Opening on Aug. 29, London's Ampersand Hotel is on the top of our must-stay list. Located in South Kensington, the hotel takes its inspiration from the city's world-famous museum district and the iconic ampersand symbol. The hotel embraces Victorian values and traditions in all of its 111 boutique rooms and suites — but the execution is entirely modern, thanks to the keen eye of Dexter Moren Interiors, the firm behind the design. Believe it or not, the Ampersand Hotel's design has already been shortlisted for a design award — even before it's opened its doors!

With inspiration taken from botany, geometry, ornithology, music, and astronomy, the hotel's room designs reference everything from the V&A's costume collection to the musical notes of the Royal Albert Hall. While this hotel property was originally built in 1888, the complete redesign of its historic rooms and hallways truly transcend any one time or style. Take a tour of the soon-to-open boutique hotel, and then book a stay soon — rooms start at under $200, so this is a design destination where you can afford to linger.

When Parisian artist Alix Soubiran, the founder and creative force behind wallpaper company Princes & Crows, first discovered the Los Angeles neighborhood of Los Feliz, she knew that she'd found her perfect spot in the sprawling metropolis. Alix told me, "I felt I could live happily in LA when I discovered Los Feliz. It is an eclectic and vibrant community with charming houses in a green and hilly neighborhood. It is also the home of coyotes, skunks, squirrels, and hummingbirds. I am able to walk to the magazine stand, have a croissant at Figaro, go to Blue Rooster Art Supplies, get lost in time at Skylight Books, and watch a movie at the Los Feliz 3. It is like living in a village."

Extensive renovation of a Los Feliz bungalow, which Alix describes as "mid-century California meets 18th-century France," has provided the perfect home for Alix, her boyfriend Joe Mauceri, their daughter Monica-Moonshine, and their rabbit Mr. Pikapou.

Keep clicking to tour their home, and to hear more about Alix's wallpaper company, her history as an artist and muralist, and the story of their home.

Photos courtesy of Michael Robinson Chavez

Built in 2009 and featured in the April 2010 issue of Dwell magazine, this gorgeous modern home, situated in Yucca Valley, is absolutely dreamy. Even better: it's available to rent. Before you head to the Southern California desert for your picture-perfect design vacay, though, why not take a virtual turn around this house, built by Blue Sky Building Systems? With features including large sliding glass doors that lead out to decks and patios, a home theater A/V system, perfectly selected modern furniture, and a picturesque swimming hole, you may want to book a stay today!

If you're a fan of Anthropologie's catalog shoots, bohemian style, and animal-filled interiors, this cool Georgian house in London's Stockwell district is bound to rise to the top of your faves list. Featuring spacious rooms with unexpected colors and bold furniture pairings, it's an absolutely fun and funky property. Keep clicking to take the tour, and see how many animals you can count decorating this bohemian dream of a house.

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Eco-chic retailer VivaTerra has just released its latest Fall offerings, and we've fallen in love with quite a few. There are plenty of pieces to tempt you, from quirky ottomans to French balloon pendants. Take a peek at our current favorites and find one of your own!

With Labor Day just around the corner, school will soon be back in session, and there are lots of stylish options, whether you're hitting the books this Fall or simply need a smart way to integrate desk space into your home. We've rounded up 11 solid choices that reflect a variety of design sensibilities. See what we have in store, from midcentury-modern selections to a more romantic antique styles.

Open through Sept. 3, the Hamptons Designer Showhouse is a feast for the eyes and a definite destination for anyone interested in seeing the best in designer rooms. For those who can't make it to the house in person, we're also offering a peek at each gorgeous room. Keep clicking to take a tour!

Source: Eric Striffler Photography

While the newest edition of The Shops at Target may not hit stores and Target.com until Sept. 9, we have a special preview for you today! With some truly fun finds, you're going to want to make a list of all of your favorite pieces to ensure you can nab them once they're stocked at your stores. This Fall, The Shops at Target are featuring PATCH NYC. and The Curiosity Shoppe.

