I’m up to something with my good friend Kerrie. A little online venture. Something to tempt our readers. We are building an empire. A Faded Empire. Today I started photographing product. Oh my god I have nothing but praise and respect for photographers and stylists around the world. Hard work! And of course I went about it all the wrong way. Just a teaser for now. We are still a few weeks away from a soft launch. I’ll come back soon with some more photos and a link.

True love….. again. We’ve featured photographer David Prince‘s work before. We’ve simpered and praised, declared his work the best, sworn our undying love… then forgotten him and moved on to other photographer crushes. What was I thinking! New work since our last foray into Prince’s portfolio. Love the boho, easy elegance that is creeping into the shots. The earthiness, the softer light, the exploration of the imperfect. The man’s a genius. Mea culpa. I should not have strayed.

Got a problem? Need some help? Just standing there shaking your head? Don’t know what to do? You’re not alone. Send us a link to photos of your design quandary and let the Desire to Inspire design crew help you …. that’s you lot… the readers! First problem this year comes from Katie.

I was hoping to get your help with this odd feature of my new studio apartment – a raised, enclosed platform with sliding french doors that houses (literally) just a full-size bed and a small night table. I’m attaching pictures of the studio’s layout and what this “box” (as we call it) looks like. How can I make this thing less of a giant eyesore? I was thinking about refinishing the hardware on the doors, hanging curtains somehow – either around the doors or as a canopy (thoughts?) – and installing some sort of better lighting. It’s bigger than a sleeping nook, but smaller than a bedroom. Help! [previous owner’s photos – the box is now a lighter dove gray/purple; doors are still white]

I have a recurring dream where I pack up a box of fab deli foods and wine, just a change or two of clothes (don’t forget the swimmers) and hit the road down south to my weekender. Sometimes it will just be me. Sometimes my friends are coming too. It is such a lovely dream that I often don’t want to wake up. I think I will incorporate these two houses into my dreams for a while. Both in the hinterland behind Byron Bay. One is serene and the other a bit zany but both would be a wonderful escape from the Monday to Friday grind. No money in the bank for either of these. (The prices are extreme. This is a very popular bolt hole for the well heeled.) Maybe we could pitch in and do time share. Links for the houses here and here while they last.

Remember the fabulous art noveau meets midcentury Scandinavian Tenbosch House? Want more? The interiors were by Michel Penneman. How about his art collector’s apartment? More midcentury classics and gallery walls to die for and I spy my new furniture crush, another Vico Magistretti Maralunga piece. This time the sofa. I think I could just about move straight in. Sigh.