Ohlhausen DuBois Architects have taken a 1950’s ranch house and integrated a new glass pavilion and landscaping to create a home that delights and welcomes. Indoor living spaces now transition easily to the outdoors through a series of terraces, gardens and pool. The house is about mass and volume, light and transparency, solidity and retreat while reaching out to its location. Simple. Elegant. Satisfying and inspiring. Milillo Residence, Sands Point, NY.

I couldn’t leave it any longer to share more work from Civico Quattro‘s Orietta Marcon. A private home by this designer/stylist that carefully balances rustic charm and subtle elegance. Nothing is “precious”. Where simple and everyday meets stylish and beautiful. To climb the stairs to that grey and white haven under the eaves would be such a wonderful way to end each day.

A dream, a beautiful, beautiful dream come to life. A rustic home in the Marche countryside, Pergola in Italy. Stylish and elegant yet simple and casual. Designed by Michele Gambato of MGARK, Malatesta Maison is home to Claudia, Carlo, Isabelle and their three dogs. Interior decoration is by Orietta Marcon of Civico Quattro.

No need to dream about this special maison though. It is also a B&B. Yes you can stay and pretend, just for a little while, that it is all yours. In the meantime head to Claudia’s blog Malatesta to see more of her inspirations and creations and the beauty that is her family’s everyday life.

I’m starting the design process for my new kitchen. Floors weren’t particularly on my radar but they are now. Looks like the old ones will have to come up and new ones laid. I have a thing for white boards. Not necessarily white painted floors. I’m talking white stained, limed, light timber floors. The search has begun. I’m trawling the web. But then what do I find? A great post on Australian interior designer Shareen Joel‘s design hub Share Design. (It’s a great online source of inspiration as well as naming the names and giving the links for product.) Tips & Trends: Beautiful Timber Flooring. Bingo! I’ve always loved Shareen’s floors in her Sorrento beach home. Gorgeous aren’t they? Hmmmm…. thinking the same for my kitchen would be fabulous with my white painted brick walls. I’m madly clicking links and finding new suppliers… and importantly for me Australian links. OK now I’m off to find more posts on Share Design that will cut down my search time like one on floor stains and washes. Thanks Shareen for doing all the hard work. Now that’s what I call a Saturday share!

An eclectic mix with a mid century riff. Neutral background with texture and colour adding layers of interest. Classic with a modern edge. Sophisticated yet fresh. Young yet retro. A home that is functional and beautiful. Isn’t that what we all want? Cool interiors by St Louis, Missouri based CURE Design Group.