What If I Had 'This'....... And Then Saw 'That'.....?

What if I had a bedroom styled in a lovely French fashion like this...

Image from Pretty Inspirations on Tumblr

..... and then when I got out of bed and wandered over to the window I looked out and saw that....

Image from La Belle Vie on Tumblr

Now, wouldn't that start the day off pretty darn wonderfully!?

Linda. xox

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Who Else Likes Plates On A Wall?

Down and Out Chic

What a great way to make an unusual, colourful, conversation starting display! Plates are easy to collect, come in all shapes and sizes, and just by grouping them together you've got a personalised and eclectic exhibition of images created around a theme you love.

Down and Out Chic

Down and Out Chic

These 3 images are all from the blog Down and Out Chic, which happens to have a whole category dedicated to plates on a wall! There's over a 100 images showing plates of all sorts, displayed in all sorts of ways.

So, if you don't mind a 'plate on a wall', and you'd like some inspiration aimed at making a magnificent plate display, head on over and take in the scenery!

Linda. xox

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Snippets - I'm also in the mood for some beautiful and inspiring words today.... here's a selection:
A Wonderful Quote About Some Of My Best Friends
A Basic Human Need
A Working Meditation
Be Good To Yourself And The Rest Will Follow
Are You Following Your Bliss?
Home Is...
Does Your Home Help You Feel Like This?

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Doodling...

Whilst sitting and watching T.V. last night I felt the urge to draw something... so I got out my ordinary old black pen, found some writing paper.... and had a good old 'doodle'!

I LOVE trees, as you know, and I've always found it relaxing to just see 'where a tree takes me' if I start to doodle. So tonight, I ended up with this tree and some patterns in its roots, and a sort of patterned border.

Fun!

I have quite a few tree items, objects, and books around my home because externalising my fascination with them connects me to my surroundings in a unique way. Maybe I can use this one as an oversized bookmark!

What do you have a fascination with?

What do you 'doodle' when your pen gets the chance to run free?

Linda. xox

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Whoa!! Do You Like Colour? Take A Look At These Fabulous Photos...

Erin from the gorgeous blog House Of Turquoise just featured some pictures by a designer named Holly Dyment.

What a super discovery! Holly is one colourful lady, and puts rooms together in a way that makes me want to bounce around gleefully. This women uses colour and pattern with abandon and unabashed love.

Yeah!

Here's just 3 images to love. You can see more over on Erin's blog, and even more in Holly's portfolio.

Images from Holly Dyment

Linda. xox

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More - Check out these colourful and pattern filled posts:
Eclectic, Quirky, and Colourful - A Blast Of Fun In Basset Rd!
Jay Jeffers - My New Designer 'Crush'!
More Jay Jeffers - Jay's Own Home

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Monday Music - One Of My Most Favourite Songs...Ever!

This is where it all began (personally one of my fave articles ever!!).

Music is SO important to the happiness of my home. :)

Now most Monday mornings when the working week looms I'll try to post a fave song or some music I'm listening to at the moment to provide some musical motivation.

So my little groovers......... here's today's installment!

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This song is by one of my fave bands from the 80's (gawd I love 80's music) Tears For Fears. I could sing along with this song all day. And, I LOVE the two guys in their tuxedos and bow ties dancing in front of the petrol bowsers. So cool!



And, as always when thinking of our 'Music Must Haves' section...

Ask yourself: 'Do I L.O.V.E music?'

Which leads to: 'Have I got enough of it in my home and in my life?'

Because: Good interior design caters to ALL our senses, not just our eyes.... that's why I call it 'Atmospheric Design' instead!

So go get your groove on!!!!

Cheers,

Linda.

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The Original Musical Must Have:
Where Did The Music Go? - Alternatively Titled Hugh Grant and I Have Something In Common With Our Bottoms!

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A Weekend Wish - And, Some Weekend Wanderings....

Image found on Ada and Darcy

This weekend, may you find somewhere peaceful to sit and gaze upon something beautiful.

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Weekend Wanderings:

♥ Whilst browsing Tumblr a few days ago (so much good stuff to be had!), I came across 'Beautiful Portals'... such a wonderful idea and a lovely name.

For the description summarising her Tumblr the author writes....

You're here, and when you go through them, you're there.
They're beautiful, meaningful or just fun.
They're doors, roads, bridges, corridors, wardrobes, or event horizons.

They're portals.

Such an inspiring Tumblr to take a wander through..... some weekend delights for you!

♥ Plus.... if you LOVE decorating with maps like I do, take a look over here on this blog. There's a few unusual map ideas to take in. What about the map headboard on the bed?

