{Elle Decoration meets the V&A}

As if the latest issue of Elle Decoration didn't bring enough excitement to the Bright.Bazaar office; now the lovely chaps over at the magazine have teamed up with the V&A to offer a free notebook with the September issue. With a choice of three different designs, one of the notebooks is bound to look fab on your desk. Our favourite is the Feathered Friends cover, which was originally a furnishing fabric, made by screen-printed cotton, and comes from The V&A Pattern: The Fifties.

Elle Decoration September 2009.

Choice of three notebooks - free with the September issue.

Images: Elle Decoration

This month's issue also comes bound in an incredibly tactile cover, which has a sophisticated matt finish. Inside there's everything from: an insider guide to vintage shopping; breakfast with Sophie Dahl; and, of course, pages of inspirational house tours - check it out! We've joined their facebook page - you can too, just click here.

{Lighting or tea lights? Lighting or tea lights?}

Sadly, lighting is all too often left for a quick dash around Ikea on a busy Saturday afternoon. Whilst Ikea can offer affordable options to light a room, it is perhaps a purchase overshadowed by the rush for a bag of 50 tea lights or that must-have potted cactus. Over at Bright.Bazaar we believe that lighting is one of the most important additions to our homes. A great way to add colour and depth to a space; good lighting really can change how a room feels. We've been on a search to find some inspirational room sets, which use lighting to tell the story in each space.

An antique chandelier adds a sense of grandeur and formality to a room - perfect for hanging above a dining table. If you prefer a more modern and quirky version, then check out these chandeliers by Squint, which you may remember appearing on the site a few months back - we're still loving them!

The task lighting in this small corner makes the space instantly recognisable as a work area. For more home office inspiration, check out our regular feature, Office Inspiration.

Images: Ideal Home

As it's the last month of summer, why not make the most of the light evenings and turn your garden into a romantic hideaway. Perhaps those tea lights were quite important after all...!

{Picnic chic}

August has finally arrived, bringing with it a parcel of sunshine. This glimpse of summer could only mean one thing - it was time for a picnic. Strolling through the park we saw: couples, families, and friends; all of whom were enjoying the good weather. Whether tucking into a hearty picnic, playing a boisterous game, or just quietly reading; they had all graced the park without a picnic blanket. We couldn't help but wonder about the extravagant country picnics of days gone by, which would have included plenty of cloudy lemonade and strawberries and cream.

In hindsight, we have to admit that all the fresh air had probably made us a little dreamy. Even so, these picnic blankets from Moleta Munro - an Edinburgh based interiors store, which champions innovative British and European design - are not only stylish and practical; they are also a quick and easy way to achieving a chic look for your next picnic.

'Anorak' picnic blankets, £36.

Image: Moleta Munro