Not only does Collette Dinnigan make great clothes, she also makes great homes. Seriously great homes. This particular house in Paddington, Sydney, which Collette has now sold (why would you? Why?), is a stunningly restored sandstone residence built in the 1880s, but brought beautifully into the 21st century with its clean lines and elegant living spaces. The front porch and the fact that the whole house is simply flooded with light would have been enough to sell it to me, however it’s the kitchen that steals the show. I wouldn’t change a single thing. If I were lucky to live somewhere as out-of-this-world as this, I think I would just spend the whole time declaring, à la Carrie Bradshaw in Heaven on Fifth, “Hello, I live here!”

{images via Updated Home}

I’ve always been in awe of people who can take a good photo, it must be such a satisfying talent to have. If I’m able to make a New Year’s resolution this early on (the Christmas Bublé has already had an airing, so as far as I’m concerned it’s festive full steam ahead), it’s to learn the art of photography and how to edit images. One man whose talent knows no bounds is Max Wanger who, as well as lifestyle and fashion photos, takes some breathtaking reportage wedding shots. Not that I should really call them ‘shots’… ‘artwork’ is far more apt. One technique that Max is especially skilled at is his use of negative space. The subject takes up a minute part of the overall image, which makes for some truly beautiful and dramatic results. I’m particularly in love with the first picture, so the fact that it’s available from his online store makes me extremely happy. What are your thoughts on negative space in photography?

{images via Max Wanger}

For long-time readers of this blog, you may remember last year I posted about Ben Pentreath and his gorgeous shop of ‘curiosities’ (see here). Now, not only does he have a website packed full of seriously covetable items, I also stumbled across the Interior Design section, which documents his architectural and design projects. Pretty jaw-dropping stuff. The interior that appealed to me the most was Ben’s former flat on Great Ormond Street, London. This early Georgian townhouse is brought alive by an injection of colour and individuality. It may not be the largest of spaces, but boy, does it have a personality. Ben is currently creating a new interior in a flat on Queen Square, and I can’t wait to see the results.

{images via Ben Pentreath}

I’m forever bemoaning the fact that in the UK we are streets behind the trends readily available in US home decor stores… case in point being that this country still thinks that a statement wall is cutting edge. Put the garish floral wallpaper down, people. So when I saw that Urban Outfitters (only previously visited during my ‘shimmery scarf’ phase) are cottoning on to the fact there’s a demand for geometric prints, I did a massive internal jig of excitement. And check out that antique carpet! Wherever Tom and I wind up living, that little bargainous beauty is going to be co-habiting. What do you think of their range?

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Offices by their very nature are not known for their style credentials. They are, generally speaking, a place where you get shiz done, whether you buy, sell, promote, market, organise, whatever. Unless you are lucky enough to work for Google, where you’re as likely to come across a ping-pong table as a desk. My working environments to date have been DULL. Blank walls, carpets with questionable stains, pot plants struggling for their lives and desktops that are 10 years out of date. One of these offices had no windows. Prisoners have better views. For a person like me who has a creative fire inside of them (seriously, it burns), they have left me feeling less than inspired. This is why I feel an insane jealousy when I see office spaces like the one that Aerin Lauder (she of famous grandmother, Estée) has created in Manhattan… I would kill to work somewhere with an interior like this. It has a chandelier, for Pete’s sake. The white walls, gold accents and seagrass carpet are absolute heaven, and I’ll bet the productivity in this office is sky-high. Tell me, lovely readers, does your office resemble Aerin’s in any way?

{images via Architectural Digest}