A tiny house big on style, mighty where it counts. A small footprint, big use of re-use. Reclaiming, recycling, reinventing but definitely not rehashing. Fresh green design capped off with the freshest of new roofs, moss and green ferns. Jessica Helgerson‘s family home in Sauvie Island, just north of Portland, Oregon. Photography by Lincoln Barbour.

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! This week’s email is from Lauren.

Hi, I am hoping that the Design Crew can help us with our living room.  We are currently renting and cannot change the paint, the light fixtures, or flooring.  We have two large walls that are intimidating and we are at a loss for how to fill them.  The large wall with the coat closet is particularly problematic in that we can’t put furniture here to break up the space because it is in the line of traffic from the front door to the back of the house.  The wall with the TV seems like it needs something, but we aren’t sure what.  We tend to lean towards a look that is clean and simple, yet comfortable.  Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.  I promise to send pics when it is complete!

There is something in the Australian psyche, a primordial urge to own the quarter acre block with house or the ultimate dream… to own a pub. Yes, yes there is that crusty old joke about the perfect girlfriend and her father who owns a pub but given half a chance to daydream huge chunks of the Australian population would own up to harbouring a fantasy that involves a country pub and retiring to be “mine host”. Here is the next best thing. An old pub converted to gallery, shops, restaurant and apartment above in the beautiful spa town of Daylesford, Victoria. I’m packing my bags. I’m off to live my fantasy. Pub owner without the pub. Just have to find the cash to front up for this fantasy. Real estate stalking with a glass of wine in my hand can be dangerous for the wallet. Link here while it lasts.

I know it is wrong for a woman now in her 50s (just… just) to get all cutsie pie over little white worker’s cottages but I can’t help it. I always want to pinch their chubby little house cheeks and muss up their curls. Maybe because this one has a touch of gingerbread trimmings. I know I would like to drink some tea with the owners at that table up close by the chimney. Just keep that weird expanding hallway well away from me. It’s like a bad trip or more like a bad camera angle. For sale here in Malvern, Melbourne while the link lasts.

Another day, another daydream, another dream beach house from Martín Gómez Arquitectos. The more I see of Gómez’ vision for Punta del Este the more I need to move to Uruguay. If white and wood and lots of light are key prerequisites for your perfect surf side abode then this house will certainly please. Love the long shaded patios that are so prominent in Gómez’ work. Perfect for long lazy alfresco living.