We have been looking at buying a home for a while since our return from Australia, and so the hunting continues.  While clicking my way through quite a few pics, I saw this beauty in Devonport on the North Shore in Auckland.  It is sooo me.  The colour, the furniture, the kitchen, all of it.  It’s for sale if you like it and to view more images click here.  The current owner and renovater is an interior designer, so it’s no wonder the place rocks! It’s also been in a couple of home magazines, so enjoy.

UK company Purlfrost has a large selection of window film for many applications; Decorative, Stained, Reflective and even a kids range.  My favourite would have to be their Stained Glass range that can be applied anywhere.  When the sun shines on it, it would show the best colour onto the wall and ground. Great for a yoga room.

You can apply it easily yourself and they have an installation guide online.  Purlfrost will happily ship worldwide, just contact them first and advise what you are intending to order.

These two photos are from a great home renovation in Redondo Beach – see the slideshow here.

The first image caught my eye as the many many tiles make it feel spa like, plus their colour is very calming, they are from Ann Sacks, a US company with a huge selection of ceramic and glass tiles for any area of the home.

I had to show you what a feminine fireplace looks like.  And the glass underneath is so much more chic that a tiled, built-up hearth.  Wittus, a US company has a large range of very hip fireplaces that they can ship to your door.  This one, called the Shaker is made in Germany and designed by Antonio Citterio – of course, something will always catch my eye when it’s near the Woods wallpaper by Cole and Son.  The kicker (always one when a designer is involved; it weighs nearly 140kgs and costs US$4,280 – that’s NZ$6000)!  Those long lovely legs almost makes it worth the price, but then there’s all that wood to put on…

Always at this time of the year, I go looking for options for heating your home – (in fact as I write, it’s supposed to drop to ZERO degrees tonight) ARGH!

Radiators now are becoming part of your decor and like this option, a piece of art.  This wall hung radiator is called ‘Splash’ and was designed by Chritian Ghion for Runtal.  It has a cool ripple effect across the front and looks fantastic in this bathroom.  Would like the whole ensemble thanks!

The colours of this house caught my eye today.  I really like the modern charcoal panels with a rich coloured wood.  I think it softens a hard, modern design.  And who wouldn’t love a bright orange door!  To see more of this place, take a look at Shed’s website.

via [Inhabitat]

As I try to find clever ways to store ‘stuff’, I had to go through my library for these images to inspire you in your home reno. Clever systems that utilise space that we often don’t think of.  The top left image shows how the top of the steps open up to use the deep cavity underneath.  It’s not often I wish we had stairs, but these would be cool.

second images via [AT]

I bet you thought I had given up on my blog…..no….just busy with the kids.

When browsing home listings, something I notice are cool lights or lamps, and this is one I’ve fallen for.  The Nautilus Light by Rebecca Asquith, is such a reminder of the beach and holidays and the bach….well – perhaps the posh bach. Anyway, they come in two sizes and three colours and you can get them right here.  They start at NZ$460, which isn’t too bad considering some ‘light features’ cost thousands; plus they ship worldwide.

Whoa, how about these kitchens to inspire a change on your reno.  My favourite is Duality – the silver version – it works well as a room separator and you can view the other room while ‘in’ the kitchen. And for those who use and have a load of cookbooks, the Library kitchen is perfect.  Phillippe Starck designed these for Warendorf (formerly Miele kitchens) in Europe.  No ideas yet when they will be available, but they WILL be available – at least in Europe.

via [Apartment Therapy]

I can’t tell you much about this house as I don’t speak spanish and the website is well..spanish.   It is in Gandario, Galicia, Spain and the architect is Carlos Quintáns.  It’s a stunningly simple home blending the new form with old stone – striking and visible from inside the home.  In one of the photos, I love how the wooden floor vents are not in metal, but are seamless with the wooden flooring.  Of course the glass across the entire front is always a winner for me, and check out the view!

via [Materialicious]

