Magnificent Home Improvements

Christmas, the Miles Redd way

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">While looking for images through my files for my earlier post I remembered this house that was designed by the glamorous <a href="http://milesredd.com/portfolio.php">Miles Redd</a>. This house was featured in last year's December issue of Elle Decor and I love that its holiday decor is grand and festive yet easy to execute.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_HQOwKg42_071s0op8OdDW_TKDGyPbtoNxo-6vRm0obxNURDwQsVQ2puULjYlTZ2_MKbfxp88tdqoit7G8zGnr-wtMoHcXmwDkVYVt1VrSGL_orHpm0OgBRQptdR2d-ZRzI8FpH0Nn0/s1600/home-interior-design-ED1209--002.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="630" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545482691100214914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_HQOwKg42_071s0op8OdDW_TKDGyPbtoNxo-6vRm0obxNURDwQsVQ2puULjYlTZ2_MKbfxp88tdqoit7G8zGnr-wtMoHcXmwDkVYVt1VrSGL_orHpm0OgBRQptdR2d-ZRzI8FpH0Nn0/s400/home-interior-design-ED1209--002.jpg" width="502" /></a></div>  <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0EcuGkQdunWAZ_AOBMfGf4HOaGnkseYhdCkooMygA-sE-a79PCVXV6KISXOpFmWSfXpMKm9nAo4GN537N_tzKqEo_LfyDBKi1d7UbnOMNaqcGCwlMJeSMnVKHueInuz9-8brdvCeWlw/s1600/Mies+Redd+christmas+decoration.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="610" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545482465174298130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0EcuGkQdunWAZ_AOBMfGf4HOaGnkseYhdCkooMygA-sE-a79PCVXV6KISXOpFmWSfXpMKm9nAo4GN537N_tzKqEo_LfyDBKi1d7UbnOMNaqcGCwlMJeSMnVKHueInuz9-8brdvCeWlw/s400/Mies+Redd+christmas+decoration.jpg" width="509" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbxJdCw_2yLLH4qD7LdzU2H0YdiCybYLRyUx4tPcYBKLWduGseGvvctuaY0VtkT6PR6En7mgqHJXqSKa0arpjp8EheNxosh4E6YH7eCkMroAcEcVB8uP-dVW22Mu7bTuDP41qRpRIHgU/s1600/home-interior-design-ED1209--008.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545482443309069922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbxJdCw_2yLLH4qD7LdzU2H0YdiCybYLRyUx4tPcYBKLWduGseGvvctuaY0VtkT6PR6En7mgqHJXqSKa0arpjp8EheNxosh4E6YH7eCkMroAcEcVB8uP-dVW22Mu7bTuDP41qRpRIHgU/s400/home-interior-design-ED1209--008.jpg" width="512" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9kRFcaJqQhs1uM7TMoYZTwKN-7JzGt2IHAz-iFg33xcmpde1P4op7sTvB2_dE28DIoHrY_90e88SvkV9MLHQN9MyTEH-ghwkCn9We5SPOFicCSaHCGt_Egn7EkGHYTGCccoLgisEhiJY/s1600/home-interior-design-ED1209--006.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545482436813282946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9kRFcaJqQhs1uM7TMoYZTwKN-7JzGt2IHAz-iFg33xcmpde1P4op7sTvB2_dE28DIoHrY_90e88SvkV9MLHQN9MyTEH-ghwkCn9We5SPOFicCSaHCGt_Egn7EkGHYTGCccoLgisEhiJY/s400/home-interior-design-ED1209--006.jpg" style="height: 390px; width: 470px;" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAT5jOL-S3vnH_b0w9jtvdA367Z-ayNqeC344S1mH1U6WtyGMv8TM0MUAEKhzUfvaJucEw-0-jLBIyoRkg8ogL9UQEzNxhh9748-7LqChOhPBHEOLHwHTjvw4frgp5hjeX9v0eiDKAxM/s1600/home-interior-design-ED1209--001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545482434121660962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAT5jOL-S3vnH_b0w9jtvdA367Z-ayNqeC344S1mH1U6WtyGMv8TM0MUAEKhzUfvaJucEw-0-jLBIyoRkg8ogL9UQEzNxhh9748-7LqChOhPBHEOLHwHTjvw4frgp5hjeX9v0eiDKAxM/s400/home-interior-design-ED1209--001.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 390px; width: 470px;" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixaC7sS8g4ugdy9lHPgjWoQcZDVfTr4IbTHP9SNT79YYGkOkyVOMFnzdVM-EUYmHOQ7GINVu13iIbmIpw-ge0NM7QUkx_Tt1anSuLp-2WJMq4g1WrcyZnFrklUPKvy1xO9JlQt-IESexw/s1600/home-interior-design-ED1209--012.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545482452454687650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixaC7sS8g4ugdy9lHPgjWoQcZDVfTr4IbTHP9SNT79YYGkOkyVOMFnzdVM-EUYmHOQ7GINVu13iIbmIpw-ge0NM7QUkx_Tt1anSuLp-2WJMq4g1WrcyZnFrklUPKvy1xO9JlQt-IESexw/s400/home-interior-design-ED1209--012.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 390px; width: 470px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">All images from <a href="http://www.elledecor.com/home-remodeling/articles/glamorous-renovation">Elle Decor</a>.  If you didn't get to see this home you can read about it <a href="http://www.elledecor.com/home-remodeling/articles/glamorous-renovation">here</a>.</div></div></div>

Christmas, the Miles Redd way

While looking for images through my files for my earlier post I remembered this house that was designed by the glamorous Miles Redd . This h...

