Five Acre Barn is an award winning, contemporary bed and breakfast/ holiday rental set in five acres of tranquil garden and woodland. Aldeburgh is the nearest town to the site, a beautiful place on the Suffolk Coast in the East of England, close to Snape Maltings. Blee Halligan Architects were asked to transform a tired brick barn, which sits in five acres of mixed woodland. Their proposal was for the demolition of an existing 1970’s cottage annex, replaced by a new building containing five en-suite bedrooms.The roof profile is a very unique undulating form that gives a dynamic shape to the duplex interiors of each room and the entire building is wrapped in cedar shingles. Internally, the rooms have generous living, dressing and bathing spaces, with a bedroom accessed from a bespoke staircase. The upgraded 5th bedroom is more generous in scale, with a 6 metre high living space and…

Domaine Les Martins is located in Les Martins, an ancient Hamlet in the community of Gordes dating back to the 1600s, when it was founded for agricultural purpose. Only a few minutes away the famous town of Gordes is perched on top of a cliff overlooking the Luberon Valley. Its dramatic setting is not only attracting tourists from all over the world, but has also earned it the classification as one of 100 most beautiful French villages.  Domaine Les Martins offers you the attractions of Gordes in a peaceful and tranquil setting off the beaten tourist path. Located in the heart of the “golden triangle” between Gordes, Menerbes and Lacoste you are in the best spot to start your journey and explore the famous Provence, with its infinite rolling hills, lavender fields, wineries, medieval towns and cultural centers . Photography : Don Freeman See also :https://house-diaries.com/cajun-houses-a-don-freemans-photo-trip-to-louisiana/

The historic Walper Hotel in Canada’s Silicon Valley North is the new hot spot for Kitchener Waterloo’s growing tech community. With newly opened offices of Yahoo, Google and other major tech players, as well as Waterloo’s RIM and the Perimeter Institute, this area located an hour from Toronto is proving to be one of the fastest growing communities in the country. Downtown Kitchener’s most recognizable landmark, the historic Walper Hotel played a pivotal role in the city’s social and cultural scene since opening in 1893. Designated as a historic landmark under the Ontario Heritage Act in 1983, the list of luminaries who stayed at the hotel include the Queen Mother, many prime ministers and many jazz greats. Decades later, the heritage site’s dated accommodations were unable to meet the contemporary demands of modern business travelers and locavore millennials looking for a landing spot. The region’s burgeoning tech industry attracts a…

The Costa da Vela Nature Reserve in Galicia sits on the very edge of Europe. Here, untamed, sparsely inhabited land meets the wild Atlantic with long stretches of beautiful white beaches. In 2004, on one of the sandy paths which wind down through the pine trees to the sea, Jamie Fobert and Dominique Gagnon came across a long-abandoned house. Entranced by their chance discovery, they undertook 12 years of negotiation, purchase, design, planning and construction to transform the ruin into a comfortable rural bolthole. From the path, the house looks much the same as it ever did: strong walls built of chunky, irregular granite blocks. But concealed behind the original walls, excavated into the rock is a 155m2 four-bedroom house and courtyard. The interior is simply detailed, revealing the building’s construction. The granite walls and chestnut ceiling are exposed. In the kitchen, a vernacular barrel-vaulted ceiling has been made out…

My Sister & The Sea is a 1950’s weatherboard cottage transported from Sweden. The cottage is run by two sisters, Sarah and Emma, who have turned their childhood cottage into a beautiful rental home overlooking the sea. They, along with their families, have spent endless summers there, sandy feet , long meals, naps on daybeds, swimming, fishing, exploring, jigsaw puzzles, dreaming, laughing and loving. Winters, are so happily spent by the fire reading, drinking wine and sleeping in….. The cottage has that typical holiday feel, with calm colors, daybeds to lounge on and a nice nautical theme running thoughout the home. It is located a short walk to many beautiful beaches. Each are distinct, unique and magical. You can also book this dreamy house in Airbnb!!!! See also :https://house-diaries.com/captains-rest-a-waterfront-heritage-cabin-on-tasmanias-west-coast/

