A friend of ours up in Maine told us where he was working on a house so we went and checked it out. At the edge of the forest where the dark, moss-covered spruce trees meet the cliffs of the rugged coastline, Marty’s house is perched on a bunch of footings. The house was built, I believe, in the sixties, and the renovation was more for safety than anything else. Most of the original feel appears to remain – it seems like a modern Scandanavian kit house, and it has such a perfect relationship with its sublime site. These were the best pictures I could get from outside on the deck of a place that’s private property, check them out:

I love this use of beautiful reclaimed wood. This is from Flickr member laurasmera. Wait, that name sounds familiar, I’m having serious deja blog right now, I think laurasmera has made it to favorites before. I just hope it wasn’t this image!

Back to the photo, I would never be able to tuck sheets and blankets in that neatly, I love that blanket. Pointing the lights up onto the wood is a great idea…

As you can tell from my lame writing today, I desperately need my morning coffee. Back with more Flickr faves later!

Is it just me, or is this peacock turning up a lot lately? This one is in the July/August Elle Decor:

While the peacock is beautiful, I’d rather have a LIVE peacock strolling the grounds of my estate than a dead stuffed one up on a ladder in my living room. Taxidermy reminds me too much of Norman Bates.

photograph by William Waldron for Elle Decor

In a continued effort to find environmentally friendly design right under my nose, I present the Netto Collection Moderne Dresser. I’ve been rather obsessed with all things David Netto since that iconic Ione Skye issue of Domino. It has influenced my personal style so much, from the doughnut phone to the striped rug, the rattan to the beautiful wood floors. Now I just need a hanging chair…

What makes it green? It is made from sustainably harvested wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. All composite materials meet the stringent European “E1″ toxicity standards. Finishes are non-toxic and non-VOC emitting. The is safety certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association (JPMA).

Netto is one of my favorite designers. He has such a range. He handles California Neutra houses, Park Avenue apartments, Hamptons showhouses, teenager rooms, exhibitions, nurseries and restaurants with aplomb. To see more of his design work, check out the portfolio on his website. Here’s a teaser for what you’ll find there:

I love the way he considers every object in the room, especially the way he can work a neutral palette to highlight texture and art. This makes each item, like that chair and even the firewood basket, a piece of sculpture. Brilliant!

Thank you for removing the paper towel roll and random dishtowels when styling this shot. They tend to ruin even the best of kitchen design images!

Ione Skye home from Domino, via flickr member xJavierx.

Bottom photos from David Netto Design

In case you missed it, here’s a great link to Aparment Therapy’s Complete Composting Guide. I’ve been thinking of getting a worm composter for my brother for his birthday and did not know where to start. Lo and behold, I was browsing AT and all my questions were answered. Check it out here.

photo via Apartmenttherapy.com