Wednesday, June 30, 2010

A home for my Old Soul.

Every now and then it shows, the fact that must have an old soul.  I did a post on it once, click here if you missed it.  This post is the latest concoction of ideas I have swirling around in my head.  This one is for that romantic, nature loving alchemist that lives deep inside of me.  And BTW, thanks for all of the sofa input, it did help.  Enjoy, Heidi





Found on Artemislives



Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Sofa King Awesome!!!


In all my days of searching and wandering through blogs and magazines, there is one sofa that always tugs at my heart strings, the "Tufted Sofa".  Now my friend Janet tells me not to get the ones with the tufts on the seat part because crumbs, lint and everything else finds it's way in those nooks and crannies.   In order to save some cashola I was going to re-upholster our present sofa, but hubby informed me that after he slept on it for about 5 years, it has some issues, that new fabric could not fix.  On further inspection I agreed since it had the impression of a stocky shaped man, about 260 lbs. lying on his side, indented permanently in it.  I took off the cushions and the shape continued into the springs and what ever else is under the fabric.  Now, I know what you all are thinking, my husband must have been in the doghouse for a total of 5 years.  Well, a small percentage of that is true, but more like the combination of having a baby sleeping in your bed and  having sleep apnea.  Needless to say, we are in the market for a new sofa and I have chosen a winner.  Now I need to choose a fabric.  Please chime in and tell me what you think.  I have a husband and a son that pretty much live on it so I am leaning towards leather, but then there is the side of me that wants a pretty linen or velvet one.  Comments Please.  Heidi  

Monday, June 28, 2010

Neutral and Natural

I like to call this look "Monochromagic".  There is no color, only white, black, wood, glass, metal, grey, wicker, silver, stone, linen and plants.  It is always a perfect combination that has a timeless look, since colors can be trendy. 
I still have some issues with avocado green and burnt orange since I grew up in the 70's.
Enjoy, Heidi


                                                            Riviera Maison in Cote Ouest

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Good Bedside Manner

Whether it is a sanctuary for rejuvenation, a passion pit or just a place to crash,
 a bedroom is a special place.  Enjoy, Heidi





Image Unknown
How did that get in there?






Image Unknown








Wednesday, June 23, 2010

For the Laundry Goddess in all of us.

This one has got to be my favorite.  I love how you are allowed to gaze outside while folding clothes, all of a sudden laundry does not feel like such a chore since usually it is done stuffed in a dungeon or coffin, I mean closet somewhere.  Click here and let Monica from Hirondelle Rustique show you how to make your own laundry detergent. ( 40 loads for $1.09)
Found on the Designer's Attic
Love the how the counter top is a folding area.  My BFF Janet had a cute curtain that could be pulled across both the washer and dryer to hide them.  Then she would use this space as an extra serving station when entertaining.  Clever girl, that Janet.
 
This one is pulling double duty and laundry and gift wrapping zone.
Make it fun while your at it.

Unknown image
Creative use of ceiling to floor curtain. 

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Bedroom Bliss


I am loving this bedroom, mostly the pale blue and layout.  Notice the doorway on the left.  I can imagine a dreamy closet, chandelier included.  Perhaps a mirror wall on the back side of the white chest of draws.  Maybe the master bath is just beyond the closet or "Master Dressing Room".  This one is going into the dream house file for sure.  Enjoy, Heidi

Friday, June 18, 2010

Pottery Barn Style

The Summer Sale catalog arrived in the mail today from Pottery Barn.  I have always used this catalog along with Anthropologie and Ballard Designs as FREE design inspiration.  If the magazine subscriptions are not in your budget then get your name on the mailing list of these guys.  Any of these images are worthy of coming out of the latest magazines on the rack.  Tons of creative design ideas. 
Wishing you all a lovely weekend and a Happy Father's Day.  Heidi





Thursday, June 17, 2010

Balancing Act


I'm back!  With some time to do some deep down soul searching I have decided to continue my blog and do what I do best, hunt down and share the romantic, timeless images quotes and inspiring DIY stuff.  Some of the last few post were aimed for my sister to see since she is in reno mode herself.  I thought long and hard and realized that sharing ideas and helping to inspire someone is not superficial at all.  And as for moving goes, it looks like for the happiness of my husband and my child, we are staying put, but one day there will be long vacations Down Under, mark my words.  I realized that the whole moving ordeal was my primal fight or flight instinct.  All I have wanted to do for the past 2 years is fly as far away as possible and it was because of the stress of my family and work.  So I eliminated the biggest stressors in each department and I feel like I can breathe now and not want fly away.  Always remember this, "When you say YES to something, you are always saying NO to something else".  It is all about balance.  I have felt so obligated to do and go to things, well guess what?  If it is not working for me and my little family, I am not going to do it.  This time is slipping away and my little boy is growing up, the rest of the people and organizations will just have to deal because my little family  is worth me being very selfish about.  As I step off my soap box, I would like to thank you all for hanging in there with me.  I hope that I can inspire you and make you laugh,  perhaps even teach you a lesson I had to learn the hard way. Love, Heidi

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Where am I going with this?

Image unknown.

I don't know where all of the images and quotes I have stolen are going to take me. So far I have designed and decorated 2 houses and 2 beach houses in my head, on paper and on this blog.  A hard lesson to learn is the one about desire and suffering.  The more I desire the more I suffer.  I have everything I need but not everything I want.  Needs and Wants.  When I am in the state of suffering from my desires, I am ready to pull the plug on my blog.  My blog started with a burning desire to get to know Australians better and grow relationships with them in hopes to move and have an easy transition.  I posted on migrating and it seemed to give a spark to my blog and others seemed to be inspired.  Now that the subject has been pretty much eliminated I feel like my blog is very superficial.  I am real good at hunting and then sharing vast amounts of beautiful images.  Good jobs are holding us back.  My husband has been promised a good job and a future with a company here in the US and so we wait.  If only we knew that we could have good jobs in the AU we would have our bags packed.  He is not a risk taker, I say jump and the net will appear. Sorry this post is kinda depressing.  I felt like finally spilling the beans.  Heidi 

Friday, June 11, 2010

This is what you do with that big blank wall you walk by everyday.

I love the one big visual in the center and then the balancing act of objects either matching or non-matching by visual weight.   Wishing you all a lovely weekend.  Heidi


Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Kitchen Before and After 2

Here is another great Kitchen reno by The Lettered Cottage.  I love how they just used MDF and mouldings to add the height, took off the cabinet doors and added corbels underneath for a tremendous transformation.  I can also relate to this reno because they plan on new stainless appliances for the future so the grand finale is pending.  Still, looks like a million bucks.  Check out their site for loads more details and other rooms that have been re-done.  Love the black.  Enjoy, Heidi

The Lettered Cottage

                                                                    The Lettered Cottage

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Perfect Pool

I have decided on this shape pool, in salt water and the same size of my BFF Janet's pool.  Deep end, yes, diving board, no (too much of a liability, says BFF). Hot tub, no, since I am deathly afraid of gas (to heat the water). 
 Any pointers from pool owners are welcome.
 You first have to dream it before you can do it.  Enjoy, Heidi
Image unknown.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Kitchen Before and After

Don't ya just love a good before and after?  Here is one I found of the kitchen belonging to Kristin of My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia.  Click on her blog name to go straight to her sight.  I love how easy she makes it look.  Enjoy, Heidi





                                                        My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia