Best Things #02

We’ve just bought the studio apartment next door to ours, with the intention of bashing through to expand our 80 sq/m 2 bedroom flat into a roomy open planned 120 m/sq space. This is why I haven’t been doing much online this week, other than pin thrilling wide-open loft-style apartments to my I Could Live There Pinterest board, so this week’s Best Things post is all about apartments to die for.
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I realise that a flat on the 2nd floor of a Deco building doesn’t have a lot in common with an architect-built, self-designed family house overlooking Camps Bay, but my view of open plan living spaces was forever changed by my visit last year to Gwen & Gawie Fagan’s home Die Es, and I’m inspired by the way they defined distinct areas with particular uses within a large open space.

(image: Freunde von Freunden)
See more of the images I shot of this classic Cape Town home here.
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While we’re talking unrealistic expectations, there’s also this spot belonging to Antoninio Sciortino (clipped from ELLE Decoration Netherlands) – all  soaring ceilings and outdoor plants indoors. Sigh…

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My Better Homes & Gardens Decorating book from the 50’s (thanks, Matt Allison!) is already starting to bristle with post-its. Love the illustrations.. and the hot tips too.


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Talking of vintage home books, I’m wondering if my groaning shelves could handle the addition of Catriona Gray’s House & Garden Fifties House book to my collection. Would it be overkill or evidence of committment? Seriously tempted…

While I decide, there are lots more pics online for inspiration.
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Then there are my scrapbooks to plunder, where I’ve started a general lookbook of details we admire too: Clockwise, from left:

Slasto floor and doorframe detailing in the home of Ana Escarzaga ;

A partial wall (photo by Ivan Hunter) ;

The clever hanging system (and furniture and bagged brick) in this West Coast ranch house (photo by Art Grey) ;

The stylish friendliness in this poloroid by KitchCafe on Flickr.
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Still, without a doubt,  Anita Calero’s Chelsea loft is my idea of perfection, and even if our renovation ends up with little in common, I will continue to return to gaze upon pics of these glorious rooms.

 

This won’t be the last post on the topic, and the next may be a bit less dreamy and a bit more moany, if previous experiences of renovations have anything to go on.