Displaying posts labeled "Outdoors"

Now THIS is where I would want to spend my summer. This island retreat by Seattle design firm Hoedemaker Pfeiffer is all kinds of rustic, while adding a bit of whimsy with an unconventional bedroom set-up. This project shows what happens when you focus on your strengths, defy convention, and take a few risks. The demolition of half the house made room for a camp-like setting of grand indoor spaces for gathering with great outdoor spaces for taking the sun and views, or gathering around the fire. Bedrooms were replaced by a collection of wall tents that lose nothing in luxury and gain everything in the connection to the great outdoors.​

This rustic, timber clad out-house (originally designed by Eckersley Garden Architecture) has undergone a clever transformation into sophisticated guest accommodation on a rural property in Victoria’s Mornington peninsula. A beautiful site, a beautiful vine clad building and now a modern, light filled getaway redesigned by Melbourne-based Studio Esteta.

From sophisticated soiree to lavish luncheon, majestic wedding to intimate celebration South African events designer Otto de Jager and his team at Otto de Jager Events create magic, transforming empty spaces into temporary wonderlands but it’s deJager’s more permanent creations that have caught my eye. I’ve chosen just two of his interior designs (the second is his own home) to share. Both rich with natural finds, aged timbers and a sense of theatre. After all he is in the business of staging extravagant events.

Wind in the grass, ripples on the pond, kids splashing in the pool. Alfresco conversations, family gatherings, native wildlife paying a visit and the joy of an Australian garden that is more than a lawn and the latest “it” plants. Low maintenance, drought resistant, sustainable and beautiful. Musk Cottage garden in Flinders in country Victoria by Eckersley Garden Architecture.

It’s Friday. The weekend is looming and a girl’s (or boy’s) mind turns to weekend activities. For me it’s all about gardening. (I must be getting old. It used to be all about partying.) A little inspiration via this Port Melbourne garden by landscape architect Ben Scott. Traditional with a twist out the front and modern alfresco fun surrounding the new extension out the back. Just about perfect!