If you want to escape from the hustle and bustle of life, here is a place to go.Villa Electra is nestled into the Portuguese countryside within walking distance of the Atlantic Ocean. It is the perfect opportunity to experience traditional Portuguese flair. The house has the features of a simple rural home: a thatched roof, a white oiled facade, a one-story building, but inside the guests will find a magnificent design with local ethnic notes.Such a wonderful home!!!! You can book it here…. See also :https://house-diaries.com/ana-ana-an-artistic-habitat-in-algarve-portugal/

Situated in the heart of the medieval walled village of Saint Paul de Vence but benefitting from glorious views of both the sea to the south and the mountains to the north, the 100 sq metre apartment has just been beautifully restored while keeping all of its amazing original features.The apartment was owned and lived in during the 1940s by the legendary French poet, writer and screenwriter Jacques Prévert. In Prévert’s old house, you’ll be staying in a piece of French history, with its ancient wooden beams, huge open fireplace for cozy winter nights, large vaulted-ceiling bathroom accessed through a mysterious tunnel and two large en-suite double bedrooms with fresh French linen sheets on the superking beds.If you ever find yourself in the South of France this looks like the perfect place to stay. You can book it through Airbnb here !!!!! See also :https://house-diaries.com/les-moutons-a-traditional-provence-farmhouse-in-france/

OKHA is a Cape Town based interior design studio. They are creators of progressive, elegant furniture and lighting, as well as artisanal objects and contemporary floor art. Their design is inspired by an enquiring contemporary aesthetic and timeless classicism, with a deep respect for natural materials and traditional craftsmanship. They created statement pieces for the new luxury safari lodge, Cheetah Plains, which is set in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. They worked in close collaboration with ARRCC (the architects and interior designers) and architect, Stefan Antoni of SAOTA. Through this process, OKHA experimented with various metals and finishes exploring oxidised, patinated and etched processes on mild steel, brass and copper to create a lustre and depth that resonated with the project brief. Marble and stone were also chosen according to grain and colour that resonated with the African bushveld.” The project consists of three independent bush houses, named Mapogo, Mvula and…

This summer villa on the Spanish island of Menorca designed by Atelier du Pont is a real treasure! Summer homes usually do not offer some interesting and unique interior design, but in this case, the inner spaces are designed in a fresh and such wonderful way!!!!!The villa combines traditional Spanish details, elements of colonial style, and colorful Middle Eastern notes together with modern chic features. In addition, the house is filled with interesting art objects and designer pieces of furniture, which add uniqueness and identity to interiors. And the location and territory are just breathtaking! The villa can be rented so you can find more information on Es Bec d’Aguila’s website. Photography : Karel Balas See also :https://house-diaries.com/la-hermandad-de-villalba-an-18th-century-iberian-villa/

This house is in Palm Springs, CA is a unique home in a spectacular location. The house features a geodesic dome invented by Buckminster Fuller and is sited in the large wind farm at the north end of Palm Springs. It has an interesting history. It was originally built in the 1950s as a weekend family vacation home for a chemical engineer from Torrance, CA. The house was built without an architect and was pieced together by neighbors and local residents. It remained unchanged until only a few years ago, when California architect Pavlina Williams, AIA and her husband discovered the house and recognized it as a diamond in the rough. Pavlina redesigned the dome, adding the triangular and other geometric windows which now provide panoramic views of the area. She completely renovated and remodeled the interior as well, introducing a treasure of mid-century modern furniture and design.The house is…

Lia Retreat is a luxury villa in Mykonos designed by Stones & Walls Studio, boasting its supreme location and its high quality services. If you are planning to visit the enchanting island of Mykonos for your summer vacation, for a romantic getaway or for holding your wedding in the most romantic atmosphere, this Mykonos family villa provides the ultimate accommodation. Explore the Cycladic architecture and the breathtaking views to steep cliffs and the Aegean Sea, while enjoying every single moment you spend in pure luxury and comfort. The décor is compliant to the distinctive architecture of the island of Mykonos, with a minimalistic character and touches of modernity that add to the overall elegance of the villa. Enjoy the natural sunlight that enters each room generously, due to the large windows that also offer exquisite views. You can contact this fantastic place here!!!! Photography : George Fakaros  See also :https://house-diaries.com/residence-in-mykonos-clean-lines-with-special-attention-to-details/