Playful, sensual and just a little provocative. Think nice but naughty. London based interior design practice Precious McBane (don’t you love the name, not the founder or a partner but a children’s character). A mix of the dandy and the daily, the unique and the utilitarian with an emphasis on bespoke furniture, textile design and collaborations with artists.

The mercury is expected to rise to 41 C today in my home town. (That’s actual not apparent.) A sweltering hot day. Just a few more weeks till Christmas! Thank goodness Swedish stylist and creative director Mikael Beckman has sent me his latest Christmas styling for Svenskt Tenn. Makes me dream of cold climes, open fires and snow. He even sent me a photo of his Christmas tree – an old apple tree in his front yard. Now if I could combine my heatwave 41 C and Mikael’s frigid 15 C below we would have a balmy 26. Now that’s just perfect!

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.