A-Frame House Love

I have a thing for A-frame houses. I don't know if it's the vintage vacation house vibe or my memories of seeing them tucked away in lush wooded spots back home in Ohio... Anyway, I think they're pretty cool. I just felt like crushing on A-frames tonight, and sharing them with you. Enjoy.

{image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15}

Spanish Revival

This week, I've been falling in love with the Spanish Revival style popular in California homes. The roots of this look go back to the Spanish missions in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Many homes were built in the Spanish style during the 1920's-1930's, following the Panama-California Exposition in San Diego from 1915-1917. The Spanish and Moorish architectural influence has remained popular in California ever since then.

There is something so glamorous and welcoming about these grand yet cozy homes. I love the white stucco exterior finish, arched windows, terra cotta tile roofs, carved wooden doors, and beautiful courtyard gardens (especially ones full of bright pink bougainvillea!) that are often seen in these homes. 

When I visited California, many moons ago, I thought this housing style seemed so exotic, compared to the Victorian-influenced designs of my native Ohio. Since I've been living in Australia for several years, I'm becoming more attuned to the warm climate and the relaxed lifestyle prevalent here. I think the Spanish Revival style really suits the mood here in South Australia. I'm daydreaming about having a Spanish-influenced home of my own. Dreams are free, as they say!

Hope you enjoy the sunny vibe of these homes as much as I do.

{image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14}

A Beautiful & Inspiring 1729 Yorkshire Farmhouse

Rachelle Blondel has filled her family's beautiful 1729 Yorkshire farmhouse with lucky second-hand finds and handmade touches. The Blondel family has the good fortune of having a lifetime lease on a parcel of land, as part of a village estate. Their wonderful, rambling farmhouse seems to be full of life and creativity, yet incredibly relaxed. Chickens, pigs, four cats, a dog, and Maud the Caravan share life on the farm with Rachelle, her husband Keith, and their three children, Tom, Jake, and Violet. Rachelle's mantra "live simply - tread gently" is reflected in her home's quiet mood and in her book Forgotten Ways for Modern Days.

Seeing this delightfully quirky family home, and reading Rachelle's blog dock & nettle, has left quite an impression on me. I love how real this home is--not overly styled or straight-out-of-the-box in design. The beauty of hand-crafted details and treasures collected over time create unique, richly layered visual pleasures, and a serene atmosphere. I can imagine many happy family moments being shared in this lovely home.

Rachelle Blondel

Stanley the dog in the lounge

 Rachelle's own ceramic spoon

 kitchen shelves made from old drawers turned on their sides

Rachelle repainted the Ikea kitchen island

 mismatched kitchen cupboard handles from anthropologie

 Rachelle revamped this wardrobe from Ikea

the serene master bedroom

 Rachelle's studio, where she sews, knits, creates ceramics, and does various other projects

 Violet's bedroom

Maud the Caravan

 Rachelle has been in the process of remodelling Maud the Caravan to be a play space for daughter Violet. I would love to spend some lovely idle hours relaxing in this charmingly eclectic haven!

Rachelle made the gorgeous floral bedding and curtains for the caravan

Just look at that crazy patchwork ceiling! Rachelle is amazing.

{all images via apartment therapy}