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Maurice Padovani

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Sometimes I take a sharp breath and release it slowly and softly through my pursed lips as I'm web surfing. Sometimes I find a place that is so perfect for me that there are no words. Sometimes my dreams come to life and jump from my computer screen. Sometimes I find an interior designer that has "it". Maurice Padovani has looked inside my mind and teased out a house that ticks all my boxes without ever having met me. There is one problem though. He built it in Marseilles, France not Australia. I'd have thought if he could read my mind without ever having met me he could get that right too. Oh well I'll just have to move to the South of France. Life is tough ;)

P.S. For those who found the OSB (oriented strand board) a little overpowering in a previous post, here it is again only "whitewashed".


Monday's pets on furniture

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If you'd like to send us photos to include in next week's "pets on furniture" post, please ensure your photos follow our basic rules: First, the pet must be on a piece of furniture. And said piece of furniture must be clearly visible in the photo, so it takes center stage rather than your pet. Think of it more of a photo of a great piece of furniture that you want to show off...and your pet happens to be sitting on it. And second, the photo must be of decent quality. If it's dark or fuzzy (from a camera phone) then it may not make the cut. Thanks! (Photos, your name, location and a brief description can be sent to  desiretoinspirekim@hotmail.com and PLEASE don't send closeups of your pet!)

Our dear friend Paige took picts of our new boy
In our new house
Of course keeping him on this stool was nearly impossible
I’m not even sure he would fit now
Samson is a boxer mix we found at the post office.
Total dude. Totally in love.
- Andria (Denver CO)

bella- my assistant. bella likes to investigate anything different, rearranged furniture, flowers, or anything new that comes into our home. here she wants to climb on the ladder for a closer look.
- Cheryl

This is my carved wood Louis the XVI nailhead chair covered with Belgium linen and my 14 year old little white Schnauzer Oliver. He loves chairs!
- Patricia (Dallas)

Shades of light and dark - Jiun Ho

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Light versus dark. Asian references counterbalanced by a modern western aesthetic. Masculine but definitely not macho. Tailored, elegant and with a touch of whimsy. Earthy and tactile. Smooth and structured. The yin and yang of interior designer Jiun Ho.

Porch house

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I have a spectacular home to share with you all today. It's the creation of architecture firm Hufft Projects (they also have a custom fabrication studio called Make Studios) based in Kansas City, Missouri which only began 5 years ago. The firm sent along a bunch of photos along with some details: The clients desired a residence that referenced the traditional forms of farmhouses but also spoke to something distinctly modern. A hybrid building emerged and the Porch Housegreets visitors with its namesake - a large east and south facing ten foot cantilevering canopy that provides dramatic cover. I am always drawn to spaces and designs that are a mixture of styles, and this mix of traditional/country and modern is phenomenal and inspiring.

Tilton Fenwick

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It's pattern on pattern, colour, layering, bold and quirky touches. It's casual yet chic, elegant but slightly screwy. It's WASP chic with a kick of fun, high and low and just darned pretty. It's interior design duo of the moment Suysel DePedro Cunningham and Anne Maxwell Foster of Tilton Fenwick.

  

Quotel

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Back in November I blogged the office of mode:lina, an architecture firm based in Poland. They emailed us recently with one of their latest projects - an apartment designed for guests visiting the Poznań International Fair. It's called the QUOTEL (combination of the words "quote" and "hotel"). This specific customer defines the nature of this apartment - at the crossroads of hotel features and relaxed homely atmosphere. The challenge was to use easily replaceable parts (here:IKEA) and create a space that definitely stands out among other similar offers on the market. Designers faithful to the principle of crossing-over, combined catalogue elements with custom-made ones to create an affordable and durable design giving the impression of tailored interior. I dig the modern minimalism with great use of Ikea products, colour that adds some life, and the phrases on the walls are a fun, cheap and at times cheeky form of artwork. (Oh, and those floors!!)


***Totally off topic: My parents, twin sister and I are having a garage sale tomorow out in Cumberland (parents' house - they have the longest driveway, from 8am-noonish) so you can stop at the Cumberland Market, pick up some fruits and veggies, then drive up the road about 100 feet and come check out our junk!!

  

Design Crew

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Got a problem? Need some help? Just standing there shaking your head? Don't know what to do? You're not alone. Send us a link to photos of your design quandary and let the Desire to Inspire design crew help you .... that's you lot ... the readers!

Arnold emailed, "A couple friends and I recently acquired a 700sq/ft beautiful old classroom with original slate blackboards and large windows to use as a design studio space. We realize the space has so much potential to be super amazing but are overwhelmed by the options as we are not experienced with interior design. I would like some ideas from you and from your readers as to what we should do with the space ... (we are) mainly looking for ideas in terms of wall treatment?"

Look at those blackboards! Imagine what Dana Tanamachi could do to those! I know you will come up with great ideas for Arnold and his friends. In the meantime I'm heading back to bed. I have put my back out and have orders for 5 days bed rest with lots of drugs. Like the idea of doctor enforced time in bed. Don't like the idea of the drugs ... much ;)

Hot stuff!

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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!)

  


Waterfall factory

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Breathtaking. Simply breathtaking. A lake, a waterfall, a 1950s factory refurbished into a minimalist space that reaches out to a wooded wonderland through walls of glass. References to its industrial past are complemented by the sparse interiors but what could be cold is brought to life by that view. Fitout and furnishings are simple. The art graphic and strong. Breathtaking. Simply breathtaking. (Thanks to Lisa for the link.)

Freedom Summer 2011

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Last week I flew to Sydney for the launch of Freedom's Summer 2011 range. Earlier this year they relaunched their look taking Freedom from dowdy and forgotten to fun and fashionable. Even though Freedom paid for my fares and accommodation I'm not the kinda gal who waxes lyrical about a brand unless I think it is great. This is everyday furniture for everyday Aussies (and New Zealanders) with a clever, quirky and stylish vibe. What really caught my attention was their limited edition range (and I really mean limited as the last season's limited pieces sold out quickly). A chinoiserie patterned canopy chair in bold red, an in your face ketchup coloured wingback that is willowy at the same time, a midnight black leather wingback and ottoman so matt that it is almost stealthy and a canapé that is a quirky and stylish statement piece. The set of Jack and Jill ottomans are sure to be a hit too. And the prices are great. (I "borrowed" one of the only two catalogues in existance to snap what you can expect to pay.)

  

So many other pieces caught my eye. There are wonderful hammered metal coffee tables and side tables as well as a chunky, boxy leather sofa. The Asia Daze range is rich with red and black lacquers and asian influenced homewares. Great vintage posters, larger than life floor lamps, cute rugs and a narrow dining table perfect for limited space. Team the table up with turquoise stools and it's love at first sight. Summer bright outdoor settings and clever wooden screens and box seats are perfect for apartment balconies. The Freedom designers have come up with a great range. The night was styled by Megan Morton who kept me entertained from the moment she urged me to drink up my pineapple cocktail as she walked me through the range. Hi to Lisa from The Red Thread and lovely finally putting a face to stylist Heather Nette King. Thanks Freedom. I had a fab time and the range is super! Release is timed for August 22. Until then you can see more after the jump ...

Monday's pets on furniture - part 1

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If you'd like to send us photos to include in next week's "pets on furniture" post, please ensure your photos follow our basic rules: First, the pet must be on a piece of furniture. And said piece of furniture must be clearly visible in the photo, so it takes center stage rather than your pet. Think of it more of a photo of a great piece of furniture that you want to show off...and your pet happens to be sitting on it. And second, the photo must be of decent quality. If it's dark or fuzzy (from a camera phone) then it may not make the cut. Thanks! (Photos, your name, location and a brief description can be sent to  desiretoinspirekim@hotmail.com and PLEASE don't send closeups of your pet!)

Here is a picture of Harry relaxing on a sunny afternoon in San Francisco!
- Sandy

Our 8.5 year old Saint Bernard Moose just had a bath and he knows it's the only time he's allowed on the sofa. Even his drool is no match for our 10 year old White IKEA Göteborg slipcover sofa!
Hansy, our 13 year old white "tiger" day dreams of chasing zebras in the jungle while resting high atop his throne...
- Cameron (Southern Virginia)

Here is our cat Fluff - who likes to perch up high on our mantelpiece.
- Christa and Graham (England)

Photo of Brooklyn, our Border Collie looking quite alert on our tweed lemon-lime colored sofa.
-Stephanie (Fountain Valley, California)

Monday's pets on furniture - part 2

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If you'd like to send us photos to include in next week's "pets on furniture" post, please ensure your photos follow our basic rules: First, the pet must be on a piece of furniture. And said piece of furniture must be clearly visible in the photo, so it takes center stage rather than your pet. Think of it more of a photo of a great piece of furniture that you want to show off...and your pet happens to be sitting on it. And second, the photo must be of decent quality. If it's dark or fuzzy (from a camera phone) then it may not make the cut. Thanks! (Photos, your name, location and a brief description can be sent to  desiretoinspirekim@hotmail.com and PLEASE don't send closeups of your pet!)

Please find attached an image of Lily the Graham’s dog – who often models for us on shoots
- Lizzy

Sweet pea waiting for a friend.
- Jill

This is Sprout - posing regally on a chair that belonged to my grandfather.
- Emily (Brooklyn, NY)

This is Dexter, a shepherd/husky rescue.  He's not allowed on the living room furniture but he constantly leans on the furniture and looks at us as if to say "technically mom, I'm not ON it".  The sofa is super comfy and big from Urban Barn, the end tables are from Crate and Barrel, the blue velvet curtains are from Ikea, and the blanket I made myself.

This second picture was allowed only for Desire to Inspire and it took me 10 minutes to convince him to get up on the chair!
The third picture is of Dexter sneaking a peak of the Desire to Inspire site!  If I'm too engrossed in an article he lays his head on the keyboard to remind me he's there. Plus he has his own dog blog at www.dextersdays.com so he prefers me to read his blog :)
- Angela (Oshawa, Ontario)

Photographer crushing on Armelle Habib

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Oh I love Armelle Habib's photos. Love. Clean and crisp. Bright and fresh. Pretty and precious without being "precious" if you know what I mean.  It is so easy to see her passion in her shots. I'm drawn to her details and how she focuses in on the quiet spot of a room. All may be chaos just out of shot but within her compositions all is calm, all is gentle. (It's not hard to see why I love the first few shots. They are of Melbourne stylist Heather Nette King's gorgeous home. Hey Heather!)

  

  

  

  

Tablescapes

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Last month I mentioned in this post that Manvi was holding a tablescaping design camp at the Mitchel Gold + Bob Williams showroom in DC. Manvi gave us access to a bunch of photos that were snapped at the event. The results, both for formal and informal gatherings, are really beautiful and inspirational...especially for someone like me who has absolutely no clue how to decorate a table.

Something old, something new

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I have another Shoot Factory location home in London for you all today. This time it's a wonderful juxtaposition of old and new. A stone house that looks to be about 200 years old filled with modern and mid century furnishings makes for an funky and eclectic space. Love the floors and retro trailer in the yard.


Faded luxury

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Thank goodness that week is over. I seem to find myself musing over holiday getaways on Fridays. I wonder why? I smell rose and musk, orange blossom and exotic spice. Water gurgles and staff whisper just out of earshot. There is  rhythmic music slowly pulsing somewhere in the riad but here in the salon it is cool and dark, peaceful but oh so decadent. From the rooftop terraces the view extends across the city to the Atlas Mountains. Perhaps it's time to sun like a cat by the pool. Life is just too difficult isn't it? Dar Darma in Marrakech via Welcome Beyond.

Swanwick Ranch

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Swanwick Ranch is considered one of the finest luxury oceanfront estates in Canada; a residence that has been featured in professional architectural and design publications around the globe. It is a masterpiece of contemporary architecture that has received national architecture acclaim for design. Custom designed for it’s current owners, the residence is a perfect retreat for families seeking a refuge from the pulse of modern life. It is situated on a majestic 68-acre gently sloping oceanfront property in the rural community of Metchosin, British Columbia with over 1,400 feet of low-bank oceanfront.

One of the social aspects of the design of the home is the ability to interact between spaces quite readily, such that even though the home is very large there are opportunities via balconies and bridges and interconnected spaces to have moments of conversation or eye contact across very large distances, which bring occupants the feeling of being close together even though each may be in their own retreat space.

AH MAH GAWD

 

Saturday shop ... The Society Inc

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I only managed to fit in a few shops when I was in Sydney just over a week ago. Don't ask ... after all your marvelous suggestions I threw my back out and could barely walk. One shop I HAD to visit was Sibella Court's The Society Inc. Amazing! This wunderkammer of a shop is a must see on your Sydney travels. Two tiny rooms in a bijou Paddington terrace. Two tiny rooms packed to the rafters with the unusual, the quirky, the weird and the beautiful. Like a bowerbird's nest. Like an old hardware store. Like a step back in time. Like a dream. Only Sibella could pull it all together and make it work. On a wet, miserable day I was giddy with excitement.  (Apologies again for my point and click pics. One day I'll buy a decent camera. Have promised myself a fabulous rug first :P)

  

  

A couple new shops

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Last week we had a couple new advertisers join with us and I wanted to give them a shout out today before I head out for our traditional Sunday breakfast at the pub (there is nothing like some grease and garlic butter potatoes after a looooong week).

First up is Kitchen Art Studio. This studio is made up of George, an advertising photographer with 30 years experience, and his daughter Amanda, a recent graduate from NY University Tisch School of the Arts. During the day they work on advertising photography and when they're not doing that they're creating imagery for your walls at affordable prices (and they even come framed!). Check out some of my favourites below.

  

Stalking a suburban tardis

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Doctor Who fans will know the secret of the tardis. Bigger on the inside than it appears on the out. Who could imagine such high open spaces could be lurking behind this narrow single fronted house in Port Melbourne? A clever extension lifts the space to follow the roof pitch and seamlessly melds the inside and out. Features that speak to me are the  two "open" bathrooms, the way light is brought into the centre of the house through a series of pitched skylights and a clever open garden room. Link here while it lasts.

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