2:59 PM

Christmas eye candy

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnz6UQoWaYofPjlcLlkg9Sq3s1V5MnE-T-b91cfsPT5QJEhElRE2UvZow91PlD9e6HhW2uEHhSnSBDxxGgRlwB5aM5MfKapi1sQpBUEOVxs7V8_ELUo7n9G7iTwJibaJfCRfVgpOR068/s1600/home%252Bcompanion1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="690" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545350311584225986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnz6UQoWaYofPjlcLlkg9Sq3s1V5MnE-T-b91cfsPT5QJEhElRE2UvZow91PlD9e6HhW2uEHhSnSBDxxGgRlwB5aM5MfKapi1sQpBUEOVxs7V8_ELUo7n9G7iTwJibaJfCRfVgpOR068/s400/home%252Bcompanion1.jpg" width="474" /></a></div>  <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg73NTMDLtq0TkazWkgiHZASYcaj1KIgsKXx78Ut6Ktc7T2SZeI2zdPF7BObx8Omjsdhmn11q3Of4mmfB3rEI24ZnxCVJV3-JBn1czSzZQFj5S4tlD3kbL2pZvEpRcjFChPIBvVucX3Dk/s1600/country-living-vintage-ornaments.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545350304984400674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg73NTMDLtq0TkazWkgiHZASYcaj1KIgsKXx78Ut6Ktc7T2SZeI2zdPF7BObx8Omjsdhmn11q3Of4mmfB3rEI24ZnxCVJV3-JBn1czSzZQFj5S4tlD3kbL2pZvEpRcjFChPIBvVucX3Dk/s400/country-living-vintage-ornaments.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>  <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbjUMRzQ0PRWWISXqlhCKaWXi2IN8Omcc_zAtrqmTXdYLMpV_Y6-QJmvk35onlv1A_FJkYWrhb7UaP6HlP4fmYQWZKowg_JnlWl_setHgQgxjGSwxVLerYKCt2gRymUfzAm_h-du1Apo/s1600/country+living+christmas.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545350293909173778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbjUMRzQ0PRWWISXqlhCKaWXi2IN8Omcc_zAtrqmTXdYLMpV_Y6-QJmvk35onlv1A_FJkYWrhb7UaP6HlP4fmYQWZKowg_JnlWl_setHgQgxjGSwxVLerYKCt2gRymUfzAm_h-du1Apo/s400/country+living+christmas.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>  <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8ZIqRZeYZ24l_fBvhugxbFYE1DhbXPjSKYy1mr3O1ffedAm1YtNvJIR-j0PXVnJRWjM9-g5TntVx7_4EbgDSQLSb7Uq-PjMtByW7vBgfFFZznSoItq-ScSGFz24bgFZm70FV6hJFc0U/s1600/aaaaasouthernliving1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="460" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545350291031340738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8ZIqRZeYZ24l_fBvhugxbFYE1DhbXPjSKYy1mr3O1ffedAm1YtNvJIR-j0PXVnJRWjM9-g5TntVx7_4EbgDSQLSb7Uq-PjMtByW7vBgfFFZznSoItq-ScSGFz24bgFZm70FV6hJFc0U/s400/aaaaasouthernliving1.jpg" width="460" /></a></div>  <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6eqO2Q805nQA6FlDZw5iNES-nZrINTY7SFuPki0-iCvw8Ff9v9nn574XMHFG1SpWibbZaX3-LZ7U9KbtQnFlQ95FJdPaxmRqcZseBlvkrDBzxe8Ax6vQwSlTNRgl6MKIM3bvqfjWsnBg/s1600/my+files.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545342437685058354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6eqO2Q805nQA6FlDZw5iNES-nZrINTY7SFuPki0-iCvw8Ff9v9nn574XMHFG1SpWibbZaX3-LZ7U9KbtQnFlQ95FJdPaxmRqcZseBlvkrDBzxe8Ax6vQwSlTNRgl6MKIM3bvqfjWsnBg/s400/my+files.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 383px; width: 470px;" /></a></div>  <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjjZnTY6V8eBrdyqpGFTobKmXTzss1wJFEuIyGgVND1yWKdmgSsNSpjxxtet-xotYrB-XKvOck-QNW8dbOXW3puYUqEgMk1bLdUVTvWtym3JWUe40GEDVmHEJiqU406eKUg9fmdbMuas/s1600/country%252Bliving%252Bchristmas%252B6.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545342434759300930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjjZnTY6V8eBrdyqpGFTobKmXTzss1wJFEuIyGgVND1yWKdmgSsNSpjxxtet-xotYrB-XKvOck-QNW8dbOXW3puYUqEgMk1bLdUVTvWtym3JWUe40GEDVmHEJiqU406eKUg9fmdbMuas/s400/country%252Bliving%252Bchristmas%252B6.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 527px; width: 498px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">As I mentioned before we're having a tree-less Christmas this year so I'm searching high and low for inspiration of little vignettes that can be easily created around the house.  I'm sure many people choose to do this when they have little children running around the house.  I hope these images get you inspired to have a beautiful Christmas even when not having a Christmas tree.  Enjoy<br /><br />Images from my file, Country Living, Southern Living and Home Companion.</div></div>

Christmas eye candy

As I mentioned before we're having a tree-less Christmas this year so I'm searching high and low for inspiration of little...

6:35 AM

A-la-Kelly

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Kelly Wearstler's <a href="http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod96880001&eItemId=prod96880001&cmCat=search&searchType=MAIN&parentId=&icid=&rte=search.jhtml%253FN%253D0%2526Ntt%253DKelly%252BWearstler%252BTabletop%2526_requestid%253D6597" target="_blank">tabletop</a> is impeccably beautiful and a great option now that we're approaching Christmas.  This collection will make a drop dead fabulous Christmas table, but at more than $100 a piece it is mostly out of reach.  But, I was glad to came across <a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/dining-and-entertaining/dinner-plates/dazzle-plates/f38886" target="_blank">this</a> new china by <a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/" target="_blank">Crate and Barrel</a> that creates a similar dazzling effect.  I think I found an alternative tabletop for my Christmas table.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeE5m79YRgKlEkVCPG7pbSKZ8u6Adcd_vVm1oGn7IPsdLmHRNN3SwDlegef13gk1xj_W3ZQdUZEsSdD2AawtAvRzh0WjruQTcvUxgIV8ImMEZMV9L6Qcpr3KLwWkyJtYhweVzo0q25ACM/s1600/kelly-dots_rect540-1.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="560" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544953505202114594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeE5m79YRgKlEkVCPG7pbSKZ8u6Adcd_vVm1oGn7IPsdLmHRNN3SwDlegef13gk1xj_W3ZQdUZEsSdD2AawtAvRzh0WjruQTcvUxgIV8ImMEZMV9L6Qcpr3KLwWkyJtYhweVzo0q25ACM/s400/kelly-dots_rect540-1.gif" width="500" /></a><br />  <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNCTTwHUE3hn52yQMfJTmYoxjhtYhg_QLh_ZO_Tgo3TeMuhi8QUkN_feKmvsB1YUrGUw8DdGhtM-ek2-5sr5qjFRw6OAql9Y7_6bobOopXNuvMkqTH-zdWXL3GpMPjyDKAUMrxH1RI1A/s1600/DazzlePlatesF10.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544953516701642994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNCTTwHUE3hn52yQMfJTmYoxjhtYhg_QLh_ZO_Tgo3TeMuhi8QUkN_feKmvsB1YUrGUw8DdGhtM-ek2-5sr5qjFRw6OAql9Y7_6bobOopXNuvMkqTH-zdWXL3GpMPjyDKAUMrxH1RI1A/s400/DazzlePlatesF10.jpg" style="height: 460px; width: 460px;" /></a></div></div>

A-la-Kelly

Kelly Wearstler's tabletop is impeccably beautiful and a great option now that we're approaching Christmas. This collection will m...

