"Lucy's Sweet Nursery".....

I just had to blog this morning about this adorably charming nursery!....
It happens to be the nursery that was put together by Jill, a lovely client of mine,
for her baby daughter Lucy....

Jill recently sent me these photos that were recently spotlighted in the new baby blog....
"One to Baby".

(And of course my "Mommy Love You" pillow is tucked in that cozy chair!)

Jill, this nursery is one that dreams are truly made of!....Congratulations!

Have a lovely day!

heidi
xo

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"Floral Draperies"......& how -to's!

Who knows when my love affair with "floral draperies" began?.....

All I know is that I L.O.V.E. them!

Of course the "flower-ier" they are the more my affection increases!....

Large cabbage roses strewn across yards of linen,.... or antique cotton, simply make my heart skip a beat!...

Faded, textured fabric,..... laden with blossoms,....
is what I would prefer all my windows to be dressed with.

The nicest thing is that draperies like these are within our reach!...Purchase a few yards of a charming floral that speaks to you, & sew yourself a pair of the most romantic draperies ever!....

After-all, shouldn't we all be surrounded with "fabric & flowers"!

heidi
xo

INSTRUCTIONS:
Just determine your desired "finished length" and add 4" for the casing & 4" for the hem,... & cut two panels that length. For the casing: Turn down top 4", turn raw edge under 1/2"; press & stitch. For the hem: same instructions apply, just at the opposite end.
You now have yourself your own "floral draperies"!!
How talented you are!

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"Four Cute Tiles".....

(photo courtesy of Country Living)

I have been decorating my client's ( & friend) master bedroom today...& just got home.
With the little time I have before figuring out what dinner might be, I was looking through some design ideas I had seen in various magazines & tucked away for safe keeping!...
possibly to be applied in a future home!....& look what I found!

This absolutely, ridiculously darling use of 4 gorgeous tiles!

What a charming back-splash!!....
OMGoodness!!
This is one idea that will be stealing!.....

Dinner is calling, but all I want to do is decorate!

Enjoy your evening!

Your friend,...

heidi
xo

master bedroom today ( & friend)

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"Mixing Oranges".......

I love flowers! And I love creating interesting combinations with flowers. For me, combining two or three different varieties of flowers, but staying in the same "color-story" gives you the most charming results!.....
While grocery shopping a couple weeks ago at Trader Joes, I happened to eye these amazing "melon-y orange roses",.... & then at closer inspection glanced over to see tulips in a very similar shade. I snatched then up, brought them home & WOW!
Look at the result!.....
Just the bouquet I needed that cold rainy afternoon!..
It inspired me to light a fire & lots of candles & make big pot of soup!

Nothing like "Orange Blooms",....
a bit of bright green....
& a backdrop of brown transfer-ware to inspire an entire evening!

Have a cozy little weekend!

Your friend,...

heidi
xo

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"Not Sure Which Way to Turn?"......

I am not quite sure which way to turn?.....Spring is in the air around here, & I am in the mood to spruce up everything!.....The house, the patio, the garden,...... all are calling out for attention!....
In the garden, I am working on adding more raised beds, so all the seeds I am dying to plant will have a place to grow & thrive!.....I am eying tall "tuteurs" at the local nursery, to add height & structure to the garden,.... & am even hinting to everyone that a "rose arbor" would be a lovely Mother's day gift!

I've even moved our wicker patio table to the far end of the garden, where I romantically see us dining throughout the summer months!

And then there is the inside of our home. Where do I start?.....
Making curtains for the kitchen window, would be good.....or maybe those large floral/burlap pillows for the sofas?
Or possibly rearranging the furniture is where I should begin?....but then again the coffee table is desperate for paint?.....

Decisions, decisions....

Then there is the patio.....I have already given it a good cleaning, but new cushions on the chairs would be lovely!....but nothing too tailored. I am far more in the mood for a large geranium print, something "splashy & not too serious"!
And then I am even toying with the idea of hanging drapes on all four corners of the patio? Wouldn't that be charming!
So need I say more. I'm sure you can imagine the list of "to-do's" I have in front of me.
Somehow though it doesn't seems like work. These are the tasks I find so inspiring!....
Creating beauty in & around the spaces where we live!

Now off to get a start on that list!

Here's to all our homes, our gardens & our dreams!

