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Just off the coast from Brisbane is beautiful sand island, Stradbroke Island, a holiday destination for most and home for a lucky few. Beach shacks were common, cobbled together from whatever could be found locally or easily transported by barge to the island. This is changing as modern developments gobble up the old beach homes so it is refreshing to see existing shacks maintained and thoughtfully extended. This Point Lookout shack was originally built by artist David Nutter in conjunction with his architect father Danny Nutter. Brisbane based architects Marc & Co were given the task of improving the flow between the series of shacks and sheds that make up the house, adding decks and outdoor showers while improving the connection to the landscape. A simple way of living, a satisfying way of holidaying.

I never thought I would catch myself typing the words ferro-cement organic. Being of a certain age I have vague memories of chicken wire and concrete disasters lurking in under house games rooms or pseudo hippy hang outs. The type of weekend DIY that seemed like a good idea at the time until the sheer scope of the job overwhelmed the home owner. I blame it on Antoni Gaudí, Frank Lloyd Wright and Antti Lovag. The Hollander House, built in the late 60s early 70s by architect David Hollander, is no weekend hodge podge. Now recognised as a icon of Australian organic architecture its current interior designer owner has listed the house for sale with Modern House.  Part Fred Flintstone, part scifi, all retrolicious you can read more of its history and design here. (Real estate listing also here while it lasts.)

I am loving this little 56m2 apartment in Warsaw, Poland – the work of Klara Wesol of KW Studio. It is located on the 4th floor of a modernist building built in the 30’s and was reconfigured and totally renovated. Gorgeous herringbone-style whitewashed oak floors, an exposed brick wall (plasterwork and several layers of paint have been removed) and decorated with vintage Polish posters and bits from all over the globe – Moroccan carpets and pillows, Iranian seat cushions, Argentinean kilims and Georgian soumaks.

Here is a sample of some projects by New York City interior designer Lucy Harris. I appreciate her classy, somewhat minimal designs and how she keeps things edgy with bold photography as art, unexpected jolts of colour, and statement lighting. 

If they told me there was no room at the inn and I would have to sleep in the stables I’d be very, very happy. Just a glimpse into the historic 100-year-old stables building converted into an inner-city residence for an Auckland family by New Zealand architects RTA Studio.