11:50 AM

The comfort zone

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I believe that the planning of a space cannot only rely on practicality while ignoring style, nor can it be vise versa. Comfort and beauty should harmoniously coexist. Like William Morris once said "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." I am truly convinced that our surroundings influence our beings and if we put in our homes only what we love based on comfort and functionality beauty will reveal itself. After all, having a warm, comfortably functional and beautiful home to come back to at the end of a long and hectic day, is what we all covet. Don't take me wrong, if I could afford a Claude Lalanne chair I'll maybe purchase one but I'll first make sure I have enough space to enjoy it more like a displayed chic piece of furniture rather than an everyday-use one.  These spaces below are chic without sacrificing comfort.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8mgDJhYvJGhpdePv6nhOOvcIsVvDuUhavC5kUlH89Mc4Z5gq2L1IEqpSfQucJOrYhWiVHgSNP0Li62kWvl9vkfgPCbK_w8cPDcwlKKjvyBKSoWnyL2B0rS8XvJGziYMU4o5G_9EdzUY/s1600/Vogue%252BLiving%252Bb.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543106316089960242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8mgDJhYvJGhpdePv6nhOOvcIsVvDuUhavC5kUlH89Mc4Z5gq2L1IEqpSfQucJOrYhWiVHgSNP0Li62kWvl9vkfgPCbK_w8cPDcwlKKjvyBKSoWnyL2B0rS8XvJGziYMU4o5G_9EdzUY/s400/Vogue%252BLiving%252Bb.jpg" width="443" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 85%;">Vogue Living</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDqfduy7V7rRvmLWIZJV8DXeFWHeqEnUuXBZr5rDYZojGRAsI5I73LmM_mXi3UehSRVrGdnbtyHFgOcthxj5-l4KQcJ-hv4BJIdWhxa6Anh9dGE2OHLugB0vCYRs6qqhpHjMT6zTXRBs/s1600/miles+redd+hb+july+2009+issue.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543106303020766866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDqfduy7V7rRvmLWIZJV8DXeFWHeqEnUuXBZr5rDYZojGRAsI5I73LmM_mXi3UehSRVrGdnbtyHFgOcthxj5-l4KQcJ-hv4BJIdWhxa6Anh9dGE2OHLugB0vCYRs6qqhpHjMT6zTXRBs/s400/miles+redd+hb+july+2009+issue.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 85%;">This room designed by <a href="http://bellevivir.blogspot.com/search/label/Miles%20Redd">Miles Redd</a></span> <span style="font-size: 85%;">has lots of pillows for the owners and guests to rest their back and upholstered furniture to provide comfort as well, the lacquered walls and orange coffee table bring in that chic factor. </span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBM-bxo_PIWPHVKrthM_Kdp_devaFNrx5l97kHAW9cGmVanJREzgYaS5XeVoY384wboX_2-b4OhMi5MoUJ-zVecJg6B89YK0lJJzY1LKzlmJNESEMnHIf8K8RbBwqT6rYfdzu7mqJikc/s1600/Frederic_fekkai_duplex_robert+couturier+_ed1010_03.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543106297969468338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBM-bxo_PIWPHVKrthM_Kdp_devaFNrx5l97kHAW9cGmVanJREzgYaS5XeVoY384wboX_2-b4OhMi5MoUJ-zVecJg6B89YK0lJJzY1LKzlmJNESEMnHIf8K8RbBwqT6rYfdzu7mqJikc/s400/Frederic_fekkai_duplex_robert+couturier+_ed1010_03.jpg" width="512" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 85%;"> <a href="http://www.robertcouturier.com/">Robert Couturier</a></span> <span style="font-size: 85%;">used a very comfortable couch and a very chic cocktail table as contrast </span><span style="font-size: 85%;">in Frederic Fekkai and wife's living room</span><span style="font-size: 85%;">. </span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_uZaGPJrn5n7XIdx42fc0173v5J9xfCD2AeZxc_1Y72mWKU4ZTxY13i1owvoV8d4_WV8l9eZB_2mbh2XSKy3oG8tgYCBTb7C6BQJkIJZdASY3qFO8AybLnGFvvaAl2F-evcojmy9PGg/s1600/3_Michael-smith-ed0510-04.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543106294066233826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_uZaGPJrn5n7XIdx42fc0173v5J9xfCD2AeZxc_1Y72mWKU4ZTxY13i1owvoV8d4_WV8l9eZB_2mbh2XSKy3oG8tgYCBTb7C6BQJkIJZdASY3qFO8AybLnGFvvaAl2F-evcojmy9PGg/s400/3_Michael-smith-ed0510-04.jpg" width="512" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 85%;">I just feel like cuddling in <a href="http://www.michaelsmithinc.com/">Michael Smith</a>'s yellow couch.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rP8KyU3b-6plxNZgVtHRv3mPOeGMB06uvHL27WKt3lrIqhv3yeCgtTlkEjjdDskOL2Pt8T2pn4JELMS8bFyj-ueDuSF37jLI-tlrmOz-r_BfDSDqeiarCYKbwDDqEqYaOAYamWmZhXY/s1600/3_1284736567_Megan_Mullally_ames+ignham_ed0910_03.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543106291161896130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rP8KyU3b-6plxNZgVtHRv3mPOeGMB06uvHL27WKt3lrIqhv3yeCgtTlkEjjdDskOL2Pt8T2pn4JELMS8bFyj-ueDuSF37jLI-tlrmOz-r_BfDSDqeiarCYKbwDDqEqYaOAYamWmZhXY/s400/3_1284736567_Megan_Mullally_ames+ignham_ed0910_03.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">Living room designed by <a href="http://www.amesingham.com/">Ames Ignham</a> </span></div></div>

The comfort zone

I believe that the planning of a space cannot only rely on practicality while ignoring style, nor can it be vise versa. Comfort and beauty s...

