Umbria

Ah Umbria! Beautiful, beautiful Umbria! If I had won the lottery last week I would be winging my way to Italy right now. Escaping the incessant torrential rain swamping Queensland. I know it is not summer over in Italy right now but I'm prepared to rough it through the winter at Castello di Reschio. That way all will be ready for your visit when the weather warms up. 5 bedrooms, might have to wheel in a few trundle beds. If I rent it from now to eternity you all might be able to make it for a week or two. Line starts on the left ;)

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Firmdale Hotels

To end of the week I thought I'd show some photos of one of the best designed hotels I've ever seen. The Firmdale hotels includes 6 London locations and a new one that opened in SoHo in October. "Firmdale Hotels' owners, Tim and Kit Kemp believe that 'hotels should be living things, not stuffy institutions'. Kit Kemp has designed all of the interiors in a fresh contemporary English style. Her mixture of colour and texture, modern and antique together with an impressive art collection, has combined to create a unique look and style." The colours and patterns are gorgeous and these rooms look SO comfortable I want to crawl through my monitor and into one of the beds.

Les Sources de Caudalie

Perhaps a Gustavian inspired home isn't you idea of the perfect place to relax. How about a stay at Les Sources de Caudalie, a hotel in France surrounded by vineyards and châteaux, offering cooking classes, wine tasting courses, and a vinotherapy spa - treatments that combine naturally warm spring water with vine and grape extracts. Oh my...sign me up!!

(via AT Casa)

Milan anyone?

Feel like a short break? Want to join me in Milan? Should we take these three private luxury apartments, each with their own separate entrance right in the heart of Milan. Like an ode to 20th century design 3 Rooms mixes vintage classics with art and high design. I wonder if we can book for fashion week? Better still when are the sales? Images from here.

Hotel Saint Cecilia

Jackie Caradonio wrote us yesterday with the following: "I'm always checking out Desire to Inspire for great images and great interiors as I am an interiors/architectural photographer. I love when you showcase great photographers as it gives me something to strive toward. =) Anyway, I photographed this little 14-room hotel in Austin, Texas, called the Hotel Saint Cecilia recently and thought the interiors were so fun that you guys might be interested in taking a look. Lots of original, vintage pieces mixed with new, hip décor. I'd be honored if you guys wanted to show them on the blog." WOWZERS. This hotel is so chic, glamourous and fun, and the photos are fantastic. Thanks so much for sharing these with us Jackie! (Check out her website here).