A Summer Retreat On The Greek Island of Milos

It's been raining for 24 hours in Sweden- bah! I'm going in search of some sunshine - fancy coming along for the ride?! It seems there's plenty to be found in this house perched on a cliff edge on the Greek island of Milos. The 19th century stone house has been carefully restored by K-STUDIO to provide a London-based family an authentically traditional, yet practical summer retreat.  Due to the narrow streets, locally sourced building materials had to be carried up through the village by hand. Today the simple, raw finishes offer a cool respite from the midday sun while slate and timber flooring and unpainted walls allow the house to breathe. Bespoke crafted furniture and fittings were chosen to respect the local style and give the house a lovely, warm, welcoming feel. Enjoy the tour!

I love the matching stools in different sizes - and of course the beautiful Gervasoni Ghost 05 armchair! The sofa is also interesting - I wonder if it's bespoke? If you have any info please give me a shout in the comment section and put me out of our misery!

The original wood ceiling and linen bedding adds warmth and texture to the otherwise pared-back bedroom.

Not a bad place to retreat to in the summer / at weekends - not bad at all! Could you imagine?!


It came as no surprise to find that the space has been nominated for "Best Residential Property" in the Big See Interior Design Awards 2018.

What's more, I just looked up the Greek island of Milos and it's described by Condé Nast Traveller as having "the best beaches in the Aegean, a fascinating history and superb seafood." Check out the full feature here .- it looks and sounds incredible! If the picture below is anything to go by, I think I've found my next holiday destination! See you there?

More dreamy inspiration from Greece includes this Greek island home, an oh so fabulous Greek escape and a cool white and rustic retreat on Mykonos (while you're there you could also treat yourself to a stay in this little patch of paradise!).

Rain? What rain?!


Photography courtesy of  K-STUDIO
Milos island photo by Andrew Urwin for Condé Nast Traveller

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A tranquil holiday home in Corsica

If like me, your idea of the perfect summer holiday is to head to a retreat with your family and get away from it all you'll love this holiday home set in the rocks of Corsica. Designed and built by Carol, Director of Communication at Zadig et Voltaire and Fred, her photographer husband and enjoyed by their children, the tranquil summer house is built over three storeys, each enjoying sea views. The family love to visit from California and spend their summer's relaxing in the tranquil garden by the pool and circumnavigating the island by boat. And who wouldn't? It's simply stunning!

Photography: Karel Balas. Stylist: Isis-Columbe Combréas. MILK Décoration with kind permission

The pool looks divine, doesn't it?!

Last week I stayed at Le Chateau De Saint-Privat-Des-Pres in France for my sister's wedding. It was so beautiful I didn't want to leave. The most interesting thing about the Chateau was that it had an 'eco lake' instead of a traditional swimming pool. It was my first encounter with an eco pool (or 'natural swimming pool') and I was slightly sceptical at first......however, after a few days swimming in the relatively clear, cool waters I became quite accustomed to the odd frog leaping in beside me and pond skates sharing the water. As a result if I were to ever have a home with a pool (hey, it's Friday, a girl's allowed to dream), I would definitely choose an eco pool. Have you ever encountered one?

Other island retreats I love include this one on Mykonos and for stunning garden oasis with a pool, I have always taken inspiration from this space in Montreal. 

Have a wonderful weekend and see you Monday!

PS Since I am still on holiday, I will continue to post every other day for the next two weeks, thank you for your patience! 

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Dream escape: an ethereal beach house on St Barths

How much would you love to jet off to an island with white powder beaches, turquoise sea and swaying palm trees right now? Your home for the fortnight (because a week just wouldn't be enough!) in the form of an ethereal white pool villa with touches of driftwood, sea-grass and rattan and the most beautiful terrace. Meet Villa Palmier, a little touch of paradise on the island of St Barths in the French West Indies created by Matt and Kate Holstein. This beach house ranks high up in the list of places I would love to stay one day (yes, it's available to rent - I know!), how about you?! For now though, let's dream....

