Over the years, squeezing in a quick December break has become a bit of a pre-Christmas tradition for Chris and me – it’s a chance to escape the shopping, the decorating and the frenetic preparations, and to relax somewhere quiet for a day or two. We always try to pick a suitably atmospheric spot and this year’s choice, The Crown in Amersham, was perfect – stylish, cosy and brimming with good . . .
Winter gin cocktails with Gintuition
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a few festive tipples, and my tipple of choice is always gin. Earlier this year I posted some ideas for summer gin cocktails; now I want to share some winter-themed variations that are perfect for seasonal celebrations (or just a Friday night in, if you fancy treating yourself!). To help, the kind people at Dartington Crystal sent me one of their . . .
Festive wrapping inspiration
I don’t know about you, but I love wrapping Christmas presents. I tend to set aside a weekend afternoon, put on some festive tunes, pour myself a glass of wine, and take over the entire living-room floor with paper, tape and tags. In fact, it’s become something of a seasonal ritual. I always think beautiful packaging makes a gift seem that little bit more special, but that doesn’t mean spending . . .
Home tour | An art-filled Danish apartment
I’m starting the week with a break from Christmas-themed posts, as I wanted to share a few photos of this stunning Copenhagen apartment. The home of ceramicist Anne Black and her family, it’s swathed in natural light and dressed in soft, serene colours, creating the perfect backdrop for an extensive collection of art and the many period features. The original parquet floors, ornate plasterwork, . . .
Styling a winter table | Part 2
I’m really beginning to get into the festive spirit now: I’ve started my shopping, ordered the tree and even opened the first bottle of sloe gin (oops!)... Time, then, to share the second of the winter table arrangements which I’ve put together to provide some inspiration for seasonal gatherings. Last week I posted some photos of my first effort – an elegant affair with tall brass candlesticks . . .
Profile (+ discount) | House & Hamper
Last week I received an intriguing email from a brand-new company called House & Hamper, asking if I’d like to feature its range of gift boxes on These Four Walls. I’m quite fussy about who I recommend on these pages, but it turns out House & Hamper is right up my street. It was founded by Yasmin Ward, who shares my love of Scandinavian design, and focuses on handpicked, natural products . . .
Introducing Yonder Collective
At the weekend I was lucky enough to be invited to the first gathering of Yonder Collective, which saw 20 creatives from the South West come together in Bristol for an evening of inspiration, encouragement and delicious seasonal food. Yonder Collective is a new initiative founded by Emma Chapman-Burnett (who’s also behind the @livebristol Instagram project), with the aim of giving people a . . .
Room Envy | A moody grey bedroom
For this month’s ‘Room Envy’ post, I wanted to share a brief taster of one of my favourite new interior-design reads – Kinfolk Home. If you haven’t already got your hands on a copy of this luscious-looking tome then I’d highly recommend it – it’s devoted entirely to the art of slow living and showcases 35 beautifully relaxed, personality-packed homes around the globe. Trust me: you'll easily lose . . .
Styling a winter table | Part 1
Now that we finally have a finished dining room, I couldn’t resist dressing the table for a cosy, candlelit winter feast – the perfect way to make the most of the dark, frosty nights and whip up some seasonal cheer as December draws near. I decided to put together two different looks, both incorporating a few festive hints without going overboard on the Christmas theme, so here's a peek at the . . .
Our dining room makeover
It’s taken much longer than expected (mostly due to water damage from a leaking boiler), but I’m finally ready to reveal a few pictures of our dining room, which is the latest stage of our ongoing house redecoration to be completed. Our home is a typical red-brick Victorian terrace, and throughout we’re trying to preserve its original features while incorporating the kind of . . .
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