♥ And, here's a wonderful idea for using old books you may be about to throw away or have inherited somehow..... I really like this little project! Please let me know if you try it!

Happy weekend everyone!

Linda. xox

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It's Easy To Make A Simple 'Display of Affection'...

Image from Pretty Inspirations on Tumblr

Look at this lovely little 'display of affection'!

How simple.... the birdcage, bird statue, and flowers all tie in with the wallpaper to create a gorgeous and oh-so-pretty display to catch the eye.

Ask yourself: 'What simple things have I got laying around that I could 'tie in' together as a little themed 'display of affection?'

Because: Charming displays like the one above provide a talking point, but also a way for you to interact with your home in a creative and fun way........ building a connection between yourself and the space in which you live.... ie. connecting 'heart and home'.

Linda. xox

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More - How do you display the things you love? Get ideas from gorgeous 'displays of affection' like these.

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English Cottages - Anyone Else Do This?

Does anyone else watch Midsomer Murders on the T.V. just to gawk in amazement at all the lovely cottages and English gardens that get featured in it?

I love a good murder mystery, so I always enjoy the story. But, even if I've seen the episode a gazillion times before, I'm inexplicably drawn to gaze upon those whimsical, classical, quirky, and elegant exteriors and interiors you can see as we try and discover 'whodunnit'!

All images from the lovely Tumblr English Cottages and Gardens

I just love a good thatched roof!

The vibe I get from these homes is so welcoming, inviting, and heartfelt. Even the larger, grander homes..... I just feel an absolutely unmistakeable soul affinity with them.

At some point, I'm going to have to get to England to see if the vibe oozing from them on the T.V. is just as good in real life! If I believed in past lives I'd definitely have to say I came from somewhere in the British Isles in another lifetime.

Any English readers out there? Or cottage dwellers (hi Bobbi - I know you're  in Italy, but you're in a cottage!)?

Does it feel as good as it looks?

Linda. xox

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Snippets - Because I love colour and pattern..... it brings me joy:
So You're Passionate About Purple? What Does That Mean?
It's A Good Day - And A Glorious Collection Of Red!
A Dreamy, Breezy, Fresh Bedroom...
The Exuberance and Happiness Of Yellow!! Pics To Lift Your Heart...

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1 Simple Thing - What Can I Do With The Space Under The Stairs?

Here's one simple thing you can do.... use it to create a 'day bed' area. A lovely little space to cocoon yourself with a good book and hide away from people's comings and goings (whilst still hearing/glimpsing them go by!!)

Image from Trace Paper on Tumblr

Great idea I think! I'd love sequestering myself under there, feeling like I had my own little almost hidden space, and yet still knowing when people come and go!

It kinda reminds me of the big old tree I used to climb in our back yard when I was a child. I'd stay up there for hours and watch everyone through the branches as they went about their business not knowing I could see them coming and going (a bit more secretive than the daybed above).

So cool! (I had ambitions of being a 'spy' when I was young!)

And, of course, I wouldn't be me if I didn't note the nice cushions too. :)

Linda. xox

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Snippets - What have you 'gotta thing' for? I've 'gotta thing' for:

Owls (getting right to the heart of things)
Trees, Leaves and Acorns (where it all began... perhaps)
Butterflies (memories are so important)
Maps and Globes (brilliant collection of pics)
Books (great photos in this post)
The Colour Red (it's my 'hardwired' colour!)

And you...?

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Personalised Wooden Map Letters - WOW!

Not On The High Street

Quick quiz for me....

1. Do I have 'a thing' for maps? (You bet I do.)
2. Do I love typography and all things letter related? (Oh yeah!)
3. Do I love a little bit of 'French magic' in my decorating? (Yep! One of the covers in my 'almost ready' shop is of the Paris Metro - here's a little peek!)

Pretty obvious then, what I think of these eye catching 'map letters'.

Drool!

The online store where I found them is called Not On The High Street.... and I got lost for a good hour looking around there the other day. WOW!

They have a whole category for decorative letters featuring letters made from wood, metal, dried rose buds, old wooden blocks...... it's typography heaven over there.

Linda. xox

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Urbane Renewal - Home Tour From Martha Stewart

I found this home tour over on Martha Stewart, and just adore the beautiful mellow, golden, buttery tones throughout. I'm also loving the freedom of the art and photo displays, so much to look at!

And, if I ever, EVER, get to live in a home with a bookshelf like the one below, I'll think I've died and gone to heaven..... around the windows AND around the door. Magnificent.

Love the patterns on the walls too, and particularly the butterfly wallpaper in the bedroom. Stunning furniture throughout... all so beautiful and classic.

All images from Martha Stewart here...