5:26 AM

Outtakes: A favourite recent house

One of our favourite houses we've recently featured in our pages is a 1954 gem in Hamilton by architect Peter Middleton. It was the city's first architect-designed modernist house, a brave experiment in open-plan living. Heather Lomas, who with her husband Alan, commissioned Middleton to design the house, still lives there, and can therefore attest to the longevity of his design. All these photographs were taken by Paul McCredie. Here, Heather opens the door separating the living room from the kitchen and dining area, a device Middleton created in order to separate children and adults when necessary.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13ssgQSbNckGs83iDREjPWhZ8Nf-aSAjq1GTfaI9pqQMM-8jCI30HiJuk_PSihP2NInY7bqbjusj0-p_xXY9v2vpEayzJBZIfJJOG6f3eUg7dggczDYJL-jrzCgz8yAwFESKetLPm2SVj/s1600/Lomas16.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544818567059252530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13ssgQSbNckGs83iDREjPWhZ8Nf-aSAjq1GTfaI9pqQMM-8jCI30HiJuk_PSihP2NInY7bqbjusj0-p_xXY9v2vpEayzJBZIfJJOG6f3eUg7dggczDYJL-jrzCgz8yAwFESKetLPm2SVj/s400/Lomas16.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> An elegant stone fireplace separates the living area from the library, up a couple of steps.<br /><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13mq4IVapgmiETgGmfMrX7xLvQC_jCD7_pysu8qfsSf4JpQnF8nAj59kw_ql4eH8t4p6IPoNrKYPmCEXLhRWrkPt_aq1sDR8odl2lX5SUNIHRQ8BjD6RJOIGrZot_3EPqHasoZuXb8HjN/s1600/Lomas13.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544818558230111346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13mq4IVapgmiETgGmfMrX7xLvQC_jCD7_pysu8qfsSf4JpQnF8nAj59kw_ql4eH8t4p6IPoNrKYPmCEXLhRWrkPt_aq1sDR8odl2lX5SUNIHRQ8BjD6RJOIGrZot_3EPqHasoZuXb8HjN/s400/Lomas13.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>The image below shows the cedar-lined bedroom with a view out to the garden, which runs down to Lake Rotoroa. The shot below that shows the view of the house from the garden.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwO5uR6d7njj8K648ZcOcMenmtoTqlkkwJFC2_RwQ31yT_BPeUm7MAVj7Omy9K3WdWQyQnicS39Xnz7mGJkXh-UqrSqGP4CCHx5HzojJobfLcxis-OuNZP2i7LNy_lfFMlS38GaKrYt7Q5/s1600/Lomas8.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544818547851863890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwO5uR6d7njj8K648ZcOcMenmtoTqlkkwJFC2_RwQ31yT_BPeUm7MAVj7Omy9K3WdWQyQnicS39Xnz7mGJkXh-UqrSqGP4CCHx5HzojJobfLcxis-OuNZP2i7LNy_lfFMlS38GaKrYt7Q5/s400/Lomas8.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>  <div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544818532282250914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiva7K6_qJScADD3dHXRb7jKpawINS71bYlITtG0LnxiMZWwoTpfr8NbdRnRLxvZmdNPVtB3PZ9Gl4eREOog9wPrii00XcW8Y0EAPYVoaDmlZfJWWvc7a3IRYUO5xQqZnHj0iETe96_WOeS/s400/Lomas9.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" /></div><div>And the image below shows Heather herself sitting outside her house. After we sent her a copy of the magazine with her home in it, she sent us a lovely letter. Our favourite quote: "Paul McCredie's ruthless elimination of much of the clutter in the house for the photographs certainly paid off - they are excellent". (We should add that Paul is indeed one of our most skilled declutterers). Heather added that she was sorry that Peter Middleton is no longer alive to enjoy the appreciation of this house. We agree, but we also think it's a testament to his talent that his work has dated so beautifully, as enjoyable now as it was when it was first designed. </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKM8q_HzWtgyrDTzkwt0eap8t-YVxM36VqQPmdvt3w9LGD1j7lMPw9mpOvFbqQuQAos90sg14ihbxzuU_4dxkZt-zZ5ropDsaYISPz-QboSKuqMoPLNb6DhqeMBQPIKW5bepakl4-pAAb6/s1600/Lomas3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544818535461273634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKM8q_HzWtgyrDTzkwt0eap8t-YVxM36VqQPmdvt3w9LGD1j7lMPw9mpOvFbqQuQAos90sg14ihbxzuU_4dxkZt-zZ5ropDsaYISPz-QboSKuqMoPLNb6DhqeMBQPIKW5bepakl4-pAAb6/s400/Lomas3.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a></div></div></div>

Outtakes: A favourite recent house

One of our favourite houses we've recently featured in our pages is a 1954 gem in Hamilton by architect Peter Middleton. It was the city...

8:05 PM

We like... Headspace 1

Earlier this year, students studying the Bachelor of Environments at the University of Melbourne took part in a project called Headspace 1 as part of their degree. Each student was asked to take an idea from within their head and literally place it on the outside. Students re-created their ideas with paper, in a form of headwear. The sculptural like results are awesome!<br /><br /> <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544768499294355250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6DVuelwsMhJLxW82B8_2cPMQY_QZr3W63Oc9rmhhajgTIT0djm0B_rtKvEmf9aOM_zZ9Rk_F-R2mgM34gFTrSkuvaIcpsnQbeo4Lx1cuVSwa5vtD8R0Z9-waLM-XZZtjXw9RnK6-DHJg/s400/headspace_1.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" /><br /><div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544768494654619602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlsiKpW0og0fMBuodTf415wSqfvLNBUbdY1GQjJLKEPk8t7Du4e26aM3jkTfrt0gzVqum0KtGI9kor5DGviwlB3z8CkYUYr22ULsHgTZfAJ0zFzyr2_Qmn7NkspDC_fYc8ifbTW_zijdx/s400/headspace_5.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" /> <div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544768486534507826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZe12l6S6mDu034aMnTDk9Gse3QJrODXeIDwcpNvSOn2H2VTUCPu6NBLhFH3zyqLHDhAwdx-b_7lnhvRetWik_ivnb3Ly83vwAqrnpL136FMyNH3GiNYgk_HT9mIhbHEpzhwBSH8ykEzOE/s400/headspace_6.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" /> <div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544768481523133378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9nAHFd4vCgs4JhCFbYvDZ-1YM6XtOGBAGCUg7ISZk0Q9YsvNAqRd_I5oyLHbC-77rhuyfnjlNL01g8spkoN9iZbLrSoK8ryRjr5msgpUfq6Sm8PZBzr0BROhOJeGbWXsXu58IhAxATx2/s400/headspace_12.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" /> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXweJ4O0aWNQVETO3RFm9uCj0o4V4lu5w5oMv0SdIHpaygB5zdBzfJu3ywo-PklWnlFI6a0pd0w1xcPtCVJ_h7Kw9Jp7ro2TiA0FyBO2qxuBLMsYUqZLtdu8xvDQapESrFLlO_eXwmS_ee/s1600/headspace_20.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544768476470515938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXweJ4O0aWNQVETO3RFm9uCj0o4V4lu5w5oMv0SdIHpaygB5zdBzfJu3ywo-PklWnlFI6a0pd0w1xcPtCVJ_h7Kw9Jp7ro2TiA0FyBO2qxuBLMsYUqZLtdu8xvDQapESrFLlO_eXwmS_ee/s400/headspace_20.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> </div><div><br /><div>found via <a href="http://uponafold.com.au/blog/post/headspace-1/">http://uponafold.com.au/blog/post/headspace-1/</a></div></div></div></div></div></div>

We like... Headspace 1

Earlier this year, students studying the Bachelor of Environments at the University of Melbourne took part in a project called Headspace 1 a...

