My house still wants to be this house

Hooray! I found more photos of the house my house wants to be when it grows up (see here). Design by Strangetrader (Andrea Duff and Robert Schwamberg you are amazing!), photos by Prue Ruscoe for Vogue Living. I have the issue. It's dog eared and has saliva from my drooling. 

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Ellis House

A sweet dream, an escape, a wish and a wonder. Welcome to Ellis House, the country retreat of Aussie bedding queen Tracie Ellis. The Creative Director of AURA has fashioned a beautiful weekend escape at Kyneton in regional Victoria. Oh my! Oh my! You can rent it out! I would be in residence every other weekend if I lived close by. Moody, overflowing with country charm (and AURA homewares) and just fabulous! But of course. You wouldn't expect anything else from Tracie.

P.S. The amazing photography is by Sharyn Cairns.

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Ross Honeysett

I really appreciate great photography, and it is so evident that Ross Honeysett is a photography genius. His portfolio is absolutely magical - and of course I am particularly fond of his selection of spaces....especially this first grouping. He works with dim lighting like no other. Amazing. 

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A kitchen that has it all

I came across this kitchen by Barry Rice and found it intriguing....in a mostly love/little bit 'o hate way. Here are some details: The kitchen of this single-family brownstone in Brooklyn’s historic Clinton Hill neighborhood underwent a dramatic transformation. Small windows were replaced with accordion-folding glass doors that open to a screened dining area, and a warren of pantries was removed to create a large, open cooking and entertaining space. The working side of the kitchen features distinct zones for prep, cooking, baking and clean-up, and the guest side includes a bar, counter seating and a built-in sofa. Stainless counters and subway tile are practical and easy to clean, while walnut cabinetry and a stone island and baking top add warmth to the space. 

The amount of space is a dream. I am a lover of subway tiles (but with darker grout, and maybe not on every wall space). Great idea to line up all the ovens/microwave etc. down on one end so when you're taking food in and out you don't get in anyone's way. Cooktops in the island is great for the cook so they can stir and chat. The rod for pots and pans is handy (as are TWO SINKS) if you keep them clean. Another dream - having enough room for a coffee/bar area, built-in sofa and shelving for dry goods/spices. I don't think I would ever do a stainless counter - the scratches would send me over the edge (although seamless counter/sinks would be awesome when cleaning up).  3 types of counter material and all those stainless cabinets is too much in my opinion. I'm curious to know what you all think.....

Still stalking

I'm in St Kilda, Melbourne and I'm so attracted to the bones of this old building. A great blank canvas to create the dream apartment. A bit more layering, a touch more colour (but not too much), a rug or two to showcase the beauty of those old floors and a look that is less "home staged" and more stylin' home. Yes please! Link here while it lasts.

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