation of an historic hotel building in Flinders Lane. French bistro meets urban industrial, inviting, intimate, a mix of the original and the new. Stealing ideas from here for my next kitchen.

(Via Australian Interior Design Awards.)

A special place, part history, part fantasy, part mystery, part dream made reality. Château de Marteret in Southwest France in the foothills of the Pyrenees in the Gascony region has a singular charm. The current owners have commissioned over 20 artists to help bring their vision to life. The estate is about creative power and inspiration, nurturing life and delving into its meaning and mysteries. It’s philosophy meets interior design. Perhaps that is a little glib but whatever Château de Marteret would profess to be it certainly is beautiful… and unusual.

Perched on the water’s edge on an island south west of Stockholm is the H-House by Arkitektstudio Widejdal Racki (whilst practising as Arkitektstudio WRB). Like the Surfers House in a previous post, the building is about reacting to the changes in the weather. Roll open the windows, enjoy the open courtyards, bask in the summer sun and take in the view but when the wind blows and the temperature drops there are covered, protected areas and an outdoor fireplace.

This traditional stone house in Adelaide is full of surprises. The first hint might just be the large, contemporary art pieces in the entry. Perhaps the modern, sculptural furniture in its more traditional rooms. Its sleek kitchen and family room extension leading to the outdoor entertaining and pool are not quite you would expect from its prim and proper stone facade. I’m real estate stalking in North Adelaide, South Australia. As an art lover I would happily move in. Link here while it lasts.