After spending many holidays in France, either renting an apartment in Paris or a house in Provence, the owners of this magnificent farmhouse (located in Abbotsford, Johannesburg) began looking for inspiration everywhere from Paris bistros, grand chateaus or simply on the streets.  The couple read French architectural books and spoke to local interior designers, but also quizzed French friends and women she encountered laying out a table for lunch in a remote village.  ‘I scoured the quaint antique shops of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and competed with the locals on winter mornings at Vanves flea market on the south side of Paris. I became friends with all the antique dealers at Clignancourt on Paris’ northern outskirts and wherever I went I seemed to be followed by containers of authentic and original pieces, each with its unique story.’

They added three extra fireplaces and a wine cellar, French white oak floors in a reverse-herringbone pattern and a luxurious yet homely kitchen complete with a marble counter brought in from a Parisian patisserie, to the already warm and expansive house.

That’s dedication, and oh is it gorgeous.

I also love this line from Karen, one of the owners of this gorgeous home:

For me luxury means being in a position to travel; to live like a local, soak up the culture and personally search for what feeds my passion.

Via House and Leisure {Originally featured in the August 2011 issue of House and Leisure.} // Styling: Leana Schoeman // Photography: Elsa Young

I have high hopes for the look and feel of our new apartment ( … coming soon to a blog near you … err, this one).  Mostly, in the last few years, hubby and I have been consumed with work, and never got the chance to design the way we really had in mind.  His schedule probably won’t get much easier once he starts rotations, but I’m determined to give our new home’s look a truly “us” feel.  And, dirty little secret: the last two sets of pillows we used to decorate our sofas were the kind you buy in two-packs, two sets from Ikea and two sets from Costco (a.k.a., no real thought at all). I’m loving all of these more unique pillow options, and want to mix-and-match in a really funky way. And though I normally design in clean colors, mostly neutrals, I love the idea of decorating with pillows full of color and pattern. Any favorites?

Get the Pillows:  1. Rebecca Atwood Ripple Shibori // 2. Urban Outiftters Magical Thinking Crewel Ikat Pillow // 3. John Robshaw Peak Decorative Pillow // 4. Fine Little Day Dotty Pillow // 5. Barneys New York Argento Spot Pillow // 6. Madeline Weinrib Stripe Ikat Pillow // 7. Nate Berkus™ for Target Euro Chenille Pillow // 8. Joss & Main Ikat Pillow // 9. Proud Mary Grey Dot Pillow

When crunching the dates recently, it occurred to me that I have been a blogger for three years. Three years! Wow. Time has flown and business is slowly picking up speed, but my dreams of a gorgeous office design got put on the back-burner as I filled the space formerly known as my office with boxes, products to be shot, cameras, a sewing machine I never get to use, and every craft imaginable. But in the next few weeks, hubby and I will be packing up the boxes and looking for a new place. I actually sort of love moving – it gives me the chance to re-envision, re-design, and create a space that suits the new me in that new place. One of my big goals for the new apartment – my very own, cherished, office space.

Along with Dyson, I’m looking for ways to upgrade my life and workspace in a clean, modern, and beautiful way. I want something crisp, elegant, with the edgier touches that speak to me and my aesthetic. Even if my new office space takes up not much more than a corner, I want a place to work, think, and dream up big ideas. Do you have your own home office space? What are your office space musts?

My office upgrade hopefuls:

Original Image Sources: The Decorista // Rue Mag // Erika Brechtel of Small Shop Studio

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I tend to travel and fall utterly in love with the food, the design, the culture.  France (and Paris, more specifically) is one of those places that has always stuck with me.  And it seems, the same goes for Vancouver designer, Effie Genovese.  When it came to her own home in Vancouver, and after almost a decade of living and raising a family in the south of France, she turned her 5,000-square foot house into a place meant to complement the historical homes in its established Vancouver neighbourhood and reference something plucked right out of Paris. (While living in France, Effie visited Paris regularly, scouring the flea markets and relishing in the belle époque vibe.)  “I envisioned an updated Parisian townhouse,” says Effie, “like a house that you would find in Paris that had been renovated. It’s modernized inside but still has all of the old charming details.”

Via Style at Home // Photography: Kim Christie