Displaying posts labeled "Living Room"

“Key to the clients’ brief for Brunswick House was to provide better connections between the indoor and outdoor spaces and optimize the use of natural light throughout the house. Soft light bounces off the water of the new lap pool onto the ceiling intermingled with gentle shadows from the trees in the adjacent property on the western boundary. The crisp lines of the fine steel window frames and perforated mesh box overhead provide a contemporary addition to the original double storey Victorian terrace which intentionally contrast the original period features.”

Brunswick House by Melbourne-based architectural firm Preston Lane rounds out a week that had more than it’s fair share of extensions and renovations to older homes in Australia. It may sound like bragging but I really believe that Australian architects are masters of the addition. It’s not just about extra space but about light, transition between inside and out, modern, often open plan living and a distinction between old and new, of due respect and reference to the original but also a celebration of the best of contemporary design.

Photography by Derek Swalwell

Over the years Kim and I have been fascinated by the homes of Sera Hersham-Loftus or should I say the reinvention of her homes. The queen of the boudoir look with its seductive, glamorous and over-the-top trappings is also the queen of the quick change, of reinvigorating her glorious spaces. Kim last featured her house a year ago but when I recently visited the Sera of London website, voila, her house had evolved into a glamazon jungle with the addition of even more houseplants than her usual parlour palms. It’s spring, only it’s inside. I love the look but can you imagine watering day?!

So much to see. So much to touch, to turn over, to stroke. I would be the most rude of guests fidgeting in my seat, jumping up to flick through a book, pick up a trinket, open a box, to take in the beauty. Somehow I don’t think the owner of this Birmingham, Alabama home, interior designer, artist and neo-traditionalist William McLure would mind too much. I think maximalists love to display their treasures and to have others secretly covet them. I know I do 😉

If this is the weekend house I can’t even begin to imagine how amazing their everyday house is. I’m daydreaming again and in my dream every day is the weekend and I spend it here. Architecture by Barbara Bestor with interiors by The Archers.

I love all interior styles, from contemporary and traditional to boho and Scandinavian, Hollywood Regency, mid century modern and even minimalist. You name it and I’ll find something to love. I think, though, that my favourite homes are those with interesting architectural bones filled with pieces that reflect the owner’s personality. They don’t have to be new or expensive. They can even be a little beaten up and too well loved. It goes back to the joy of living in a space that over time becomes your second skin. Hollyridge Project by Los Angeles-based by Sally Breer of Co-Mingle.