André Dubreuil

Artist André Dubreuil has devoted 20 years to the meticulous restoration of his family's grand 18th-century chateau. 

When I am surrounded by beauty, whether it’s in nature or with objects, that’s when I am at my happiest... When I am here, I never want to leave, he says as he heads down a tree-lined driveway to the 18th-century estate.

Well, I would also be chained to the place if I were he. Sigh, swoon and suspire...

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Longing for Babylonstoren...

After pouring over photos from the past year, I came across these of a visit to Babylonstoren last winter. What a place! Must get my fix soon...

A Winter Landscape

Beautiful, aren't they? 

By artist, Martin Beek...

The winter landscapes began in late October. They are often based around Ipsden or Oxfordshire locations, most were drawn in or near to my car on the way to work. They are often bleak open places, influenced by Graham Sutherland's etchings or Rembrandt's small landscapes, they are bisected by the page divide...

Via here

Farming never looked so glamorous...

Believe it or not, this is the Agriculture Museum in Városliget, Budapest...

Via here

Merry Christmahanakwanzika

Jardim Botânico Bosque Rodrigues Alves

Via here (Read more here)

Unruffled

Photographed by Beppe Brancato for Casa Vogue...

Via here

Teal and Green

Kate Moss photographed by Mario Testino for the December (2013) issue of Vogue...

Ballinlough Castle, County Westmeath

See more here. Via here

A Fine Frenzy

In the house of Catherine Martin and Baz Luhrman...

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The Legacy of uTata Mandela

Mourning a Leader, Celebrating a Legacy - the South African Parliament pays tribute to a great man. It was a privilege for my family and I to be able to walk through the grounds of parliament in Cape Town yesterday. We were very moved by what we saw...

Patina

Via here

The Hart and the Hunter

Whew! Things have been insanely busy here. Went straight from shooting a film into mom mode for our provincial swimming championships with my daughter for 5 days.

Not to mention trying to absorb the enormity of the passing of Nelson Mandela. There are simply no words to adequately express the gratitude we have for our noble former president who epitomised selflessness...

In the meantime, I found this fabulous treasure in Los Angeles (The Hart and the Hunter) via Remodelista...

Read more here

12 Henrietta Street

The decline of the Irish economy in the 19th century led to the deterioration of many houses which once boasted noble beginnings. It is reported that a horse once lived in Number 14. Recently, the Irish Georgian Society has strongly petitioned for the preservation of many such Dublin buildings, and thankfully 12 Henrietta is now in good hands, with an owner hellbent on restoring the house and safeguarding its glory...

Read more about the house here