What happens when old meets new? I’m still real estate stalking. South Yarra in Melbourne to be exact. An iron lace confection in stately grounds. High Victorian decoration meets eames chairs. At the rear a modern extension of metal and glass, timber and marble. Mid century classics and sleek lines. Does it do it for you? Do you have several million? For sale of course. Link here while it lasts.

A little fibro shack down by the beach. Something simple. A place to gather with family and friends for good times, fun in the sun. A place full of hand me down furniture where no you yells at you if you plop on the couch in wet swimmers or track sand in the back door. Maybe not high on style but that doesn’t matter. The days are spent on the beach and nights around the BBQ swatting mosquitoes and drinking beer. Except someone forgot to tell the owners of this fibro beach shack at Sorrento in Victoria that they need not worry about being stylish. If this is their holiday weekender I’d love to see their real home. Real estate stalking again. Link here while it lasts.

A second look at Canadian architect Paul Bernier. A departure from his timber boxes with voids and perforated floors climbing up like treehouses, this home sits solidly in a grove, its stone walls anchoring it firmly to the earth. The monotonal greys are reminiscent of Belgian interiors, clean lined and spare but with a modern, contemporary feel. As striking as this house looks in its wintery setting I cannot help imagining how different it will be when the trees are green and leafy. A cool retreat in the forest.

Canadian architect Paul Bernier explores the ideas of distillation and purity in his designs. He questions whether floors need to be solid, walls fixed and how a door opens. This does not make his designs gimmicky though. The simplicity of line and the use of natural materials particularly timber make his homes intimate and personal. I love the slatted floors in both these houses, the amazing overhead shot of planted roof and shady garden below as well as the bathroom with wall slits in the second home. Spaces that are interesting as well as beautiful.

Bold contemporary lines. Floor planes intersected and connected by vertical timber elements. Mass and void, solid and transparent, open and shut and in and out. Luxury open-plan family living perched above Cape Town, South Africa with views to infinity and the infinity edged pool to relax in and enjoy it all. Who else but SAOTA – Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects.