Design Insiders’ Weekly Finds: August 12

Bloggers, editors, and designers share their favorite links from around the Web

By Elle Decor Staff

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Photo: Sotheby's International Realty

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“For the past few weeks I have been obsessed with the swimming pool and gardens of a Tuscany Estate that once belonged to Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti. In fact, I have the photo of the pool as my screen saver. Any time the Scottish weather has me down I just stare at my desktop. The exquisite country estate, created by landscape architect Paolo Peirone, is set in the medieval hill town of Cetona, Italy. The property went on the market last year and you can see more images here."
—Ronda Carman, All the Best Blog 

“Maybe it’s because I’m immersed in my Rosetta Stone French Level 1 lessons, but I keep imagining myself as an expat living in a chic Paris apartment. Feeding my daydreams is Samuel Johde’s Loft Connexion, a showcase of some of the most delicious lofts in Paris. I’ve got dibs on this stunner in the La Défense district.”
—Jonathan Fong, Style With A Smile

“The more cool apps I discover for my iPad, the more I feel like I’m developing an actual relationship with that infinitely versatile, astonishingly useful chunk of electronics. It’s the very same impulse that drove design curator Paola Antonelli to assemble an excellent show, “Talk to Me: Design and Communication Between People and Objects” (through Nov. 7) at New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). It’s chock full of astonishing gadgets and digital interfaces that document just how far our love affair with technology, with all its highs—and maddeningly frustrating 404 error message lows—has progressed.”
—Linda Tischler, senior editor, Fast Company  

“I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect step-through bicycle for the better part of a year. My latest two-wheel crush is the Betty Foy from Rivendell Bicycle Works in Walnut Creek, California. I came across this gem a few days ago online, and haven’t been able to take my eyes off it. The bike is beyond beautiful, and would be perfect for dreamy rides with someone special or for tackling errands around town.”
—Rosemary Brennan, Ro Ro Ro Your Blog

“I must admit that my house tends to be decorated a bit on the girly side. So my latest obsession has been injecting elements that are both feminine and masculine, like these handmade Geode Rock Bowls by Blue Room Pottery, $34. The outside of the bowl is rustic and manly while the inside looks like a big sparkly jewel. It's a win-win for my husband and I.”
—Camila Pavone, Effortless Style 

“I’ve been busy planning my trip to next month’s London Design Festival, but I’m even more excited about Dublin Contemporary, a new visual arts extravaganza that opens September 6. It’s impossible not to be entranced by these photos of the main exhibition site , Earlsfort Terrace, and I can’t wait to see how the contemporary artists ’ work plays off these amazing historical spaces.
—Stephanie Murg, UnBeige 

“I love seeing Carlie Armstrong's intriguing work.place studio visits with our incredible local designers and artists here in Portland. Every post makes me feel even more proud of my community and her photographs are absolutely beautiful.
—Jen McCabe, Honey Kennedy 

What did you love this week? Let us know in the comments below! Plus, click here to see what we were reading this week .

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