4:52 PM

Let the sunshine in

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">After spending a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and giving thanks for all the great things in our lives, we enjoyed a delicious meal and the good company and snacking around every time we go into the kitchen.  Sometimes the simple fact of being in good company is the greatest reason to be grateful.  I want to thank you personally for being my amazing readers and for being with me all this long.  I thought that these two spaces evoke an atmosphere like the one expected on a Thanksgiving weekend.  Amazing how two different spaces from two separate homes can share the same ambiance all due to the amount and position of natural light coming in.  I like how these two spaces show the importance of natural light and how it can create the appropriate atmosphere, two main elements to consider when selecting materials and color to decorate a home.  Usually warm colors rather than pastels work better in these types of rooms with strong afternoon sunlight.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0EkmiAcSktjX0kujLLbq9J1r14I-EeSL8P7OTbiVnSS9wFo1WSMely_D3BUQmiKtalumDEVlzi-tCWpAn1WwwD781n-LJfDrzrRFtPjGVOiCuVsYEQurmEcoLdPgwFuGqfN_vM1g45bI/s1600/7.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543091348119414434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0EkmiAcSktjX0kujLLbq9J1r14I-EeSL8P7OTbiVnSS9wFo1WSMely_D3BUQmiKtalumDEVlzi-tCWpAn1WwwD781n-LJfDrzrRFtPjGVOiCuVsYEQurmEcoLdPgwFuGqfN_vM1g45bI/s400/7.png" width="486" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://karamann.com/"><span style="font-size: 85%;">Kara Mann</span></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwEZCdF9Yh30ZQNMLhlG7Ss9vGe2wmJJD5J8zq5JF0d9s1LOC16IeJBrcVBFXBTvT4z3Whyphenhyphen965P78J57EEHMdJCdDtHk98VZ8laU6x7_NTdp1fuNFtc6Ch2nOjm41bWz_ThMhE1wZKNE/s1600/tumblr_l8lp4bVk0J1qbhlcro1_500.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542852056472251442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwEZCdF9Yh30ZQNMLhlG7Ss9vGe2wmJJD5J8zq5JF0d9s1LOC16IeJBrcVBFXBTvT4z3Whyphenhyphen965P78J57EEHMdJCdDtHk98VZ8laU6x7_NTdp1fuNFtc6Ch2nOjm41bWz_ThMhE1wZKNE/s400/tumblr_l8lp4bVk0J1qbhlcro1_500.png" width="513" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><a href="http://www.mikiduisterhof.com/#a=0&at=0&mi=2&pt=1&pi=10000&s=0&p=2">Miki Duisterhof</a></span></div></div>

Let the sunshine in

After spending a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and giving thanks for all the great things in our lives, we enjoyed a delicious meal and...

5:15 AM

My Favourite Building: Andrew Drummond

Christchuch sculptor Andrew Drummond's favourite building is a gem by mid-century master Ernst Plischke. The photograph is by Stephen Goodenough. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LjOk88ZUbfrn-iQGfOiHpAINtT8VP87jvD2xqQj-pL6TOC5z5Lxd-tDjx96UHxAgNDbgWby5ySS2rmowO3K8MLIdN-Z1m3X9struT4wxkdYCf4Wjh4-1hHMVnlXScGUgg3rg-C22EGdO/s1600/Andrew+Drummond.jpg"><em><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542522627032620386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LjOk88ZUbfrn-iQGfOiHpAINtT8VP87jvD2xqQj-pL6TOC5z5Lxd-tDjx96UHxAgNDbgWby5ySS2rmowO3K8MLIdN-Z1m3X9struT4wxkdYCf4Wjh4-1hHMVnlXScGUgg3rg-C22EGdO/s400/Andrew+Drummond.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></em></a><br /><p><em>Andrew:</em> "<span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family:georgia;">When I first came to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Christchurch</st1:place></st1:city> I drove past this church and thought, 'Wow, what’s that?' I thought <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Christchurch</st1:place></st1:city> was lucky to have a Plischke church. There is some grand and extraordinary church architecture here, but I like <st1:place st="on">St Martin</st1:place>’s, this Presbyterian church which is just around the corner from my home. When you walk in, you know you’re going into a very special space. It’s austere, but it has beautiful proportions and light coming through the coloured glass – a reference, I think, to Le Corbusier’s Ronchamp, which does a similar thing. This church is more formal, but it’s just gorgeous."</span></span></p><p><span lang="EN-NZ">The church is at 43 St Martin's Road, Christchurch. </span></p>

My Favourite Building: Andrew Drummond

Christchuch sculptor Andrew Drummond's favourite building is a gem by mid-century master Ernst Plischke. The photograph is by Stephen Go...

3:37 PM

Our Thanksgiving table is ready

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;">I hope you're having a wonderful Thanksgiving.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53OAopPK2jg9ojUUAU1dvoXaCUdqKgZCnAmQaFDYO_VtzwdDUQsThrk3lNlx7ztpA8Igy6U50teERxtC155Lgw1sY6_lykGvhBAcgcuofwnemw2FNWSrS8sDR_GoIgsOY2fzRxSOeMH0/s1600/DSC02636.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543590132702430722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53OAopPK2jg9ojUUAU1dvoXaCUdqKgZCnAmQaFDYO_VtzwdDUQsThrk3lNlx7ztpA8Igy6U50teERxtC155Lgw1sY6_lykGvhBAcgcuofwnemw2FNWSrS8sDR_GoIgsOY2fzRxSOeMH0/s400/DSC02636.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 356px; width: 465px;" /></a></div>  <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNsz7lvgjM9s7outHGc2bWtOq6NgS29HY5f2sr39YlMfqs_9WTMLhM90BE4fTGYCtW5d-sBPQlvW3QNQbzVbeUlyjIDHhc4vBwZb9NX3NV7U70OjLUKQvug4Xf9OD9GNqgaUBo8rDH9M/s1600/DSC02643.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543590113677408754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNsz7lvgjM9s7outHGc2bWtOq6NgS29HY5f2sr39YlMfqs_9WTMLhM90BE4fTGYCtW5d-sBPQlvW3QNQbzVbeUlyjIDHhc4vBwZb9NX3NV7U70OjLUKQvug4Xf9OD9GNqgaUBo8rDH9M/s400/DSC02643.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 355px; width: 465px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I set up a very inexpensive table setting with a quick trip to Target and my local supermarket.</div></div>

Our Thanksgiving table is ready

I hope you're having a wonderful Thanksgiving. I set up a very inexpensive table setting with a quick trip to Target and my local supe...

