West Coast USA, San Francisco, a Bay Region vibe. Two homes from SF based Nick Noyes Architecture. Two homes that sit lightly on the land, a series of wings and interconnections. Breezeways and outdoor spaces, simple, honest architecture with materials and construction on display. The first, on a vineyard, proud in its simple wall cladding of plywood. The second a series of classic metal roofed “boxes” resplendent in white.

Livable yet luxurious. A modern mix of vintage and classic design. Carefully curated and with restrained use of colour. Andrew Flesher believes design should engage as many senses as possible. His is not a flashy, trashy, latest trends aesthetic but one of well considered, stylishly layered rooms. Timeless yet fresh. With offices in Minneapolis and New York and homes everywhere in between. (You may recognise some of his work from the now dissolved design partnership of Gunkelman Flesher.)

Classically modern interiors that combine vintage furniture, amazing art, custom upholstery and clean lined architectural details. Welcome to the work of East Hampton based interior designer Robert Stilin. No “Hamptons” formulaic spaces here though. Modern with a sophisticated vintage riff, multilayered and textured, casually elegant, warm and masculine.

Playful, sensual and just a little provocative. Think nice but naughty. London based interior design practice Precious McBane (don’t you love the name, not the founder or a partner but a children’s character). A mix of the dandy and the daily, the unique and the utilitarian with an emphasis on bespoke furniture, textile design and collaborations with artists.

The mercury is expected to rise to 41 C today in my home town. (That’s actual not apparent.) A sweltering hot day. Just a few more weeks till Christmas! Thank goodness Swedish stylist and creative director Mikael Beckman has sent me his latest Christmas styling for Svenskt Tenn. Makes me dream of cold climes, open fires and snow. He even sent me a photo of his Christmas tree – an old apple tree in his front yard. Now if I could combine my heatwave 41 C and Mikael’s frigid 15 C below we would have a balmy 26. Now that’s just perfect!