Your friend,....

heidi

xo

(photos courtesy of... Martha Stewart & Country Living)

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"The Charm of Painted Cabinets"......

Since a very young age, I have been attracted to "antique cabinets". They could be large impressive pieces of furniture,.... or small wall cabinets tucked in a corner of the room.
They could be dark polished wood, or primitive time worn pieces, but the cabinets I adore most are the "painted" ones!......

Of course my own taste sends me in the direction of "colonial blues & gray-greens", ...but lately I am considering some slightly unusual combinations as well!....."Leaf green with a raspberry interior", so perfect filled with a collection of pure white ironstone pitchers!....
Or possibly a cabinet painted "pussy-willow gray with a French vanilla interior"!....can you imagine how beautiful anything "silver" would be placed in such a piece!

The possibilities are simply endless!.....Choosing classic shades of whites, blacks or browns lend a clean, classic feel...always appropriate, always beautiful.

But throwing caution to the wind & making a painted cupboard "pop to attention" with a fabulous color is something we all should consider!,... especially at this time of year when we might need a little color inspiration!

So with this all in mind, I am wandering the house,.... looking at each piece I own, trying to imagine it dressed in a pretty new color!....

I invite you to do the same!.....

Would love to hear what you come up with for your "painted cupboard"!.....

Happy Decorating!

heidi
xo

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"Good Morning.....A Busy Day"

Good Morning Friends,
This so far has been one busy week!....And today is no different!.....The coffee is made, a quick chat with my girls, with my husband occasionally joining our "coffee clatch"!......Then bed making,..... a shower/make-up/hair.....& then off to a dear friend's house for a decorating appointment. Back home to work on lots of Etsy pillow orders this afternoon & then preparing meatloaf & Paula potatoes! ( simply divine!) A dinner I will serve buffet-style, from the stove top, everything piping hot, with a large stack of white plates & napkins placed close by.
Tonight we have different schedules,.... boyfriends joining us, &....my "open door" policy is in full swing!
*definintion of "open door policy": new idea I am trying to put into action here at the house; delicious food prepared, house fairly picked up, & ready for whoever & whenever friends & family happen to join us each evening.
***********************************

I will bet your day is fairly similar!.....

heidi
xo

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"Unhurried & Quiet"....

Hello Friends, How are you all?....I hope everyone had the loveliest of Thanksgivings!....And now before we blinked twice it is "Christmastime". It seems that everyone is putting up trees & decorations, ... shopping & hanging lights, yet it is still November?......
The media makes it sound like if you haven't given much thought to the upcoming holidays, that you indeed are already a few steps behind?....What's up with that?
I have to say, that through the years, I have approached preparing for the holidays from many angles.
I have been the "working girl" that was so busy with her job, that I waited to the last minute to get anything much done.
I have had years where I declared proudly that I was making all my gifts,... which also ended with many unfinished projects!...& last minute trips to the mall!
Then of course I felt doing everything super early was the way to go!...but like my husband pointed out,... I started out wonderfully organized, but just kept going!?.....I made presents & even wrapped them, tucking them away in late summer early fall...& went on to forget all about them, only to re-buy more gifts!?
So the other day, while contemplating about how my mother created our childhood Christmases....I began remembering. I remembered that my mother always reminded us that Christmas was a "holiday", not the entire month of December.
December was a month to quietly & calmly prepare for the most special of holidays....not one to spend stressed out & over-burdened. Mid-month we would put up our tree,...might possibly my most favorite holiday activity!.... decorated with ornaments we had for years tucked in a large department store box, each one wrapped in tissue.
Our Christmas decorating was sweet & charming,....nothing too planned or "style-ized" about it. Preparing for Christmas was "tradition", not decorating magazines dictating the newest fade.
What I remember most though, is that getting ready for Christmas was not hurried, it just happened a bit at a time.
The house, the lovely gifts & the cookies all came to be,...unfolding slowly those last couple of weeks before Christmas.
So with these memories in mind, I will be taking one step at a time,.... allowing Christmastime to calmly surround me...unhurried & quiet. I wish you the same.

Heidi
xo

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"Wishing & Dreaming"......