12:20 PM

We like: Sunday Painters restaurant

You just can't help but love <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.sundaypainters.co.nz">Sunday Painters </a>restaurant in Auckland's Ponsonby, which featured in our October issue. It opened earlier this year, complete with a whimsical interior that features a mural by James Kirkwood, one of the restaurant's owners. (We should add at this point that the French-style food is very good, too, as is the service).<br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542979203471356162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoUCWH1clRGxu3-bhdJTdRsXyyhNkBcg2lzMPiY4M3GBsX0EhiZqjBpz3dqXAg5JNOnpytFEt-Q1p8mpq77Mcg1EVWztmeYS-e5cBd9l-fva1eYsyB9EWyeQE89sg1l0HIc8B6hyphenhyphenYjiknQ/s400/Sunday+Painters+Room.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 246px; CURSOR: hand" /><br />The name Sunday Painters comes from the occasional dinners James and his co-owners Esther Lamb and Isobel Thom liked to throw for their art-school friends in RSA Halls around Auckland. The old halls didn't allow for decorative schemes as lavish as this.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutYBWFwzL7-5J0gf8rc4Zi01hS41e9ATvlrYXWN8CsPrZvox-TmyQxrq4tSkXRDclDsPU4Fhphgl3UwuCIJpxAKdlY94tZ0Dm6Mymr3SIgPQdy4N0M3XCStX7SopQC6cMaGc0mSrulGHF/s1600/Sunday+Painters+closer+view.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542979209766058770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutYBWFwzL7-5J0gf8rc4Zi01hS41e9ATvlrYXWN8CsPrZvox-TmyQxrq4tSkXRDclDsPU4Fhphgl3UwuCIJpxAKdlY94tZ0Dm6Mymr3SIgPQdy4N0M3XCStX7SopQC6cMaGc0mSrulGHF/s400/Sunday+Painters+closer+view.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <div>Among the Cubist artworks on the walls are these plates, made and hand-painted by Isobel, an artist who also runs the Sunday Painters kitchen. We've always been suckers for a bit of Willow pattern, and think Isobel's take on it is fantastic.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6EESWsBPGNCO7A89eSpbyGhdR529wxyWm4OUQ15F_3WO9cg8d0UNut7UmUQpyegFPk3A047-mAY03okxC-Pdyy_Jw89-bv8JWkIfwQCZ0kY0Z4yDITZjVFqjQvCk-vT6vt-jcu4WWjZn/s1600/Sunday+Painters+plate.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542979190688422562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6EESWsBPGNCO7A89eSpbyGhdR529wxyWm4OUQ15F_3WO9cg8d0UNut7UmUQpyegFPk3A047-mAY03okxC-Pdyy_Jw89-bv8JWkIfwQCZ0kY0Z4yDITZjVFqjQvCk-vT6vt-jcu4WWjZn/s400/Sunday+Painters+plate.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />The restaurant is at 185 Ponsonby Road - we highly recommend you visit, but book beforehand as it has been very popular. The number is 09 360 2001. These photographs are by Patrick Reynolds.</div></div>

We like: Sunday Painters restaurant

You just can't help but love Sunday Painters restaurant in Auckland's Ponsonby, which featured in our October issue. It opened earli...

12:09 PM

Happy Thanksgiving

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Here are a few images to get you inspired because I know that not only the food part of today is important to design lovers like us.  Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by your loved ones.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;">Happy Thanksgiving</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMScGg4Oj2M-zi38tD3CfKYjPMGKGmsjL9YFCv6jNqA2m_vbPjeqBY8VAkYc1lqqd4my2dSKiqzHqCFkiSU5KtGuZm05d-rgvuLgOUns5AGhqRuT8O4Lp1PRFfvi4PTcmQO78j3p5ZHY/s1600/tumblr_l9dvu5K9Q41qbhlcro1_400.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="600" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543108834509922386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMScGg4Oj2M-zi38tD3CfKYjPMGKGmsjL9YFCv6jNqA2m_vbPjeqBY8VAkYc1lqqd4my2dSKiqzHqCFkiSU5KtGuZm05d-rgvuLgOUns5AGhqRuT8O4Lp1PRFfvi4PTcmQO78j3p5ZHY/s400/tumblr_l9dvu5K9Q41qbhlcro1_400.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Martha Stewart</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrMO6eHQA2935lhyPyT__bao3yBKAHNHoVh-zdIo4kqiulHXIdj_zapmC2Sw5-2mP3g_dVi2FQNk0t1zBjQXXrUHLSShQFPBITS_TNmYYr7ChUWRJQLuOIkhPlcwxw4AfPBJx26C-sT0/s1600/tumblr_l9cnrgVTCY1qa9o05o1_400.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="570" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543108830747464834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrMO6eHQA2935lhyPyT__bao3yBKAHNHoVh-zdIo4kqiulHXIdj_zapmC2Sw5-2mP3g_dVi2FQNk0t1zBjQXXrUHLSShQFPBITS_TNmYYr7ChUWRJQLuOIkhPlcwxw4AfPBJx26C-sT0/s400/tumblr_l9cnrgVTCY1qa9o05o1_400.jpg" width="467" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yPcbHEJ9enMcTTLFqUUJXJY2iXBMwuUWF26Y5M33ny_c5D6fB0ec3U6U42xdcloMef-9CUrDJSjhcqkFv-txbuFR35sSTEux2T3N74IA2TjckFbbqZmdRZIrHoDb2NOsqvWLovSsrvk/s1600/tumblr_l8uv7jG9HI1qbhlcro1_400.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="690" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543108817215363218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yPcbHEJ9enMcTTLFqUUJXJY2iXBMwuUWF26Y5M33ny_c5D6fB0ec3U6U42xdcloMef-9CUrDJSjhcqkFv-txbuFR35sSTEux2T3N74IA2TjckFbbqZmdRZIrHoDb2NOsqvWLovSsrvk/s400/tumblr_l8uv7jG9HI1qbhlcro1_400.png" width="467" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonCeREiHDncRSlIeUXa9OpigWNFnii3455lR3JckRZ486x3s-fS9e1o2ocrcnmKPbV3r_jOJh3JpjHU0YE-xKBmlg5HZuazjzBdhgBPPvhh2eHiNZus8a8-I-G68efVIGy428xQUso6k/s1600/thanksgiving%252Btable+inspiration.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543172011306345762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonCeREiHDncRSlIeUXa9OpigWNFnii3455lR3JckRZ486x3s-fS9e1o2ocrcnmKPbV3r_jOJh3JpjHU0YE-xKBmlg5HZuazjzBdhgBPPvhh2eHiNZus8a8-I-G68efVIGy428xQUso6k/s400/thanksgiving%252Btable+inspiration.jpg" style="height: 268px; width: 464px;" /></a></div></div>

Happy Thanksgiving

Here are a few images to get you inspired because I know that not only the food part of today is important to design lovers like us. Wishin...

