Exposing my inner window geek

Hey guys, I wanted to let you know about my guest post for the Fieldstone Windows and Doors blog.  Our family gets pretty excited about building materials, so I ended sending them off more than they had probably bargained for - but that's what happens when you ask a Mackay to talk about windows and doors, am I right Mackays?  I focussed on the American Arts and Crafts style, so if you would like to read my essay post, head on over.

Dreamiest Dream House: Cottage in Maine

Based on the number of times I have seen the above image on Pinterest, I am sure many of you have already seen this gorgeous cottage in Maine featured on Remodelista, but I love it SOOOOO much I have to post it for you.  Honestly, I know I say this a lot, but this might be the most perfect house I have ever seen.  :)

The house sits right on Martinsville Bay in Maine - so close to the shore, in fact, that the first order of business was ensuring that the high tides stopped flooding the basement.  It was originally a general store, later converted into a home in the 1930's.  The current owners, Fiona and Tony Hooper, were given a copy of the diaries of the two ladies who lived there for so long by their realtor - how neat is that?

The architect Sheila Narusawa overhauled the interior, and I especially love the white ship lap that runs throughout everything.  Her niece Justine Hand took these bright and airy photographs, and wrote the most beautiful post about her experience at the cottage and its history on her lovely blog designskool.  (Her blog is absolutely perfect - you should really go take a look!)

The windows, the view, the white, the ship lap, the lights, the KITCHEN, the bedroom.... I could go on and on and on....  This is OFFICIALLY my dream home.

Princess Margaret Welcome Home Sweepstakes sneak peek

Last night I had the pleasure of visiting my future home in Oakville.  I know, I never thought I would move to Oakville either, but when I saw this lovely home designed by Lynda Reeves, I was suddenly won over by suburban life.  The funny thing is, I have never actually met Lynda, but she clearly designed the place with me in mind.  The earthy neutrals, marble kitchen, linen drapes, and ethnic-inspired accessories were all right up my alley.  The way she and her design team combined them with those large black modern doors and windows, the sleek floor-to-ceiling patio doors that fold open onto the terrace, and the exquisite landscaping clearly reflected my love of combining modern and well-worn aesthetics.  I love that she gave me an AGA stove, although I have absolutely no idea how I will whip up my mac and cheese on it... No detail was overlooked in this place, and I really appreciate it Lynda.

You can go ahead and buy a ticket for the lottery if you want - in fact you really should, because it is in support of the amazing Princess Margaret Hospital - but I am pretty sure I have this one all sewn up.  I made sure to rub Renee's arm raw.  She is an amazing good luck charm (just ask Aleksandra below, who won the massive 3D HD LG flatscreen tv just by standing next to her).

My horrible iPhone pics don't really do it justice, believe it or not.  You can find out more about my home HERE, including the names of all the amazing suppliers who provided materials for the house pro bono and the design team that met needs I didn't even know I HAD until now (sadly, there is no going back...).  There is a virtual tour online, but I really recommend going out to see it yourself.  I mean, of course I'll have a house-warming party, but you should probably check it out sober too.

Thanks so much to the lovely folks at House & Home for the good time and blogger reunion.  And the ride home - that was awesome too. :)

Modern Rustic PERFECTION in South Africa

Staying at my parent's house is like design immersion.  There is always some house reno show on, and the place is littered with magazines such as DWELL, Architectural Digest, Furniture and Cabinetmaking, Fine Homebuilding, Fine Woodworking, and stacks of well-perused (slightly-tattered) books on George Nakashima, Mackintosh Masterworks, and Tropical Asian Style.  For all that my Dad loves his beautiful woodgrain and antiques, he seems to be drawn to a very modern design language - based on the magazine and book piles I keep tripping over, anyway. :)

I tend to look at the very sleek and modern homes and architecture in DWELL as interesting but cold and well, kind of boring.  Not to mention, they never look very comfortable for actual living.  THIS place, however, has managed to be truly modern in design (it is essentially an open box) while incorporating warm, natural, even rough materials.  It is designed by Silvio Rech Lesley Carstens Architecture and Interiors, I think it is one of the most beautiful houses I have ever seen, modern or not (even though it is actually a cottage or get-away place for the owners).

Not sure if that is a tapestry or a photo but I want it either way.  It is a tapestry by Albert Redelinghuis.  Mind = BLOWN. 

I thought this STUNNING back wall was some kind of stone, but it actually rammed earth.  I had to google it.  It is highly compressed dirt, essentially.  Environmentally awesome and beautiful to boot.

Notice the amazing hanging sculpture made of whale bones.  LOVE. IT.

How's THAT for a white kitchen?  Love the rough timber backsplash.

Rammed earth wall + what looks like a tree trunk used as a couter = bathroom bliss

Look at that TABLE.  And of course, the tree growing in the dining room...

Is that not amazing?  I can't wait to show Dad, he's gonna love it. (And by saying that I am guaranteeing that he will say he doesn't. ;p)  It was shortlisted for the World Architecture Festival Prize in 2011 - no surprise.  Hmm... I should go see who won!

Styling Leana Schoeman Photographs Elsa Young

See original artical and photos in South Africa's House and Leisure magazine here.

See even more photos on the World Buildings Directory.

Dreamiest dream house in Majorca

I think I just move right in to this lovely home on Majorca - those tile floors look very inviting in this sticky heat we are having.  I could just lay down and flatten myself out like a dog... wow, the things you write when you have no air-conditioning...

Again we have my favourite colour scheme of white, cream and wood.  I could look at places like this all day. The couple who live here already had a sleek modern place on the beach, and wanted another get-away further inland.  They found this place, which had stood abandoned for a while and completely transformed it into this snug and cozy home.  I have no problem with people who own multiple homes when they have amazing taste like this!! :)

Oh my goodness I want to jump into that pool so badly......!!!!  Maybe I'll go fill up our new kiddie pool out back and close my eyes while I wedge my butt in between the plastic sides... I'm nothing if not resourceful.

Found via Planete Deco.  Images from Nuevo Estilo.

Dreamiest Dream House

I just wanted to show you all a few photos of my newest summer home in Sweden.  It's just a small casual spot on a rockface overlooking the ocean, no big deal.  It's full of old furniture we dug up (like the 17th century sofa in the living room) and naturally it's in Sweden so we painted it all white with a few pops of blue here and there.  There are days when I find all that natural light bouncing in off the ocean a little irritating - the kids have taken to wearing their sunglasses inside - and I long for my dark little pad in Toronto.  But I guess someone has to live here, right?

 Photos by Paul Ryan Redcover.com.  Seen on Kochem Weis.

Don't forget - today is the LAST DAY for the Ipod cover Giveaway - and I only have 4 entries so your odds are good!  (I.e. please enter!!!)

Modern Home in 17th Century Spanish Mill

I find it impossible not to gasp when I look at these photos - or sigh longingly.  Architect (and owner) Durval Dias has created a sleek and stylish home in a 17th-century olive mill in the Balearic Islands of Spain.  I love how he chose which elements of the building to highlight - framing them with the smooth white walls like artwork.  Then there is the light... the light!  Putting huge modern windows into the arches, installing the polished concrete floors, and painting out the ceiling beams white let that lovely natural light pour in and bounce around.  And the Hans Wegner chairs covered in cow hide?  Words are not adequate...

From Casa Vogue.

PS. Only 3 days left to enter the Intertwyned Giveaway!