Embraced by glass

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.

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Michel Arnaud

Is it just me or do Mondays get tougher to get through closer to the holidays? I'd rather be finishing my shopping or doing some baking, but instead I'm stuck in my cubicle WORKING. I am in desperate need of a distraction. I think the portfolio of New York photographer Michel Arnaud will have me thinking about fabulous interiors instead of all the other stuff I should be thinking about. :-)

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Monday's pets on furniture

If you'd like to send me photos to include in next week's "pets on furniture" post, please ensure your photos follow my basic rules: First, the pet must be on a piece of furniture. And said piece of furniture must be clearly visible in the photo, so it takes center stage rather than your pet. Think of it more of a photo of a great piece of furniture that you want to show off...and your pet happens to be sitting on it. And second, the photo must be of decent quality. If it's dark or fuzzy then it may not make the cut. Photos, your name, location and a brief description can be sent to desiretoinspirekim@hotmail.com and PLEASE don't send closeups of your pet! Thanks!

this is my sweet little Dante, an italian greyhound pup. He loves good design and sunbathing on his favourite Bertoia.
- Juan (Barcelona)

This photo was taken about six years ago of my greyhound, Ender the only time he ever got on my sofa! He never even tried to get on my sofa and he was such a gentleman. So I had to take a photo. Apparently he used to get on the sofa of his babysitter at her house and it was OK. This was my very first sofa and I don't have it or much of the furniture in the photo anymore. But I wanted to post this because early Thanksgiving morning last week, I had to send my sweet (13-1/2 year old) Ender to the Rainbow Bridge. He was the gentlest, sweetest loyal spirit I have ever known.
- Sparky

His name is hank. 7 months old. Adler pillow. Modernica easy chair.
- Michael (Ottawa)

This is Walter, our 5-year-old bearded collie/terrier mix (?) who loves to sit here by the radiator and watch the squirrels. He is sitting on an antique stool, covered in a sheepskin to protect it. 
- Sarah (Massachusetts)

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Civico Quattro

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.

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Malatesta Maison

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.

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