11:40 AM

A life in colors

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Kids really know how to enjoy life and that usually comes across in their fondness for colors.  Wouldn't kids feel in heaven having a room that has everything they usually crave? Cabin-like-bunk beds and lots of color;  What else would they ask for?  Maybe skipping school...</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxLiBjrUWC3nb4uXgZZGoGMPb6Dcr0MT3z8zPjYbL0SBRgsrQ6hrqjNUC6sf6L1CHqVKFoxf6pzNb9Jt4DTH0l_52w2gRxmfmwDYwaM0EUDP-lJbilbkTM00fvSHcYvquJ1qoCJ2jNFs/s1600/tumblr_l6nxbbWv7L1qakb3ko1_250.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542847329520652850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxLiBjrUWC3nb4uXgZZGoGMPb6Dcr0MT3z8zPjYbL0SBRgsrQ6hrqjNUC6sf6L1CHqVKFoxf6pzNb9Jt4DTH0l_52w2gRxmfmwDYwaM0EUDP-lJbilbkTM00fvSHcYvquJ1qoCJ2jNFs/s400/tumblr_l6nxbbWv7L1qakb3ko1_250.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://scrapstudio.tumblr.com/post/906194085/dear-grandchildren-would-you-like-to-hang-out">Scrapstudio</a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Now, this kitchen... I just love the striped sink skirt.  I can't picture this kitchen without it.  You know my obsession for stripes.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5imwgns1qYwyPQDpNkr_VLMwQ03NHSFo33Tv6ShCu4UAGoZWiQv-EZuElPk6_9c62BwqgXxTj0FIDo30AcpEBUAL1arPlolKt8D56W3rByQ2diW5u0Iwtmdv3HomWbC_1dF72nUgzQM/s1600/my+scandinavian+retreat.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542847463278505186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5imwgns1qYwyPQDpNkr_VLMwQ03NHSFo33Tv6ShCu4UAGoZWiQv-EZuElPk6_9c62BwqgXxTj0FIDo30AcpEBUAL1arPlolKt8D56W3rByQ2diW5u0Iwtmdv3HomWbC_1dF72nUgzQM/s400/my+scandinavian+retreat.jpg" width="524" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://scandinavianretreat.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: 85%;">My Scandinavian retreat</span></a></div></div>

A life in colors

Kids really know how to enjoy life and that usually comes across in their fondness for colors. Wouldn't kids feel in heaven having a ro...

5:37 AM

We like: Home Work (subscribe to HOME and get a free copy)

We like <em>Home Work, </em>a new book that invites readers inside the homes of twenty New Zealand architects - the rules being that the architects must have designed their homes themselves and still be living in them.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5szoDsv1F3M5gPMxX14jZoHM-9-YbGOaGDhuCqJqU_SmKRQla8_ogC1Ucx0ohO5ffQxLLWO82muduzFDjAwf46eJiMr7Iy2GnCLPj6ghJ5cVvxt-8KhQ2wjK7UtEMv3FSdDlhsXCi9J4B/s1600/Home+Work+cover.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542864828931566274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5szoDsv1F3M5gPMxX14jZoHM-9-YbGOaGDhuCqJqU_SmKRQla8_ogC1Ucx0ohO5ffQxLLWO82muduzFDjAwf46eJiMr7Iy2GnCLPj6ghJ5cVvxt-8KhQ2wjK7UtEMv3FSdDlhsXCi9J4B/s400/Home+Work+cover.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 204px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 234px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> It's a fantastically eclectic selection of houses, from 1950s classics to contemporary extravaganzas such as Neville Price's Northland home on the cover. (We've run an excerpt from the book about Tony Watkins' house at Auckland's Karaka Bay in our current issue).<br /><br />The photographs, we're proud to say, are by <em>HOME New Zealand </em>contributor Patrick Reynolds, with erudite text and informative interviews with the architects by John Walsh, editor of <em>Architecture NZ.</em><br /><p>The good news is that if you subscribe now (or renew your subscription) to <em>HOME New Zealand</em>, you'll get a copy of <em>Home Work</em> (worth $75) absolutely free. You can do so by visiting <a href="http://www.magshop.co.nz/home">www.magshop.co.nz/home</a>. An ideal Christmas gift, we suggest? You can give somebody a subscription and keep <em>Home Work</em> for yourself...</p>

We like: Home Work (subscribe to HOME and get a free copy)

We like Home Work, a new book that invites readers inside the homes of twenty New Zealand architects - the rules being that the architects m...

1:31 PM

We like: Federal & Wolfe cafe

One of our favourite new Auckland cafes is Federal & Wolfe, which features in the 'Greenhome' section of our current issue. We like their focus on organic produce and the 'gate to plate' philosophy of the menu of chef Holly Shaw (below left, pictured with Johnny Potiki Hartnett and Jeremy Turner in a photograph by Todd Eyre).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWKsztERodmVBlPkSmQHP9Q2BYCtmXsbAjhN6CIw2nRtXXPo6WUBvnyOp7Gq0u4-V24LieWExBGquX7_fhT4AxeFV5A6AkLV7JzNvb7QML2823ddY9IaGmf6Jr51VMN3gzPz0FxlDr7jm/s1600/Home101014FederalWolfeCafe-8779.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542852069693463442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWKsztERodmVBlPkSmQHP9Q2BYCtmXsbAjhN6CIw2nRtXXPo6WUBvnyOp7Gq0u4-V24LieWExBGquX7_fhT4AxeFV5A6AkLV7JzNvb7QML2823ddY9IaGmf6Jr51VMN3gzPz0FxlDr7jm/s400/Home101014FederalWolfeCafe-8779.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>As well as the food, we like Federal & Wolfe's easy-going approach to interiors, which involved ripping out some of the old fittings of the previous occupant (a restaurant named Rice) and replacing them with a very casual mixture of trestles, benches and old chairs. Those in the food biz will also know Jeremy Turner as the co-owner of Parnell's Cibo restaurant, a job he's still doing along with overseeing Federal & Wolfe.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFaTAuOE0E8K_2X4KzKXPepGGZWeq9RRvObm7eLyDZUrdkP6vhbmI9D1b5N-STxwJ_hZXIqIds3rYcgdrpqeUVGdcXWBUN6GbHPeCRlUL8823pg4_Dv7-XrNecXHXNieIBARbd1WBpT6vj/s1600/Home101014FederalWolfeCafe-8692.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542851894930785698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFaTAuOE0E8K_2X4KzKXPepGGZWeq9RRvObm7eLyDZUrdkP6vhbmI9D1b5N-STxwJ_hZXIqIds3rYcgdrpqeUVGdcXWBUN6GbHPeCRlUL8823pg4_Dv7-XrNecXHXNieIBARbd1WBpT6vj/s400/Home101014FederalWolfeCafe-8692.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />Federal & Wolfe is, as the name suggests, on the corner of Federal & Wolfe Streets (one block back from the lower end of Albert Street in the central city). It is open weekdays from 7am to 3pm, and NOT weekends as our article erroneously states (for which we offer our apologies). </div>

