Bright Shiny Objects

One day I want to build ...

I start a lot of sentences like that in my crazy head. Particularly when I see something like this studio apartment built atop a 2-car garage in Auckland, New Zealand. Maybe I could possibly, someday — you know, after I leave Japan AND win the lottery AND learn to focus on one thing for longer than 30 seconds — build something like this at my Denver bungalow over the existing detached garage.

What a great use of space. I love the idea of accessory dwelling units for extra space for homes like mine that are too small for guests. These units can also be rented for extra income either long-term or as vacation rentals on AirBnB. You might recall I'm big on the sharing economy.

My house's current zoning doesn't yet allow for the bathroom & kitchen elements but just to have bright airy studio space above the garage sounds like a wonderful idea to me. Well, as long as I actually use the space ... and that does not include using it as storage!

At the very least I'll be looking into this idea ... one day. We all have crazy dreams, so what are yours? Let's hear em.

design by Karin Montgomery Spath | photography by Matthew Williams | seen on Remodelista

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When I Live in a Beautiful Dutch Village

I will live here. This stunner is Danielle de Lange's cottage near Amsterdam posted on her inspired blog The Style Files. I love it when designers post photos of their own homes. It provides a way to stalk them determine if I like their style.

That ceiling.

Sure, one day I might scoff at bleached out rustic Scandinavian interiors ... but not this day.

Gah! Another damn kitchen for me to covet. Life just isn't fair.

Whoa, it's all perfect on the outside too.

For more photos of Ms. de Lange's home as well as daily inspiration, I highly recommend The Style Files. It's one of the few sites that survived my recent (and sweeping) blogroll cleanup.

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When I Live in Helsinki

I will live here. I hope Finnish designer Joanna Laajisto won't mind when I boot her out of her apartment.

Are these floors realistic for two big dogs with dark fur that flies off them at a spectacular rate? Probably not. Do I care? Nope.

 

It's a lot of white. For those long Scandinavian winter nights. So where IS the fireplace? Whaaat, an actual flaw? It cannot be.

The back room must be where they threw all the stuff they didn't want in the photo shoot. 

Damn this understated kitchen. 

I've probably pinned this rosemary-plant-and-wood-boards-on-marble-counter photo at least seventeen times. 

In truth I'd be happy if I could just steal these black coffee mugs and the shiny espresso machine from a few photos up. Not that I'd know how to work it.

(Sorry, I mentioned my caffeine problem in my last post. Addiction is real, people.)

Bay windows too? Stop. Just stop.

Photos by Mikko Ryhänen via Living | Seen on Desire to Inspire

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Where Real People Live

I could live here.

Not surprisingly, I peruse myriad photographs of interiors. While some are dead-on inspired, I prefer seeing real places, where actual breathing people might live.

This Swedish apartment is like that. Obviously styled and shot by professionals but still looks entirely livable.

I forgive them for cramming the rest of their clothes behind that curtain for this shot.

Do you prefer propped, staged and styled or messy, unfinished and real?

Photos from Stadshem via Homesick.

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