As many of you know we are renting a house at the moment....which I really don't mind a bit, possibly since our little house is so darn cute. Someday though I look forward to having a house of our own once again. Not sure if we will end up buying the house we're in or buying another, but for now I love the "wishing & dreaming" part of buying a house.
Lately whenever I see an idea that appeals to me, I am quick to save it!....Ripping a page from a magazine or copying a photo that I saw on-line, is something that is happening fairly often. And one of my favorite ideas at the moment is these amazing "barn doors"!.....I love the juxtaposition of these over-sized, primitive doors being brought into the interiors of a home!.....Not only decorative, but functional as well!....Just fabulous!

I am not sure that barn doors such as these will ever be in any house I own, but they certainly are more than comfortable in my "wishing & dreaming" folder!....Right alongside, plank floors, farmhouse sinks, wrap around porches, pea gravel courtyards & driveways, large garden spaces, picket fences, barn/greenhouses, etc. etc. etc.......
Here's to dreaming!....
Heidi
xo

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Preparing for Autumn with Pretty New Pillows!....

Happy Sunday to you all!....
With Autumn just around the corner, I have been thinking new "pillow designs"!...You know,... thoughts of coming inside once again, creating rooms that will offer functionality, but still be cozy & inviting as well!..... I am anxious to shift the furniture around, re-arrange my hutch & organize my kitchen cupboards, preparing for the cooler months ahead!

In my quest for cozy,... I have designed some new pillows, which I will be debuting this week.... in my Etsy shop
"Heidi Devlin Design".
The first is my "Home Sweet Home" pillow, which is absolutely charming! Whether we live in a county cottage or a contemporary downtown loft, these "iconic words of home" must be displayed!.....

The second pillow is a darling little "tuffet",.... measuring just 12"x12". The front is a French-inspired cotton, with the back being a tan burlap... & then hand stenciled with the most adorable little bird....hence my "Little Swallow" pillow, a tribute to one of my favorite feathered friends!

Both of these lovely designs would be so suitable tucked into the cozy corners of our Autumn homes. I invite you to visit my shop soon, for these & more Fall-inspired designs!

Wishing you a relaxing Sunday!.....

Your friend,
Heidi XO

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Farmhouse Sinks......

There is just something about "farmhouse sinks". I just adore them!....& for so many reasons! First of all, farmhouse sinks "whisper" of kitchens from the past..... They are big & functional & make me think of the kitchens my mother describes when reminiscing about her summers growing up on the farm.

Today, farmhouse sinks are certainly not just for function, but for beauty as well!....Here not only one sink, but "two" have been added to the design of this kitchen!...Can you imagine?....One not being enough?.....

Here the farmhouse sink has been added to a laundry room!....Wouldn't you just love slaving away with "washing & ironing" in this charming room! Sign me up!

And then there is this extra long, sky-blue, vintage version!.....Could it get any better?....Simply unbelievable!

However, this "farmhouse sink" may be my very favorite!....It is so old-fashioned, & when coupled with a butcher block counter, a darling paned window & open shelving, it covers all bases for me!.....
Simple, functional & a sink that might even make me feel like I was "Anne" doing dishes at "Green Gables"!
Hopefully somewhere in my future there will be a "farmhouse sink". One that will wash fruit, vegetables, dishes & grandchildren!
Here's to the "humble sinks of the past".

Heidi
xo

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Lots of Announcements!.....

Today I decided to post all "my announcements" all at once,....please forgive the "advertisement" atmosphere of my blog today,.... but this is all great information I am very excited about, & I hope you might be too!..... so here goes!.....
The first is about my monthly newsletter, "Living Little with Heidi". Obviously it is the middle of June & no newsletter has been sent yet?....I so apologize.....Our family ended up planning a little vacation, which set me back a bit & when we returned it has been busy, busy, busy!.....So I decided to combine the June & July issues, which I promise will be going out in the next couple days!....
I also wanted to say a very appreciative "Thank you" to all of you who have been requesting "Living Little"!....It has been overwhelming & humbling to have so many of you ladies asking to be on my mailing list!.....Thank you again!
( to receive my newsletter, e-mail me at heididevlin@gmail.com)

My next announcement is about my upcoming "Living Little" class on July 9th, here at my home in Poway, California!....I have just sent out the information sheet for the class, so if you are interested in receiving one, please e-mail me at heididevlin@gmail.com......It should be a wonderful evening of ideas, how-to's & delicious recipes!

