A modern family home, Cape Town

Whenever there's a massive powerball lottery, it's inevitable that we end up playing the fantasy game - what would you do? Where would you go? What would be your first move? And invariably my thoughts turn to real estate. I think near the top of my fantasy real estate list would have to be a home base in one of the most beautiful cities in the world - Cape Town, South Africa. This stunning home in Lion's Head perfectly fits the bill. Designed by Peerutin Architects this open concept home takes in as much of the stunning surrounding landscape as possible. With the Cape mountains behind and the glittering city and ocean below this home boasts amazing views from every angle. 

The interior designed by Danielle Howard is soft and neutral with a subtle African touch. There's a lovely mix of contemporary with classic mid-century modern styles that blend perfectly with the clean lines of the architecture. The look is soft and natural and keeps the emphasis on the surrounding environment and gorgeous views. 

Needless to say, I'm utterly disappointed I didn't win...

{All photos: Warren Heath, Styling: Julia Stadler for House and Leisure}

A brand new week + being a beginner

{Photo: Christopher Sturman for Vogue, April '12; Ira Glass quote by Sarah Tolzman of Note to Self}

Creature comforts

I'm having one of those days where things feel just a bit off. Where you find yourself craving the familiar, soothing comforts of home that restore you when you're feeling a little run down. This converted monk's retreat in Cambridgeshire, UK suited that feeling perfectly for me today. Calm and neutral, the home is filled with natural light and soft tones. Lots of personal touches create a unique style that defies one particular time period or style category and seem suited uniquely for its inhabitants.  

Of course the story has to start with a deep, loung-y sofa and a adorable little furry friend. The ultimate creature comforts for the worst of bad days. An antique wrought iron coffee table contrasts with a shiny chrome arc lamp for a modern eclectic feeling. The mantle is adorned with personal treasures and mementos including a sweet little white rabbit. 

This kitchen is layered and so very interesting without feeling cluttered. Soft grey cabinets with brass hardware, open shelving for displays and lots of natural wood touches make it feel like a hybrid modern country kitchen. 

I love little vignettes and displays in a kitchen that can turn it from a purely utilitarian space to something quite beautiful.

There's a wonderful feeling of calm in this subdued bedroom. Thick carpets, calm colour tones and little personal touches that tell a story. A Moroccan wedding blanket hangs as a headboard for the otherwise unadorned four poster bed. 

This is what it all comes down to for me - my mum always says there's nothing that a long hot bath or a good cappuccino can't cure. If I had a choice, I doubt I'd ever leave this luxuriously scaled tub.  I love how open and bright this room feels.

And in the second bathroom, more little touches of pink and pretty pattern punctuate the serene all white room. 

{Photos: Matthew Williams for Living Etc}

A modern thatched roof home in the Netherlands

Growing up in Africa, I have many wonderful memories of sleeping under thatched roofs. We even had a thatched wendy house in our garden that we used to play in almost every day. As anyone who's spent some time in a thatched roof home will tell you, there's a distinctive feeling to it. A mix between cozy and airy - wonderfully warm in winter, and cool and breezy in summer. And a soft, smokey scent.  While a thatched roof home generally brings to mind more of a cottage, or even more traditional African or rustic styles, this home by Maxwan Architects in the Netherlands marries a traditional thatched roof with crisp white lines, walls of glass and a thoroughly modern style. 

Much of the lower level is devoted to staunch modernism with lots of glass and sleek surfaces.

 While a devotion to minimalism is evident in this modern home, they've taken care to restore some of the original details of this 1930s home like the chevron wood floors that add an extra touch of character to the space. 

Aside from the thatched roof, my favourite feature of the home is this spectacular spiral staircase wrapped in a lacy meshed form. It's dramatic enough to be a focal point for this area of the home (the often neglected hallways and staircases) but still delicate enough not to be overwhelming.

{Photos: Filip Dujardin for Maxwan Architects, found here}

Pretty pieces: stackable gold flake rings

I had a bit of an Etsy shopping spree recently. I picked up a pillow in Pierre Frey's Kubus fabric, a beautiful vintage Italian scarf and a hammered brass planter. I've already decided though, what my next purchase will be. I'm quite smitten with these pretty stackable rings from the Etsy shop Daimblond. Each piece is hand made from Elena in Le Mont-Saint-Michel in Base-Normandie in France. This is one of the reasons I really love Etsy as a platform - the ability to enjoy and support the work of talented artists and curators from all around the world that I likely wouldn't have discovered otherwise. I'd love to collect a few of these pretty faceted resin rings in different colours. Each with flecks of yellow and pink gold running through them. 

{All images: Daimblond}