STYLE, SUBSTANCE & HEARTS........

Like style, charm is very subjective. But, some homes have both, whatever one's standards might be. Traditional or contemporary, their interiors captivate with their sense of scale, colors and textures.

This is a little tour of some favorite ones.

The first belongs Tania, a delightful French woman who brings a lovely mix of romantic and practical to her home just outside Paris. She kindly allowed me to post some of the photos from her blog (http://grangedecharme.canalblog.com)

The stone exterior and rose-framed entrance heralds the simple elegance of the seductive interior................

Even the birdbath shows her romantic nature....................

Thank you Tania! Merci beaucoup.

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This is a perfect example of stylish simplicity. The choice of colors and the marriage of textural elements speak for themselves.........

From Real Living (Australian magazine) 

photo above & below by Brinson for House Beautiful

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Then, of course, there is the more elaborate finishings as featured in this gorgeous book...

 
 
and on this site: http://studiohousedesign.blogspot.com/2007_11_04_archive.html 

 http://juniperdesigns.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/domino3.jpg 

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A subtle influx of color is sometime all you need..................

 Eva Lindh   

ELLE Decor

Mantlescape by Jane Moore 

 Home of French designer Jacqueline Morabito (Maison Cote Sud, 12- 2003)

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HAVE A

 

 

  

There is still time to come up with your own Valentine creation (or, at least, one you can order)....here are some that might just inspire you.................

 

 

  

             http://www.foreverfrenchinteriors.com/tieredroseheart.html  

For instructions go to: 

http://crafts.kaboose.com/puffy-heart.html

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Glycerine heart soaps

For instructions go to: 

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/heart-shaped-soap

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/heart-shaped-soap

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/heart-shaped-soap

   marthastewart.com

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For instructions go to: 

http://familycrafts.about.com/od/valentinesday/tp/HeartCrafts.htm

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And my FAVORITE

HEART OF GOLD

CUSTOM heart of gold- paper mache sculpture by Paloma's Nest (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34969188)

    A Heart of Gold, customized with your own personal message.

This handcrafted paper mache heart is lovingly stamped with the text of your choice, be it names, dates, a small poem, or your initials. What could be more romantic ???????

 
 

    

Comments

[Monique]

Every photo a Valentine card from you to us..:) Tout est beau comme un coeur♥

[Angela]

Fifi, thank you for sharing the blogland beauty! ~ Angela

[Beatrice]

c'est toujours un grand plaisir que procure la visite de votre blog ! merci Fifi !

[Cassandra]

What a beautiful inspiring blog! I just love your publication! Thanks for sharing such beautiful inspiring things with us! ~Cassandra

[Michele]

I love the soaps! I just found your blog--it's beautiful. Thank you for the inspiration. ; )
~Michele

[Sandy Foster]

Yikes! Tania's home & garden is a dream! Thanks for sharing. Loved the craft ideas, too.

[Tina Gates]

Such beauty...I love your blog, it's so pretty x

[Tina @ Enchanted Rose Studio]

So many wonderful craft projects to choose from. Each one is darling. I adore the soaps and the gilded paper mache hearts.

Tania's home is heavenly. Her armoire is stunning. The gardens are so serene.

[Catherine]

Tania's home & garden is so Beautiful!! Fifi~Thanks for sharing and inspiring us as always! And I've been meaning to tell you I LOVE FIFI TV it's fabulous! It was great being able to hear you're voice & see a live moving fifi!:)
xoxoxo
Cat

[tania]

It's so amazing to see my own house on one of my favorite blog ! I 'm happy to share my passion of decoration with you all ! Un grand Merci to Fifi !

[Lillie Magruder]

FiFi,
Thanks so much for your blog. Love your friend's house in Paris. Love your style thanks for sharing.
Lillie

[Karina Gentinetta]

Just makes me want to hop on the next flight to Paris. Sigh.... For now, I have New Orleans.

[~teagirl~]

What a beautiful, inspiring place to visit .. Everything you touch is soo Romantic and inviting .. Paris, take me away !! Keep on creating fifi ~
hugs ~tea~xo

[frenchgardenhouse]

Happy Valentine's Day, Fifi! I know lots of people around the world celebrate that they love YOU. Lovely images, some of which I have in my inspiration files, especially the ones from the Maison Cote Sud, 12- 2003 issue.
xoxo Lidy

[Janet (Shabbyfufu)]

Just coming over to see what new beauty you have posted to share with us sweet Fifi. As always, I could spend hrs gazing at the photos you share! Love you....xoxo, Janet (Happy Valentine's Day)

[Tracy Martinez]

WOW! What lovely spaces! I especially like the room with the book loft.
Happy Valentines Day to you,
Tracy M.

[elyse]

greetings, fifi!

everything is so pretty. what a little sparkle and flowers can add to a room! although the rooms presented here are pretty amazing!

inspiring as always!

wishing you a lovely valentine's day!

xo
elyse

[Mitzi Curi]

Your blog is always so inspiring, and this post is no exception! I love the pops of color in some of the interiors, especially pink. The projects are cute, especially the papier-mache hearts of gold.

[Catherine Laufray]

This blog is fabulous ! Vraiment j'adore ! Je me suis inscrite aux newsletters. A bientôt :)

[Alison Gibbs]

How beautiful Tania's french home is

[Ulrike]

What a beautiful home she has, and what a treat to see the photos!
Ulrike

[Minie]

Bonjour Fifi, ce matin, j'ai vraiment craqué en découvrant ton blog. Je me suis permise de faire un billet sur toi, chez moi, les photos sont superbes, j'aime vraiment beaucoup ton univers. Bon WE à toi. à bientôt

[Shireen Mirau]

You are so talented, I can't wait to see what you do next.

[cheap mbt shoes]

Bonjour Fifi, ce matin, j'ai vraiment craqué en découvrant ton blog. Je me suis permise de faire un billet sur toi, chez moi, les photos sont superbes, j'aime vraiment beaucoup ton univers. Bon WE à toi. à bientôt