Two amazing Spanish cities - Bilbao and San Sebastian

More pics from my summer in Europe! I need to pick up the pace a bit as I'm still not through the first country we saw. So today I'm showing you two cities - Bilbao, the capital of Basque Country and home to the famous Guggenheim, and San Sebastian, a resort like city with a great beach - especially for a city!

First, Bilbao -

The iconic Guggenheim

Sweetums and I under a sculpture outside the Guggenheim

Koons's adorable "Puppy" in front of the Guggenheim

We got to Bilbao late in the afternoon, so unfortunately we don't have too many photos

Now - San Sebastian





The above photos are all from a hill you hike to the top of. It has an old fort that offers great city views.

From the beach side

On the beach - which was so clean and pretty for being in a city.

Hope you enjoyed!

A STUNNER of a house. Clean design without being boring

This is one of the best house tours I've ran across lately. I think the design is unique in that so much right now is french country or retro. I like the super polished look of this, but the colors and furnishings keep it cozy. What do you think?

Love the architectural elements







via KML Design

Great book giveaway! The Irish Country House

A great giveaway for you! The book "The Irish Country House" by the Knight of Glin and James Peill. Photography by James Fennel. The photos are surely a treat as so many of these interiors, though still occupied, look as if they haven't changed a bit through time. It's a great holiday time book. It should, however, be called the The Irish Country Castle - or Estate, as these are no little cottages. To enter to win a copy of the book simply leave a comment on this post. A winner will be drawn at random after the contest closes on November 10 at 5PM EST. Good luck















The book is available here through Amazon, or through the publisher, The Vendome Press.

Bright, airy, laid back interiors

Thought you'd enjoy these, they're some great casual spaces that make me feel relaxed. Enjoy!






such a peaceful bedroom

via Casa Diez

Which magazine featured this house best? A fun election!

Can we all give a hallelujah to the end of political ads? I wish there was a rule that in political ads candidates could only talk about the positive things they've done and want to do- and NOT mention any other candidates!

So, I thought I'd have a fun election. We have the same house - the home of the folks who run Indenfor & Udenfor, featured by 7 different publications. I want you to vote which magazine featured the home best. You can click on each image for a larger view.

The above 6 are from Vtownen, Holland, February 2006

The four images above are from Skona Hem, Sweden, 2003

These 5 are from a Japanese article, "Lives with the Scandinavian Tools"

These 5 are as seen in Henne, Norway, October 2002

The above 6 from Elle Decoration, UK, January 2005

These 5 are from Case de Abitare, Italy, November 2003

The above four are from Bolig Magasinet, April 2003, Denmark

So, who gets your vote?

A. Vtwonen

B. Skona Hem

C. Japan "Lives with the Scandinavian Tools

D. Henne

E. Elle Decoration UK

F. Casa de Abitare

E. Bolig Magasinet

Can't wait to hear what you guys think!

all images via Idenfor & Udenfor