A cottage in a forest

I spotted this year-round cottage on Décormag yesterday and had to share because this is my dream summer getaway....except it needs to be lake-fronted. And maybe in a warmer climate, like Mexico. ;) This stunner is located in the Eastern Townships of Québec and was designed by Atelier Barda. I am dying over the black stained wood exterior, and the simplicity of the interior is all you need in a second residence. And a must in a dwelling with surroundings this beautiful - those large windows framing scenes of the forest as art. (Photos: Yves Lefebvre)

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A loft in a former garment factory

Fridays should be about good things, and lofts are reeeeeally good things. I will be featuring 2 lofts today, and this one is an absolute dream of exposed brick, beams and columns, modern additions and the coolest concrete wall. This 2,000 sqf renovation of a former garment factory floor in New York’s Lower East Side serves as a casual 1-bedroom loft apartment for the owner, and a place to entertain and relax. The layout provides a maximum of open studio space and a secluded sleep and bath area. Inspired by the rustic materials in the previous manufacturing space , the aesthetics of the loft combines rough and simple materials with bold industrial objects and colors. Architect: Anima Photos: Chuck Choi

Stalking exposed brick

I'm in Redfern in inner-city Sydney and I'm stalking what appears to be your typical historical terrace house ... until you go inside. Holy exposed brick Batman! That must have been some sandblasting job. The 1880s building now has an industrial vibe over 3 levels. I'm not sure how I feel about this house. I want to believe that it is the photography that has me holding back because I love it on the video. Link here while it lasts.

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Miniloft

That photo above is a dream - an empty, raw loft space to convert into living quarters. Attila F.Kovács and Zsuzsa Megyesi are the architect/interior designer duo of A+Z Design Studio (I believe they're based in Budapest) that transformed this space into a rustic, cozy home filled with well-worn vintage touches and industrial lighting, as seen below. Those windows alone would have sold me.  

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Let's do lunch

Yes? Somewhere with great food and atmosphere? Lots of people to gawk at. Lots of design ideas to steal from the restaurant fitout. Cool! I'll meet you at Usine in Stockholm, a restaurant concept by designer Richard Lindvall. A choice of bistro, cafe and bar areas all with a Scandi minimal meets industrial vibe. Concrete, steel, leather, wood and tiles are on the menu. Delicious.

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