i’ve yet to get myself to greece, but it’s on my bucket list. all that white-washed beauty along those dreamy blue Mediterranean seas have got to be even more stunning when seen in person. and should i get there this spot would be high on my list of places to stay. after collapsing in a devastating earthquake of 1933, Sterna Nisyros Residence is the first house to be restored in the medieval castle in the mountainous village of Pantoniki in Emborios, designed by Gregory Hadjiioanidis and architect Giorgos Tsironis. they’ve maintained the natural, minimalist beauty so traditional in this part of the world, and i can’t help but think one would really get away from it all in this utterly picturesque and preserved place of peaceful beauty.

• photography courtesy of sterna.

we’re giving away those pretty moroccan rugs again! everyone’s so enthusiastic when we give away one of the gardener’s house’s (formerly the pink rug co.) soft, plush rugs, so, we thought it was about time for another giveaway! the the gardener’s house offers much-coveted, vintage Moroccan rugs with the sleek minimalist style that ruled during the mid-20th century. Modern, timeless and joyfully colorful, the gardener’s house carries a hand-selected collection of Boucherouite and definitive custom Beni Ourain rugs that embody the gorgeous style that made regional rugs prized design accessories with Le Corbusier and the modernists. the gardener’s house specializes in the most unique and fabulous Moroccan rugs around and we’re going to give away one of these beautiful rugs OF YOUR CHOICE, valued at $800 this week!

to enter to win a rug from the gardener’s house valued at a maximum of $800, simply:

• follow the the gardener’s house on pinterest.

• repin your favorite rug from the pinterest board “the gardener’s house“.

• comment here on the blog letting us know you followed & pinned, by monday, september 25th at midnight pst.

• hurrah! this giveaway is worldwide!

• as always, please be sure to leave a way to contact you via twitter, facebook, your blog or email.

• we’ll announce the randomly selected winner the week of september 25th on my twitter, so be sure to follow along.

featured recently in country style magazine and photographed so beautifully by marnie hawson this is one lovely, albeit rustic country home. in fact, this is actually a former 1870’s bacon factory in south australia’s Adelaide Hills. the stonework alone makes it so cozy looking — but add the freestanding fireplace to the kitchen and exposed white-washed beam ceilings and that’s a place i could hunker down all winter long. give me a stack of great reading material and i’m good to go. you already know i’m a sucker for all those vintage portrait paintings, but throw in that gorgeous sofa (perhaps an ode to ‘blue velvet’?) and i’m done for. to view the rest of this pretty place, along with its lush green grounds, visit country style magazine.

• photography by marnie hawson for country style magazine.