Villa Palmier. Photos: Kate Holstein, found via Dust Jacket / Design Sponge with thanks.

Guh!!!

Do I even need to ask if you can imagine holidaying here?!

And just how cute is that doggy?! 

Get the look (yes, really!):  Sea photographic print by Kara Rosenlund, source benches and tables made from driftwood here, banana fibre pouf, panama hat, basket beach bag, sea grass belly basket. rustic stool, white Marshall speakers. Off white linen rug. And of course, a hammock!

Other exotic escapes sitting there waiting for you include a little touch of paradise on Mykonos and a Brazilian pool villa. Where do I even start?! And although not available to rent, the ethereal home of Kara Rosenlund is all the evidence we need that it's possible to get an exotic vibe in our own home!

While we're in the moment, it's worth taking a peek at Annika Von Holdt's instagram snaps of the Bahama's (I know it's another island but....) - when she's not in the Bahama's she at her Copenhagen home - either way....  And (just cos I hear you) here's some pool and beautiful ocean inspiration too. If you close your eyes you can almost feel the warm sun and cool salt water on your skin. 

Roll on summer!

Have a dreamy day!

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The perfect boutique design hotel for a surprise?

Did I tell you that the man and I have made a deal to surprise one another with a weekend away this year? It could be anything from camping, or an overnight stay in the world's smallest hotel to a long weekend in a beautiful Riad in Marrakesh (here's me hoping!!). Naturally, my travel radar has gone into over drive (cue hours on Pinterest). And then I came across Hotel Henriette Rice Gauche in the Mouffetard district of Paris. Hotel Henriette is a new boutique hotel with thirty-two individually designed bedrooms created by interior designer Vanessa Scoffier, as well as a vintage winter garden and a library. If you're looking for bedroom inspiration, this post is for you! Better still, if you're going to Paris, could this be your home from home? Let's take a peek inside....

 

 

 

Photography: Hotel Henriette thank you to At Home In Love and Avenue Lifestyle who inspired this post.

What do you think? A good hotel for a surprise weekend with P?!

The most inspiring thing about these rooms (for me) is the paint. I thought geometric / half painted walls were reserved for a modern-cool look. But seeing the bedroom painted half and half in pastel green and pink makes me think it could be the route to a pretty, romantic boudoir. I'm of course loving the vintage finds and retro pieces too.

Is there anything that stands out to you?

Other dream hotels on my hit list include this little piece of paradise in the Philippines,  and a beautiful oasis on the Greek island of Mykonos. *sigh*, imagine?!

More bedroom inspiration here and here.

Have a wonderful day!

PS I'm on a whirl wind tour of New York right now for my book - so exciting! Things are a little hectic so I apologise in advance if my posts appear a little later than usual...or perhaps not at all on certain days!

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A dreamy space in Santorini

Mondays are made for dreaming aren't they? And, be still my beating heart...I've just found a little touch of paradise that will keep us all dreaming all week!  Photographer Sara Medina Lind has just visited Santorini (now top on my list!) and stayed a couple of night at Sophia Suites. Thankfully for us she got out her camera and captured breath-taking vistas from the magnificent rooftop (complete with lush pool), serene white interior and beautiful designer pieces within. Could you imagine spending a few days here?!

Simple stunning! That view!

We can't all have magnificent rooftop pools overlooking the mediterranean.....

.....but we can certainly steal ideas (after all - if it weren't for the rounded stone walls the interior could almost be Scandinavian right?).

I spy:  Black rattan hanging chair / Lounge chair and ottoman / Carl Hansen CH07 shell chair / Z1 pendant light - black sisal /  Plywood group LCW chair.

Other fabulous hotels for a whole load more of Monday morning dreaming: a little piece of paradise in the philippines, and a magnificent seaside design hotel on Mykonos.

Have a wonderful, dreamy start to the week!

PS The voting is now open for the Amara International blog awards and I've been selected to be in the running for category 'Best European Interiors Blog' so exciting!!  If you'd like to vote for me and make my day you can do so here - it only takes a second, I promise!

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