There's something so light and effortless about Jarlath Mellett's Manhattan loft. Bathed in all white and soft grey tones, it seems the perfect retreat from the city chaos. Very relaxed and unfussy, with a worldly well-travelled sophistication and subtle little hints of glamour throughout. There's a natural, earthy element which makes it feel very grounded.  The space doesn't read as overly masculine or feminine, just a calm neutrality.

In a Cape Town loft filled with a very impressive collection of colourful art, one piece stood out to me, and it was actually a piece of furniture. Strikingly simple, yet very interestingly detailed, to easily complement the quietest or the busiest of spaces. I'm lusting after this beautiful console in gold and white marble, to me it is a piece of art all on its own.

Nothing beats the dramatic impact of simple, bold stripes - chevron always has just that touch, with a twist! Here are some of my current favourite pieces in chevron - pillows by Honey Pie Designs, and lucite trays by Tilly Maison, both found on etsy.

This space is a prime example of how to live large in a (very!) small space.Tommy's former apartment, (pictured here) was a mere 180 square feet, but you can see that he's spared no effort to cram as much fabulous into each square inch as possible! This tiny space has been transformed into a veritable gentleman's haven, reminiscent of a classic country club.

Ann's limited edition prints of this piece are available through her site here.

{Photos: 1,2 - Ann Carrington; 3,4 - Sixx Design - discovered at eyeseepretty}

This weekend in particular, I'm longing to flee the oppressive cold and head south to sunny skies. I have some very special memories at the time of year in Florida, and while Miami will always be a favourite, I loved the relaxed, laid back atmosphere of The Postcard Inn in St Pete Beach, Florida. The Postcard Inn really is the epitome of laid-back cool - with a fun 1950's surfer theme, it's quirky, retro styling and relaxed, casual atmosphere make it a hip bohemian retreat.

Designer Sabrina Linn transformed her urban, industrial loft space into a warm and luxurious haven through a rich blend of pattern, texture and traditionally styled, elegant furniture that is a little unexpected in this type of building. Using warm tones - orange, copper and gold accents throughout, the space exudes a warmth that contrasts so beautifully with the soaring high ceilings and open, airy windows. While the space isn't huge, the open layout and traditional gold details make it feel quite luxurious.

Rather than describe herself on her website, stylist and designer Sabrina Linn knew that often objects can speak louder than words, in this case, all the little commodities she carries so close to her. Of course, my nosey side was all too delighted. 

Here's the rundown on what you'll find inside Sabrina's handbag:

The bag: a great leather bag, big enough for all of life's necessities but still chic enough to schlepp around town

Notepads + Daytimer: So old school what can I say? In bright pink and ready to take down notes with a felt pen. Best yet: they never run out of batteries!

Swatches: be it fabric or paint for the next time. Keep them around because you never know when you're going to find their perfect match.

Modern technology: music to provide a soundtrack and snaps to make it all more memorable.

Thank you cards: - be a little Doris Day - a handwritten note goes a long way in this day of email. Best to keep them on hand so that you can write them before you forget.

Identity: whether crossing the border or circulating at a cocktail party, always be ready to have proof of who you really are

Inspiration: - magazines or books - in this case the ultimate style icon himself David Hicks. Sure it's heavy but you never know when you need a little style hit to get you going (or something hard to write on!)

{Photos/text: Angus Fergusson for Sabrina Linn}

I love the dynamic constrasts in the Madrid apartment of interior stylist Maria Muro. Classic architecture with modern furniture. All white with bright colours. Straight clean lines mixed with curves. Antiques mixed with modern pieces in lucite. There are so many interesting things happening in each corner of the space. It feels comfortable and lived in, not overworked.