Visit this link on Martha Stewart to learn the details and find out more info about every room.

Linda.  xox

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More - Here's another post with some stunning bookshelves... love it! This one's got a few great bookcases in it too!

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Come Dine With Me - No. 5 - Wooden Furniture With Class...

Image from Tumblr via House Hunting In Paris

This photo reminded me instantly of the pics of this house I featured a little while ago. In fact, I can absolutely imagine this is the kitchen from that very house.... it would all blend so beautifully. It's the earthy colours and the detailing on that stunning wooden table, and the wooden benchtop in the background.... so solid and classy.

What a warm and welcoming room to dine in!

And, as always, as a part of this series.....

Ask yourself: 'Do I savour the ritual of eating with my family/friends whenever I can?'

Which leads to: ' When, or how, can I include this precious time together more?'

Because: There's something so primitively delightful and bonding about the 'breaking of bread' (so to speak) with our loved ones. It's a ritual and a tradition that's been crowded out and lost amongst television, technology, and texting! It's time to 'get together' and connect the old fashioned way again.

Cheers,

Linda.

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Check out the home mentioned above:
The Charm, Persona, and Solidity Of Beautiful Furniture

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Monday Music - Hey Soul Sister!

This is where it all began (personally one of my fave articles ever!!).

Music is SO important to the happiness of my home. :)

Now most Monday mornings when the working week looms I'll try to post a fave song or some music I'm listening to at the moment to provide some musical motivation.

So my little musical mavens ......... here's today's installment!

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This song was at the top of our charts here in Aus for a couple of weeks not long ago..... and I love it!

Soul Sister - by Train.



And, as always when thinking of our 'Musical Must Haves' section...

Ask yourself: 'Do I L.O.V.E music?'

Which leads to: 'Have I got enough of it in my home and in my life?'

Because: Good interior design caters to ALL our senses, not just our eyes.... that's why I call it 'Atmospheric Design' instead!

So go get your groove on!!!!

Cheers,

Linda.

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Where It All Began:
Where Did The Music Go? - Alternatively Titled Hugh Grant and I Have Something In Common With Our Bottoms!

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And The Winner Of The Ampersand Cushion Cover Is.....

A BIG thanks to all those who entered my give-away for the Ampersand Cushion Cover by Shannon Lamden from Auntie Cookie!

I wrote all your names down next to a number on a piece of paper (with an extra entry each for Bobbi, Nerine, and Mel for promoting the give-away on their blogs - thanks ladies!).... here you all are....

.... and then I put the numbers through the generator at Random.org .....

and the winner was...

♥ Number 15 - My Owl Barn!! ♥

♥♥♥♥♥ Congratulations! ♥♥♥♥♥

If you send me your address via linda@heartfire.com.au, I'll pop the cushion cover in the mail for you.

I hope you love it as much as I do!

Thanks again to everyone who entered, and to the wonderful ladies who re-blogged it.

I'll be having some more give-aways soon, so stay tuned!

Linda. xox

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The First 'Lovely Links' Showcase - And A Thank You

Image from We Heart It

Hello Wonderfuls!

I've been mulling over how to thank and support those bloggers who've supported, followed, or linked to me so far.... and I think I've come up with a way!

Every month or so, I'm going to put up a 'Lovely Links' Showcase post for my followers to showcase their own favourite posts.

It doesn't have to fit a particular theme.... it just has to be a post you particularly loved, or one you're most proud of, or something you'd love to share... a lovely quote, a gorgeous pic?

If people like this idea, then I'll continue it ad infinitum.

So thanks lovelies! I really appreciate your support. :)

I've added my 2 fave posts of the last week or so below to show what it looks like.

Linda. xox

(Oooh, I get to draw out the winner of my give-away in 2 days!)

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Another Sneak Peek For The Cushionistas Out There...

Hello again Cushionistas!!

Here's another little sneak peek of one of the cushions going into my new shop for fab cushion covers. The London Landmarks Cushion Cover (you can see a bit of it in the background) is a gorgeous linen cover with London's most prominent landmarks mapped on it.

So cute!

It's a caramel background on one side, but on the reverse side it's the same print with a lovely off white background, so you can use it two ways!

It's posing/hiding behind the little vintage globe I picked up at a trash and treasure market for $10 (yay!), and a map in one of my favourite childhood books 'The Weirdstone Of Brisingamen' (I mentioned it here in this post about how much I LOVE maps and globes).

There's still 2+ days to go in my gorgeous Ampersand Cushion Cover give-away, so don't forget to enter. I don't have that many followers yet, so your chances are really great!

Have a great weekend everyone.