And last but not least, I have to tell you about the incredible "giveaways" my daughter, Holly, has going on today over at her darling blog "mommyholly", to celebrate her 500th post!!.....You must go see for yourself & leave a comment to be eligible to win some of the most amazing items!....( I am giving away a pillow too!)

O.K. I'm all finished!....I love hearing about what others have going on, so I hope you do too!
Enjoy your Monday afternoon!....
Your friend, Heidi XO

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"A Summer Table for Friends"......

Last Thursday, I had my group of dearest friends over for one of our "get-together" evenings! .....We have been doing this for some time now, getting together each month for dinner, chatting & getting caught up with each of our busy lives!....
It works well, with everyone contributing to the meal & the hostess having the fun of setting a pretty table & creating a "warm & inviting atmosphere" for her guests!

Since I was hostessing this month, I decided to have us dine on my patio!.....So I began putting my table together.
It all started with these clamp-lid glass bottles from IKEA.....& 2 bunches of long stemmed "poppy-like" flowers from Trader Joe's ( they have a great selection of afforable blooms!)

I added a few stems in each bottle, each half-filled with water....
( looks much more interesting than entirely filled!).....
& placed them down the middle of the table, casually winding them around a pair of glass cylinder vases,...... where I had placed pure white pillar candles on top of a bed of pea gravel.
Also scattered a few more tiny votive candles throughout.....for a bit more sparkle!

Amazing what happens when you combine the following....
1- Walmart folding table (6 foot)
*
1- very gathered, home-made burlap tablecloth
*
9- everyday white diner plates
*
9- soft, checkered dishtowels for napkins ( these are just used as napkins for the time being!)
*
9- K-Mart Martha Stewart glass water goblets
*
"my collection" of mis-matched thrift store silverware

As the clouds rolled in.....We all enjoyed a dinner of grilled salmon, corn pudding, Greek salad, fresh berries & warm sourdough bread!....(Along with a delicious appetizer of hummus & pita bread & amazing cupcakes for dessert!)

Such evenings are what summer is all about!

"Good friends....Good food....Good conversation"
Make some summer memories of your own!

Love, Heidi XO

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"A Little Hint"........Stay Tuned!

Happy Thursday morning to you all!......
As a hint of what's to come,..... I am posting photos of some very pretty items that are part of a new (on-line) shop, I have plans to open!......It will be "vintage-y"....It will be
"flea market-y".....It will be "farmhouse-y"!.....

Lots of "everyday items" that will be inexpensive & simple.... yet oozing lots & lots of charm!

This little venture is one that I am working on as we speak, and plan to make available in just a couple weeks!
Keep visiting for more details & giveaways too!!.....
Wishing you just the nicest Thursday!
Your Friend, Heidi XO

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Decorating with Numbers....

Decorating with "numbers" has become increasingly popular these days!...And why not!....Numbers offer a bold, simple & yet very classic design element to almost any area of your home or garden!

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my new summer obsession......

My new obsession....."aqua blue glass canning jars"!.....I know they are not a new idea, but for me they are!....& for some reason they are just calling to me!....

* They are asking me to fill them with fresh, strawberry jam.....
*They are begging for floppy purple hydrangea heads straight from the garden.....
*They are saying they are the perfect container for pure white Q-tips & cotton balls.....
& They are suggesting being displayed with a chunky votive candle, in a bed of sand...
( how lovely illuminating the patio)....

So now you know!.....

The hunt has begun.....

& I'll be keeping you posted!

Your obsessed friend, Heidi XO

(P.S. so what is your summer obsession?)

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"everyday whites".....

Each day I have been trying to make one area of my home a little prettier.... & a bit more organized. We moved into our house a couple months ago, but being so "crazy busy with work & other odds & ends, I just haven't had the time to "fine-tune" all the corners of our home....but now I'm trying to reserve a few hours each day to "fuss & finesse"!.....And Oh!..I love it!

In the process, I have once again been reminded how very much I love "white"!...Sp crisp, so clean, so classic! And since I favor a color scheme of "colonial blues & soft, dusty browns", it is the perfect addition!....White just adds that uplifting "oompf" that keeps blues & browns from becoming "muddy & a little crappy country"......you know what I mean.

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