Love the muted marvellousness, the decayed elegance, the almost chalky beauty of these shots by photographer Sharyn Cairns and stylist Glen Proebstel.

Many of you will know that Australia started its colonial history as a penal settlement. Britain sent us all her worst best and along with our indigenous and immigrant population we have grown to what we are today. Convict settlements where tough to put it politely and the island of Tasmania had the toughest. Today’s stalking takes us to the Georgian era Bull’s Head Pub in Hobart, Tasmania now restored as two modern apartments. Look at the renovation though. Exposed beams, old floor boards, changes of levels and voids, modern conveniences and beautiful old brick. Did you notice the glass splash back over the old brick in the kitchen? There is even a cellar paved with convict bricks. Just where I’d set up my wine cellar with grand old table and racks of fine Australian wine. I’m dreaming remember. I’d add some stunning artworks, a bit more layering of textures, more fabulous rugs, ambient lighting and books, yes lots of books. Oh maybe the cellar could be a library. Thanks To Kelly for sending the link!

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! Sonia (who shared the amazing rowhouse renovation earlier this week) has a question…

We are venturing into our 3rd renovation, another rowhouse.  As is typical in our area space is adequate but not abundant. In an effort to be better designers we’d like to know how most respond to this: Given the choice of some extra space on your 2nd floor, which do you choose….an extra bedroom or an extra bath?? Suppose there is space enough for 3 bedrooms & 1 bath or 2 bedroom & 2 bath but no way to combine 3 bedrooms with 2 baths. Size of family is not a constraint — 2 bedrooms is enough for you and your nuclear family.  The 3 bedroom scenario gives you a good size master, a nice size bath and 2 smaller rooms with closets.  The 2 bedroom gives you slightly larger bedrooms, more closet space (but not a ton more), en suite bathroom and a washer dryer upstairs (vs downstairs in the 3 bedroom scenario).  In case it matters there is a powder room on the first floor of a 2 level structure in either scenario. In either case, finishes will be high quality so that’s not a factor either.

Something to keep in mind is that this house is being renovated to sell. Why is she asking you? Because she knows that thousands of design savvy readers with very set opinions come here every day. What a great resource to tap. And what does this next house look like now? Look away now if you are squeamish.

Phew! That wasn’t too bad but knowing what the other houses have looked like inside I shudder to imagine what this one is like. So what do you suggest? Scheme 1 or Scheme 2?

Yesterday I got my hands on a beautiful book. Well I had to fight two friends who wouldn’t give it back. The New Artisans by Olivier Dupon and pulished by Thames & Hudson is a must have book. A beautiful, simple celebration of the handmade and the one of a kind it takes an intimate look at 75 artisans around the globe who share the joy of creating beauty with their hands. Some you will know from blogs, others will be new to you but they are all leading members of the growing community who cherish handmade made exceptionally well. Over 850 images, 75 profiles, 320 pages, listings by category and all of it gorgeous and covetable. A lovely Christmas gift idea. The book is available online and in bookstores. The Facebook page is here. Also don’t miss Olivier’s blog Dossier 37.

I have a thing about colour at the moment. I have a thing about kitchen dressers it seems too. I also have a thing for photographer Graham Atkins-Hughes. If anyone can capture moody colour then it’s Graham. The man’s a genius with the dark and dirty or the shady and smudgy.