I can’t wait to meet you at the Matt Blatt Brisbane store opening tomorrow night. (Apparently hundreds of you have RSVPed.) For those of you in Australia who can’t come along don’t forget our giveaway. Click over here and enter to win two perfect summer chairs.

If I only posted the first photo, if I had blurred the watermark, if this was a pop quiz on architects whose work features regularly on Desire to Inspire then I think we would all be able to yell out the correct answer. If there is one design firm that can fulfil the fantasy of the ultimate outdoor oasis then that would be  SAOTA – Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects. With sites that clammer for clever solutions and views that dominate any design decision this South African architectural studio embraces the site restraint, celebrates the dynamic vistas and creates a seamless indoor outdoor transition.  Sleek, contemporary with casual luxury. Victoria 73, Bantry Bay, Cape Town by interior design by SAOTA and OKHA Interiors.

Just a little loft on the inner city fringe. Just a small two bedroom apartment in a warehouse conversion in Chippendale in Sydney. Just a small open plan living area and a private balcony with just enough plants to liven up the place. Just enough midcentury furniture mixed with industrial, found objects and art. Just enough to keep me happy… if I was young and carefree and hadn’t hoarded so much junk over my life time! Link here while it lasts.

Less is luxe. So say the proprietors of the Hotel Praktik Metropol. Not less in style but less in tariffs. A well priced design hotel in central Madrid on the Gran Via. Remodelling and decoration by Lázaro Rosa-Violán and his Contemporain Studio team. The look is young and fresh, casual chic with everything for the traveller who wants to make the most of their time and their money. When adventure waits on the streets outside, when the guide book leads you from must see site to must see site, when your hotel is your base for experience and not the experience itself then the warm wood floors, white walls and thousands of design details will suit just fine.

The day is warm but I know the breeze will be rolling in across the sea soon. I push the bifolds back and walk across the deck. Arms stretched out across the rails I arch my aching back and turning, take in the open plan living before me. I can’t believe all this is mine. Subtropical style, sophisticated beach house meets casual, modern living. The dark floor boards ground the white as white walls while dashes of colour pull my eyes here and there. Everything is lovely but nothing is too precious. In the trees outside the cicadas start to hum. There is a scent of summer, gum leaves and sea salt. I close my eyes and smile sadly. It’s all a daydream. I click away from the real estate site I have been stalking and open again the spreadsheet that has been taunting me at work all morning. If you too want to dream about this 1920’s Avalon, Sydney home the link is here.