Zash

It's a Monday. I want to escape the working week. Time to runaway to a luxury getaway faraway, at least in my dreams. Zash is, the the hotel's own words "a country boutique hotel where historical fragments meet a contemporary taste, in an 'elegantly quiet' project, to let nature's physicality emerge, to respect our past vestige and to satisfy our traveller's needs. A place which is refined in its rooms, rural in its context and vital for the soul."

Old meets new in a startling juxtaposition that makes each element stronger. Clean, minimalist lines enhance the crumbling stone shell of the original building. Perched on the hillside amidst citrus trees Zash is in eastern Sicily in the province of Catania. A building of contrasts just like Sicily is a land of contrasts, hulking Mt Etna and crystal blue seas, barren lava and rich agricultural land, where the warmth of stone meets sleek manmade finishes, rugged and luxe.

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Reader's home - Ely's light-filled villa in Bali

Ely Gordeeva is an architect and decorator and painter from Russia now residing in the most wonderful villa in Ubud, Bali. Ely designed her Balinese home and it's filled with light, warmth and a bit of whimsy - the DIY light fixture over the dining table is so cute! (Do you think she'd want to switch places over the winter??!!)

High roof saves the cool air inside the house - the floor is gipsum - woven mat of palm leaf in living room

to have more light in the room I decided not to make cabinets under the countertop - love this colourful woven dining chairs from Java

VEGETARIAN LAMP  made by me

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Decus

Beautifully considered and refined. Minimalist luxury and stylish clarity. With an an exquisite shell by architect Luigi Rosselli, Alexandra Donohoe of Decus had two days preparation and two weeks notice to carefully curate the interiors of  this Sydney home. Definitely no ruffled feathers from the rush just sublime simplicity.

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What happens when hipsters move to the burbs

An unremarkable suburban brick and tile semi-detached 80s/90s house. Neatly painted white. You'd probably drive on by. But catch a glance through the windows (as all good stalkers do) and things are not quite as they seem. This is what happens when hipsters move to the burbs. An open plan redo with lashes of white and wood, concrete and black. Throw in scandi style furniture and accessories, expose the rafters and you would hardly imagine that you are 26km south of the Sydney CBD. This is why I love stalking. You never know what's going on behind those staid facades. Link here while it lasts.

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Capri Suite

Located on the Italian island of Capri, Capri Suite is a modernized 2 suite hotel designed by ZETASTUDIO Architects. It was originally part of the St. Micheles’ convent built in the XVII century, and the juxtaposition of the rustic architecture with modern furnishings makes this a pretty funky hotel IMHO. 

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