Linda. xox :)

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Two Other Map Posts (I love 'em!):
Have You 'Gotta Thing' For Maps And Globes? I Do!
More Maps Different Things... Look At These Wonderful Purses!

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5 Ways To Re-use Old Things And Make Them 'New'!

Here's 5 great ideas for re-purposing objects you may have around the house and giving them a new lease of life!

Old cutlery as hooks on the wall.

A photo in a frame as a cocktail tray.

Old calendars as wrapping paper - circle the recipient's birth date!

A gorgeous tea towel as a shared place-mat.

A tutu as a flounce on a painted stool. Viola - a side table for a little girl's bedroom!

See the instructions/info for these fab ideas and another 15 on the My Home Ideas site here.

I love this stuff!!

Linda. xox

PS: Don't forget to enter to win my current give-away here! A lovely limited edition ampersand cushion cover by designer Shannon Lamden of Auntie Cookie is up for grabs.

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Whoopee - Lucky Me!

I am sooooo happy! On the weekend I bought myself a brand new camera. I've not had a camera for the last 2 years, and I decided it's about time I was able to add my own photos (like this one) to my blog. I was lucky Shannon (Auntie Cookie) let me use one of hers for my give-away.

So I went out and bought a Canon Powershot ixus 105 (for a really great price!)

Now I can take photos, experiment, play around, share some shots of my home etc with you.

Whoopeeeeee!

In the pic above you can see the lovely limited edition, screen printed, linen and denim Ampersand Cushion Cover I'm giving away at the moment - just leave a comment here to enter (there's still 4+ days to go!).

You can also see, if you look behind it, a tiny bit of what appears to be a map of the Paris Metropolitan Underground.

But guess what?

It's a large (60cm x 60cm), groovy, linen cushion cover!! One of the others to be featured in my shop. Just giving you a sneak peak - he he.

I have a 'thing' about maps and globes, (as noted in this post, and this one too), so this cover was a must have for my shop.

I have a London map cushion cover as well, with London landmarks on it.

Can't wait to show them to you for real!

Linda. xox

PS: Remember to enter to win  the lovely Ampersand Cushion Cover by Auntie Cookie! There's still 4+ days to go. All you have to do is leave a comment and you're in the running. :)

PPS: If you blog about the give-away like the lovely Nerine and Bobbi, I'll pop in an extra entry for you. Just let me know in the comments here, or on the original post.

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My Very First Tangible Give-Away: Gorgeous Ampersand Cushion Cover By Auntie Cookie!

OK..... very, very soon (hopefully), I'll be getting my small but fab online shop for cushion covers up and running!!

Yes, that's right.... a shop just for cushion covers. Oh how I love them!

In fact, I've decided I can even call myself a Cushionista!!

Nothing else can change the look of a room so fast, or add a punch of colour or a 'design dollop' like a cushion can. What fabulous accessories are to an outfit, cushions are to a room.

So, to celebrate I'm going to give away one of the cushion covers I'll be stocking in my teeny yet tre gorgeous shop.

About half the covers I'll be stocking have been designed by myself (and then made by someone far better on a sewing machine than me), but, the other half are from lovely friends who already make creating one-of-a-kind cushion covers their business.

The cover I'm giving away this week is a Limited Edition screen printed cover by the wonderful Melbourne designer Shannon Lamden of Auntie Cookie fame. This is a striking ampersand print cover, with a white ampersand symbol printed on a black linen background. The back of the cushion is indigo denim, and features an envelope closure. The cover's size is 40 cm x 40 cm (16 x 16 inches).

When my package of stock arrived from Shannon last week I was super excited to get out the covers and ogle them in all their glory - magnifique! So sad I have to put them all away in the stock cupboard.

To enter all you need to do is leave a comment below saying hi!! I'd also love it if you'd become a follower... there'll be more give-aways coming along soon, so you'll be in the know then.

It's Tuesday today in Aus, and I'll draw the winner next Sunday, the 20th of June, after 6.00pm, and post the results straight after.

Good luck fellow cushionistas!

Linda. xox

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A Teeny Studio Apartment - Could You Live Here?

This teeny studio apartment is only 60m2, and yet seems to fit in everything seamlessly. Great storage, large sliding doors to separate the rooms, and a white backdrop with splashes of bold colour to add pizazz all contribute to a minimal yet funky look! The floating kitchen bench gives the illusion of space whilst still serving its practical purpose.

All images from my new fave site Mi Casa Revista

Could you live somewhere this small even if it is so cute?

Linda.  xox

P.S:  My first tangible give-away is going to be tomorrow! Yay!! :)

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More Mi Casa Revista Love!:
A Beautiful Chalet of Gorgeousness
A Dazzling House In Spain

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