Ok, I got a little carried away looking at all the houses at Sagaponac and only because I wanted to show you this one. Now there are several I like that are totally cool….go take a look sometime.  This home is the Ban + Maltz Furniture House inspired by Mies Van der Rohe’s unbuilt Brick Country House.  It has 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms over 3800 square feet.  What’s clever about it is the primary structure – the house is made of modular cabinet units providing loads of storage, supports the roof, and encloses heating and cooling systems. What I would give for that much storage!

via [Apartment Therapy]

If you think you’ve chosen the tiles for the kitchen or bathroom, think again!  Moving Color is the company behind these temperature sensitive tiles.  The base colour can match almost any colour you desire;  they change colour based on body or water temperature or whatever they are touching!   The temperature change point can be requested by you, so the dynamic colour change begins at the selected temperature and changes over three phases, each one is a 6 – 10° rise in temperature. Once the temperature peak is passed, the base colour returns and remains the same until the temperature drops.

The tiles can be used on floors, walls and counters and they are a green product, because they use glass that is 20 – 80% recycled. Also they come in eleven different glass textures.  How much you ask?….about US$15 for a tile 4 x 4 inches, so US$180 a square foot and they also do larger 18 x 18 inch tiles.  Nice and expensive way to make sure the shower isn’t too hot for the kids!

Homage in Newmarket, Auckland has just had a new shipment of furniture arrive, so go take a look as soon as you can. They have a great range of iconic mid century reproduction furniture, plus a range for your little ones also.  You can download their catalogue here for a look at what’s available and better yet, they are super helpful at making sure you get just the right piece for your home – even if it means taking a couple of pieces home.

Over at Desire To Inspire, I came across these pics, plus more of some of the most inspiring and colourful interiors.  The man behind the lens is Mark Lund, who’s website sends you into major time wasting territory just looking at all the great photos.  He also has a blog with updates of his current work and cool snaps of his beautiful family.  

This Penguin Wallpaper from ISAK in the UK is intense and cute and busy all at once, but I love it. Perfect for one wall or inside a closet.  You can buy it here for NZ$77 and they ship internationally.  

via [Decor8]

Marimekko have come out with some of their most popular prints on wallpaper.  At this stage they have 11 prints for sale but will be adding all 56 patterns.  It you love their designs as much as I do, click here for a look.  They are US$89 a roll (NZ$140) and ship worldwide.  My favourite are the Stilla leaves and Bo Boo kids cars.

I love this shower, it’s all organic and curvy and modern.  Designed by Roberto Semprini for Mastella, the leaf shape shower tray is wenge wood but comes in many other materials if it doesn’t suit your decor.   The Sogno is such a refreshing change from the tiled rectangle or square.  

via [Trendir]

Yes, I have an addiction – it is the store Anthropologie, and although we don’t have it down-under, I still swoon over the seasonal ranges online.  They do ship across Europe and North America, but sadly, down here in Oz and NZ we are forgotten once again; which is actually a good thing or I would really give the credit card a beating!  If you aren’t familiar with their store (everything from clothes and shoes to kitchen and bedroom) go take a look and fall in love with….well…..everything!

Now it’s cold enough to need cosy warm towels in the bathroom, I would have loved to be able choose something this groovy when we were renovating.  They are actually radiators but can also be used as towel rails.  The paper-clip is my favourite by the company Scirroco.  The Archibald Towel Radiator that looks like clothes hangers is from Bisque.  And no, you can’t seem to get them here in NZ – blast!

via [Apartment Therapy]

This house was designed and built by Bevk Perović Arhitekti’s in Ljubljana, Slovenia.  I really like the simplicity of this from the street.  And although I wouldn’t choose to live in it, as it looks just a little to cold for me, it would be a perfect office space for Mr Bohaute and I.  Just adding some colour and comfy furniture would make this quite an inspiring working space.  

via [NotCot.org]

One image to inspire a little fun into your reno or new house build.  How about a slide beside the stairs? Actually, I had to add a few more pics for you. This whole place is cool because it’s under ground mostly and sits right smack bang in hip Notting Hill.  The home belongs to Alex Michaelis, an architect at Michaelis Boyd Associates, so of course his home would rock.  Click on the link to go see a few more images on their website under Residential, Oxford Gardens.  Master Four (and three quarters) would love it!

via [Bloesem Kids]