We like: Federal & Wolfe cafe

One of our favourite new Auckland cafes is Federal & Wolfe, which features in the 'Greenhome' section of our current issue. We l...

12:51 PM

It's all in the details

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFKNa9Ea_JyUi1AFY3wTMzQVz1uub984TVzUQhY4IFFNnfdHMUMglOO3sn-6i_ZuNHSH47XHKWIq6Vm6ksLPoh-256bUDxhFmxPXeWTFf4FrV1mnbcKns2pemHBj42XxtPC_b4e2e15c/s1600/1%252Ba%252Blive%252Bjournal%252Bhtm%252Bbigger4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542757012156680690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFKNa9Ea_JyUi1AFY3wTMzQVz1uub984TVzUQhY4IFFNnfdHMUMglOO3sn-6i_ZuNHSH47XHKWIq6Vm6ksLPoh-256bUDxhFmxPXeWTFf4FrV1mnbcKns2pemHBj42XxtPC_b4e2e15c/s400/1%252Ba%252Blive%252Bjournal%252Bhtm%252Bbigger4.jpg" width="468" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6INvFhVZlFEH6UeGYa120S6dJ6MSA5DJBFadpNrZcXXoFMoVXnWzefXz4jX1e1u5hSJOy18OllFX2U1wSZzYwQr3J2E_oKMXauyKVnKEt1MA4Lf9pWCWu3h7_dn11v4wnjRsnOy102EQ/s1600/story-hotel-double-sink.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="325" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542757032103688450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6INvFhVZlFEH6UeGYa120S6dJ6MSA5DJBFadpNrZcXXoFMoVXnWzefXz4jX1e1u5hSJOy18OllFX2U1wSZzYwQr3J2E_oKMXauyKVnKEt1MA4Lf9pWCWu3h7_dn11v4wnjRsnOy102EQ/s400/story-hotel-double-sink.jpg" width="460" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.storyhotels.com/"><span style="font-size: 85%;">Story Hotel</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGWeqX8Gcfv7mdw946J22Qt4uFy6pqo7ETwGQgXeNxCrlzw9GNX6EMLWXfJOyLuR4yq_nGcEM_58pIPSIPogw7HSuWQHft3tMK7OOwNmo5MWXtOqFnxdxe4PqSygFJ5N24Vg5LmKKUiQ/s1600/kjerstis-33.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542757018787033378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGWeqX8Gcfv7mdw946J22Qt4uFy6pqo7ETwGQgXeNxCrlzw9GNX6EMLWXfJOyLuR4yq_nGcEM_58pIPSIPogw7HSuWQHft3tMK7OOwNmo5MWXtOqFnxdxe4PqSygFJ5N24Vg5LmKKUiQ/s400/kjerstis-33.jpg" width="451" /></a><br /><a href="http://kjerstislykke.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: 85%;">Kjerstis lykke</span></a></div></div>

It's all in the details

Story Hotel Kjerstis lykke

6:46 AM

Our Favourite Building: Chris Adams and Bianca Pohio

<span style="font-family:georgia;">In every issue of our magazine, we devote the back page to a feature that invites architects (and regular folk) to choose their favourite buildings. Over the coming weeks we'll be posting some of these. First up, architects Chris Adams and Bianca Pohio, who divide their time between Auckland and Sydney. They like the idea of Auckland's old works depot becoming a place for art. The photograph is by Todd Eyre.</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLhS0Hppn3TjsaK0yzRkJ6WGzAvNFsC7brtB9mPYd4w8C1VKx8wno3AFVP4nErh9dP7D7CuEAbIBti3Y53af5cP7zV9KpPfKe_cFSwE3jC8hg5ZuGOmm-B7Cidblf0SWZ7BGh02kJM-8k/s1600/Chris+and+Bianca.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542518851267133138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLhS0Hppn3TjsaK0yzRkJ6WGzAvNFsC7brtB9mPYd4w8C1VKx8wno3AFVP4nErh9dP7D7CuEAbIBti3Y53af5cP7zV9KpPfKe_cFSwE3jC8hg5ZuGOmm-B7Cidblf0SWZ7BGh02kJM-8k/s400/Chris+and+Bianca.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em>Chris:</em> "These buildings were designed in the mid-1960s by George Kenny under Tibor Donner, <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Auckland</st1:city></st1:place>’s City Architect. All the heroic core buildings in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Auckland</st1:place></st1:city> – the City Council building, the Ellen Melville Hall and the Parnell Baths – were built in this period. This one reminds us of <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:state>’s DIA Beacon, an old factory that’s now an art gallery."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><br /><em>Bianca:</em> "This is a perfect building to be a gallery. I hadn’t noticed it until I came to Deus ex Machina, the café here. It is beautifully constructed with its steel and in-situ concrete, and amazing natural light. There’s been a sense that <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">New Zealand</st1:place></st1:country-region> is a young country so you can just bowl things and build again. These buildings should be preserved to value the wonderful architecture of the era."</span><br /><br />You can easily visit the buildings if you wish - as Bianca mentions, Shed Five cafe (also known as Deus ex Machina) is in one of them, at 90 Wellesley Street. At the moment, the area is planned to be developed as the Rhubarb Lane residential quarter. The first stage of the Rhubarb Lane development will be built in the lower part of the depot, so the sheds behind Chris and Bianca will be demolished to make way for a park space for the area. Shed Five, however, will remain in place, although its long-term future is less certain.

Our Favourite Building: Chris Adams and Bianca Pohio

In every issue of our magazine, we devote the back page to a feature that invites architects (and regular folk) to choose their favourite bu...

3:22 PM