OMG ...

... what were they thinking? A study in the bathroom? Forget the idea of a parents' retreat, even a phone by the toilet or a TV above the bath. Is this taking it a bit far? The only person I know how corresponded from the bathroom met a sticky (or should that be soggy) end. I'll be back with more retro bathing beauties from Making the most of Bedrooms & Bathrooms, by Mary Gilliatt, Orbis Publishing, London, 1983 later in the week.

Misool Eco Resort

Marit, a DTI regular, wrote us recently about her resort in Indonesia and we had to share this dreamy place with everyone. Those of you living through a terrible winter (like myself), I am warning you that the photos below might result in a few tears shed so I recommend having a tissue on hand. "Your blog has been a big inspiration to me as we've been designing our resort and home in West Papua, Indonesia. We're an eco resort in the true sense of the word, using only reclaimed wood in the construction of our 11 cottages, dive shop, restaurant, and pier. I could go on and on about that stuff, but I think the aspect that might be of most interest to you is our Water Cottages, designed by UK-born but Australian-based architect Viv Faithfull at WH Architects in Melbourne. There are 8 of them built on stilts over a tranquil lagoon."

"I designed the sideboard in the first photo and our Javanese craftsmen built it. It took 18 men to move it into place! The rattan furniture was made in one of the local villages. Together with Conservation International, we made a project to bring rattan artisans from Bali to Papua. The local villagers now have an income that doesn't rely on unsustainable exploitation of marine resources. And we have great, locally made furniture!"

*sniffle sniffle* See? I told you! Thanks so much Marit for sharing your incredible home with us. Maybe one day....

Happy weekend everyone!

...and wishing I was here...

Architectural Digest

...instead of here....

Narrow homes

First I would like to say a quick congratulations to my lil' sis Jen who got engaged last week. Her fiance Dave occasionally sends me links to photos and stories he thinks I may want to post on the blog. This one I HAD to post. I have mentionned that I have a very narrow house, being about 12' 2" wide, but the structures below are ridiculously narrow. I may never complain again about how annoying it is to decorate my narrow house. The first is in Paris, and the rest are in Japan where space is CLEARLY at a premium. (Thanks Dave, soon to be bro-in-law!)

David Jimenez , at it again

I've posted about David Jimenez in the past, here and here, and he's gone and done it again. He sent over some incredible photos of his latest project in Palm Springs. Mid-century meets Hollywood Regency - stunning furnishings, lighting and colours that mesh together so gloriously. Fabulous!! So David, when can I move in??