Chilean beauty

I couldn't resist. I had to share more fabulous images from photographer Fran Parente's portfolio. This time he has captured the essence of this Santiago, Chile house by architect Mathias Klotz. Dark yet bright. Modern with a touch of retro. Love the bike hung from that amazing staircase, the street presence of the building, the lower position of the windows in the bedroom as well as the run of book underneath. South American design is so hot right now and so are their photographers.

  

  

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Anouk B

  

There is something hypnotic about the work of Dutch stylist Anouk B. Repetition of a minimalist colour palette of black, white, brown and the occasional escape of green. Sparse furnishings always counterbalanced by natural textures. It's calm. It's zen like. It's beautiful in its carefully curated way. Simplicity at its best. Photography by the incomparable Marjon Hoogervorst.

  

  

  

  

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Hot stuff!

We received photos of another Shoot Factory home last week and I figured while temperatures are scorching here in Ottawa (it was 117 on Thursday) I'd share this hot, steamy and very over-the-top London home - and for lots more photos check out the feature here.
(Before I go, I'd like to tell my husband Jeff that I love him a ton and happy first wedding anniversary babe!!! If we can make it through this upcoming massive house renovation project then the rest is gravy!)

  

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BLACK & POOLE

Please pardon me if you find me fixated on dark hued rooms in the next few weeks. My sample pots are on their way and the painter starts in a few weeks. Excited? Maybe. No really am I excited? Maybe. Really? OK I can't wait! I'm turning to the dark side in a very big way. And this lovely home? Look at those black walls. So warm when teamed with the creams and off whites. Lovely textures, splash of colour here or there, cute window treatment ideas (stealing that simple button top roll up blind idea). Interiors by Gretchen Kubiak of BLACK & POOLE. (Photography by Jason Varney).

  

  

  

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It's not always black and white

Found something interesting when stalking this week. Architect designed renovation in St Kilda, Melbourne. Spacious modern extension, lovely courtyard garden leading to a rear garage/studio. Architect Matt Gibson. A quick click over to Mr Gibson's website and there is the house again but just a little different (after the jump). The rear is still the same (minus the modern stools, statues now complete the space). The family/TV room is still the same. Kitchen stools have changed but the bowl on the counter is still there. The biggest difference is the dining room. Chalk and cheese. Black and white. Definitely not the same. Not even the same taste. Then there is the striped living room which doesn't appear at all on the architect's site or fit the vibe of the house as depicted on Gibson's site. We do though on the architect's website get a chance to peek at the lovely front courtyard garden. So what has happened between the architect taking photos for his portfolio and the real estate agent snapping slightly blurry photos for the listing? Did the architect not like the client's aesthetic and did a little editing of furniture and spaces? Has the owner "matured" in taste over the time? After all we all change our minds over time when it comes to our rooms. Is it a divorce and the wife can finally go all girly ... still in black and white though? A girl who stalks the real estate listings and spends her time staring through the "virtual" curtains needs to know these things :) What's your theory?

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