PATCH NYC at Target was created by Boston-based boutique owners Don Carney and John Ross, and the collection features more than 50 pieces including bedding, barware, candles, pillows, lamps, and more, priced at $5 to $200.

The Curiosity Shoppe at Target, created by shop owners Lauren Smith and Derek Fagerstrom, includes nearly 60 products ranging from pillows to stationery to games, with prices ranging from $3 to $25.

At such affordable prices, you owe it yourself to stock up! Shop your favorites now.

When you've trained as an architect, pilot, and photographer, it makes sense that your sense of perspective may be a bit heightened — in every sense of the word. That's exactly what readers will find when they check out architect-turned photographer/pilot Alex MacLean's book Up on the Roof: New York's Hidden Skyline Spaces ($50). In this new book, MacLean documents the rooftops of New York City — an oft-overlooked extension of most people's living spaces — revealing bathing beauties, sky-high basketball courts, swank patios, and much more. Keep reading to get a sneak peek at some of the fascinating photos from the book.

Source: Up on the Roof

Built five years ago by architect Bengt Lindroos, this gorgeous modern home in Baggensfjärden, Sweden seems like the perfect compound for hosting an extended Summer family vacation. The main home has four bedrooms, while two traditional fisherman's cottages at water's edge provide additional room to bunk your family members. Whether you spend your days boating, exploring the surrounding countryside, or hanging out on the courtyard patio, this is a gorgeous home to spend your vacation — or every day — in. It's also on the market for $2.6 million, so consider putting in an offer!

Source: Skeppsholmen

With the lines blurring between outdoor and indoor furniture and decor, now's the time to get creative with your boundaries. By bringing in outdoor pieces to your indoor spaces, you can add unique and unexpected style. Even better: shop the pieces at the end of the season and you can score them on sale! Keep reading to see a dozen of our favorites.

The late, great star of films including Easy Rider, Dennis Hopper had a distinct style, which was reflected in his acting style, photography, art, and real estate. His Venice, CA, property, which included an industrial-inspired 5,000-square-foot main house, a pool house, guest cottage, and condominiums, showcased his sensibility. The industrial-look main structure, clad in corrugated metal, was designed by Brian Murphy, and the condos were designed by Frank Gehry.

Come take a tour of the property, which just sold for $5 million. The home, whose decor embraces a bohemian, industrial, masculine vibe, comes courtesy of stager Meridith Baer.

Source: Hopper Compound

As Gore Vidal famously noted, "Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn." This eclectic British home is a perfect example of that famous author's quote. Combining classic British furniture staples such as the chesterfield with framed Sex Pistol posters and shark heads on the wall, this is an absolutely unique home. We're in admiration of the owner, a travel writer and former designer, and her distinct style and humour. Come take the tour, and then book a visit through One Fine Stay.

Frank Sinatra's renovated Upper East Side penthouse, up for sale for $7.7 million, is no stranger to celebrity admiration. Once called the "glittering grotto in the sky" by Andy Warhol, it's an elegant and decidedly cool property. The main floor includes an open kitchen, dining room, living room, and three bedrooms, while a glass staircase takes you upstairs to the master suite. The new owners will also enjoy the views from the penthouse's two wraparound terraces.

We couldn't resist matching this impeccable penthouse with six modern day celebrities who we think would match the style of the property and the former owner. Keep reading to see who they are, and why we think they should live in Old Blue Eyes' penthouse.

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Source: Rubicon Properties

While we all dream of far-off destinations, sometimes it's just not in the cards, especially this late into the Summer season. Instead, why not let some of the world's most gorgeous vacation destinations serve as inspiration for your staycation? Today, we're cribbing notes from the incredibly gorgeous Taj Exotica Resort and Spa in the Maldives. See how you can capture this look on your own patio or poolside.