I am stricken, yes stricken, with love for this 18th century half-timber house hidden in the dunes and marshes of the Vistula River down on the Baltic Sea coast of Poland. 3 apartments contained within an historic building. Old and new, history and the stylishly comfortable here and now. I just can’t come up with the right words to describe this house. Nothing seems worthy enough. I speechless (or should I say rambling). I wouldn’t want to leave this holiday lodge.  Salvinia Lodge. That’s the name of my new home. I’ll be renting it forever and I’ll expect you to join me soon. Tomorrow I’ll introduce you to the architects.

Couldn’t wait to show you this reader’s home. This style of house is common in my part of the world but they are seldom as cute as this fabulous family home. Amy emailed with pictures when the call went out for Bris Vegas houses for a Sydney stylist to snap. Amy’s place would have been perfect except for one thing… she has just sold it and moved on to her next renovation project. How sweet is this house and I love the decking in the garden with its sea of grass and boat! Amy included some before photos too so you can see what she started with. (If you have a house in the Brisbane area you want to our stylist to consider you can email here.)

If you haven’t entered already head over to our Freedom giveaway. $750 voucher first prize and second prize of a $250 voucher ain’t so shabby either. Our Aussie and Kiwi readers can enter here where you will also find all the details. Good luck!

Oh the view! The view! It takes my breath away. A simple, stylish holiday destination housed in a 300 year old Spycher high above Lake Lucern in Switzerland. “Simple and stylish” doesn’t really describe it does it? Spectacular and sensitive. A bygone era and a very special place. A spirit. A genius loci. It makes your heart ache with its beauty and your spirit soar. Im Spycher is truly as close to heaven as you can get.

Welcome to the first ever Desire to Inspire giveaway. We never have competitions on the blog, ever… until now. I just couldn’t resist when Freedom offered 2 gift vouchers to give to our readers. First prize is a $750 voucher to use in store and second prize $250. If you remember I skipped down to Sydney a couple of months ago to see the launch of Freedom‘s new Autumn range. I was blown away by the direction that Freedom was taking. Now Freedom wants to give our Australian and New Zealand readers the chance to experience Freedom’s fab new range themselves!!! All you have to do is :

– Visit the Freedom website here.

– Find the piece that speaks to you the most, the one you just have to have in your home from their Autumn 2011 collection.

– Leave a comment here on the blog, telling us in 25 words or less “What is your favourite piece from the Freedom New Autumn 2011 Collection and why”.

We’ll read every one and choose the two winners. The competition starts today Monday 04/04/11 and ends at 11:59pm AEST on Friday 08/04/11. The winners will be announced the next day. Remember this competition is open to only Australian and New Zealand residents. (I know, apologies to all our other readers but it is so seldom that great competitions like this come up on Aussie blogs. I just couldn’t say no.) Please read the terms and conditions here.  You can enter more than once but each entry must be substantially unique and each entry must be submitted separately and in accordance with entry requirements. Get cracking! Start dreaming and start commenting!

Competition is now closed. Congratulations to our winners. The $750 voucher goes to Jenny comment 195 and the $250 voucher goes to Grant comment 18. I will email you soon to let you know how to claim your prizes. Thanks to all who entered and a big thanks to Freedom!!