Sweetness and Light

A mini frozen yogurt cake that's almost too cute to eat. Almost. Get the recipe from our food stories here.

(photo by laura and styling by nora of our food stories)

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy.

20 New Yorker Design Stories to Read Now
For the next 3 months, the online archives of the New Yorker will be available while they revamp their site — FastCo. picks 20 of their favourite design stories to read while you can.

Favourite Fashion Quotes
AnOther magazine picks their fave insights by the greats into fashion, all charmingly illustrated by Helen Bullock.

Beautiful Neutrals
Take a tour of a lovely Hamptons home featuring clean modern design that emphasizes neutral tones, natural textures and a little mid century classic furniture here and there. Really nice work by Julie Hillman Design.

Paper Play: The Art of Papercraft
Colossal has a great post featuring images from the new book Paper Play by Gingko Press, which explores the use of paper in contemporary art and design. Just extraordinary and mesmerizing work — do take a look.

Bluebeards and Brainiacs: Literary Characters Who Enter the Language
From The Guardian: "From Mrs. Malaprop to Lothario to the Grinch, some characters are so memorable that they leap from fiction into the dictionary. Take an alphabetical tour of the origins of some of our most familiar — and not-so-familiar — literary eponyms."

The Best Cooking Tips We Learned From the Movies
Bon Appétit magazine invited its senior food editor and two movie fan chefs to comment on clips from classic movies that also happen to have useful cooking tips. Fun and informative — and will inspire you to re-watch these great films, too.

Lentil Tacos With Tomato Relish Salsa
A fresh and healthy take on tacos, this recipe by Chez Us is also quick to put together, too.

(photo by joy thigpen)

Smitten

I'm smitten with this beautiful image by conceptual photographer Oleg Oprisco — just stunning. More here. 

(via Colossal)

Moments of Beauty

It's all in the details. Delicate flowers contrast with textured fabric in this piece from the Spring 2014 collection by Giambattista Valli. Love the soft tones, too.

(photo by yannis vlamos. via vogue)

A House in the Dunes

Surrounded by endless dunes where it overlooks the sea, an old fisherman's house in Comporta, about an hour outside of Lisbon, is now a tranquil summer home thanks to interior designers Daniel Suduca and Thierry Mérillou. Inside, bright white walls set off natural fibres livened up with touches of brilliant colour. But it also retains a sense of wildness and privacy — perfect for escaping the cares of the city. More here at AD magazine.

(photography by matthieu salvaing)

A Brief Pause

A quick note to let you know that some posts will be delayed as I'm fighting off an epic summer cold right now — hope to be back very soon! Back to bed now ... xo

(photo by kate grewal for nest. via the design chaser)

Atelier: Hiroko Takeda

A glimpse inside the Brooklyn studio of weaver and textile artist Hiroko Takeda, located on the ninth floor of an old industrial building. More here at Dwell.

(photography by adam krause)

Monday

A lovely serene corner to start your Monday gently. Have a good one.

(photo by jenny hultgren)

A Provence Retreat

After many holidays spent in the Luberon region of Provence, Delphine, Philippe and their three sons decided it was time to acquire a holiday home of their very own in the area. With the help of Paris-based interior designer Véronique Lecomte, they purchased a dilapidated farm and restructured it as a retreat for family and friends. The large main building is open concept, containing the living room, dining room and kitchen. A second, smaller building houses the bedrooms and bathrooms, while guests stay in a tiny studio with bathroom. With magnificent views over the olive groves, a pool to dip into when the weather turns sultry and beautiful landscapes to explore, it truly is a holiday paradise. More here on Marie Claire Maison.

(photography by nicolas mathéus)

Weekend

Happy weekend! Hope it's a lovely one. We're looking forward to dinner with the family — how about you?

(photo by paulina arcklin)

Swedish Cool, Spanish Warmth

Despite its ramshackle condition, as soon as interior designer Merixtel Riba laid eyes on this spacious building in Barcelona's L'Eixample district, she knew it was perfect.  Extensive renovation was needed, but happily Merixtel was also able to preserve the original stucco work, door knobs and handles — and in the kitchen, a ceiling of Catalan brick she discovered hidden under crumbling plaster as well as a lovely tiled floor. An extraordinary round room right in the centre of the apartment is described by Merxitel as the "house jewel", a space especially appreciated in chilly winter months as it has a fireplace. Decorated in an elegant mix of Nordic furniture set off with warm Spanish textiles, tiles and brick, one can see why Merixtel feels that she and her family are here to stay. More here on Rum Hemma.

(photography by mauricio fuertes)

Smile

These Moon Tide Tall Mugs by Romy Northover are making me smile today — their elegant elongated form would be perfect for one's morning coffee or tea. Available from Otis and Otto.

(photo via otis and otto)

Sweetness and Light

A perfect spot to spend a sunny summer afternoon, I think.

(photo via zoco home)

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy.

Audrey Tatou Is in the Mood
Interview over at W magazine with Audrey Tatou about Mood Indigo, her new film with director Michel Gondry, based on the 1947 French surreal romance novel L'Ecume des jours by Boris Vian. I am so looking forward to seeing this.

Favourite Drawing and Writing Instruments of Creatives
Not everyone uses keyboards or touch screens to create. Authors, designers and artists ranging from Manolo Blahnik to Milton Glaser share (and illustrate) their love of pencils, pens and brushes.

Digby and Iona Studio Tour
Great post over at Design*Sponge featuring the fantastic industrial chic studio of Aaron Ruff, proprietor and designer of jewelry company Digby and Iona.

From Bustle to Bra: A History of Lingerie
Interesting post over at AnOther magazine marking the publication of Colleen Hill's new book Exposed: A History of Lingerie, looking at the transformation of undergarments from the 18th century to today.

Yoga For Better Sleep
Having trouble winding down before bedtime? Check out these 8 yoga moves to do before bed, to help ease you into a restful sleep.

A History of the Warner Bros. Logo
For design geeks — a look at the evolving logo for the Warner Bros. film studio, from its beginnings in the 1920s to the present day.

Banana, Mango and Vanilla Frozen Yogurt
This recipe from Donna Hay is crazy easy to make — just three ingredients. Definitely trying this one.

(photo by line kay)

Moments of Beauty

So love the soft blues, creams and grey green tones of this beautiful image by Olivia Frølich, photographed for Cecilie Bahnsen's Collection 2 lookbook. 

(via abundance)

A Peaceful Space

Today I'm admiring the tranquil and beautiful Chelsea apartment of Robert McKinely, recently featured in T Magazine. Just perfect. More photos here.

(photography by nicole franzen. via georgiana design)

Sponsor Spotlight

With its mid century silhouette offset by glam gold legs, the Gold Plated Modern Single Chair from Black Rooster Decor adds instant sophistication to the plainest kitchen or dining area. Designed in Italy, the chair consists of a clear transparent polycarbonate arm shell on a gold-plated chrome base — and with free shipping within Ontario and the USA (use code CUSTOM at checkout), it's a great time to do a little redecorating! Start shopping here.

Simple Pleasures

An inspired mix of old and new. Love the reflective silver ball.

(photo via the march collective)

Summer in Paris

The pretty and light-filled Paris apartment of Marie Gas, owner and buyer of the shop By Marie and artistic director of Gas Bijoux, has a lovely air of eternal summer to it. Furnished with mid century classics and a few antiques, its sunny atmosphere has a bright splash of colour here and there to add a little spice to the look. Lovely. More via Bolig Liv.

(photography by birgitta wolfgang drejer)