This time of year is when I start dreaming of country houses–an escape from the city where coffee is taken on Adirondack chairs and the”to do” list of the day consists of making blueberry jam flecked with lemon zest, catching up on the piles of magazine and contemplating what we’ll grill for dinner that evening.  That said, it’s of no surprise that I have fallen in love with the home of gallerist Stuart Shave in Norfolk, England.  Designed by architect David Kohn, the house is a converted stable from the 19th century.  I love the combination of materials used– the concrete with the white painted brick, soft textiles and the beautiful wooden dining table.  Now if only it was available to rent…..

*via Design to Inspire

A couple week ago T magazine featured this incredible house that sits on a 15-acre site on the San Juan Islands in the Pacific Northwest. Designed as a weekend retreat for a Seattle resident, the house was designed by Tom Kundig, of Olson Kundig Architects. I love the combination of materials, the balance of concrete, glass, steel and the surrounding rock and wood make it feel both modern and rustic.  If only I could live here….

How gorgeous is this house?  We’ve been having a bit of a heatwave here in NYC that has left me dreaming about heading upstate to jump in cool crisp lakes, eat homemade blueberry pies and catch up on the stack of magazines that is continuing to grow on my coffee table.

The Ten Broeck Cottage by Messana O’Rorke Architects located in Hudson, New York, is the perfect juxtaposition of old and new; I love the reclaimed pine floor boards and richly oiled wood against the stainless steel and slate.  The farmhouse sits on eight acres, four of which are filled with Rome apple trees and the Taghkanic Creek runs alongside the property with “plunge spots.”  It’s pretty clear that this three bedroom house would be the perfect getaway with some of our dearest friends.  Lucky for us, you can rent the house here.