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Summer gin & tonic ideas

July 27, 2015

Summer gin & tonic ideas | These Four Walls blog

Few things beat lazing around on a long summer evening with a drink in hand. My go-to tipple at this time of year is an ice-cold gin and tonic, and I love experimenting with different ways to jazz it up. So, I thought I’d share a few of my favourite concoctions… . . .

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4 Comments · Lifestyle

A year of blogging

July 20, 2015

A Year of Blogging | These Four Walls blog

A year ago (well, a year and three days ago, to be exact), I pressed ‘publish’ on my very first blog post. It was a nerve-wracking moment: I’d long wanted to do something to weave together my various passions – design, travel, writing, photography – but sharing my personal view of the world on the big wide web was a daunting leap into the unknown. Twelve months on, I want to share some thoughts . . .

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14 Comments · Lifestyle

Instagram inspiration | So Soft Sunday

July 17, 2015

Instagram inspiration | So Soft Sunday | These Four Walls blog

As I seem to be spending much of this summer in Scandinavia, I couldn’t resist giving a Scandi slant to this month’s Instagram inspiration post. So, I’m delighted to introduce Veronika of beautiful Norwegian blog So Soft Sunday (@sosoftsunday). Veronika is based in Oslo, and scrolling through her Instagram gallery to view her home city through her eyes is always a joy. Her images have an . . .

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2 Comments · Lifestyle

Profile | Lodestars Anthology

July 15, 2015

Profile | Lodestars Anthology | These Four Walls blog

As much as I love the online world, there’s something special about curling up with good old-fashioned printed pages, poring over words and pictures and breathing in the strangely comforting smell of paper and ink. It’s a little escape from the madness of day-to-day life – something to be savoured when time allows. I’m not alone, either: independent magazines are flourishing, and now another . . .

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2 Comments · Lifestyle

Copenhagen Botanical Garden

July 13, 2015

Copenhagen Botanical Garden | These Four Walls blog

I recently shared a few of my top tips for exploring Copenhagen, but there was one place missing from the list: the Botanical Garden. That’s because this swathe of green gorgeousness is perhaps my favourite spot in the city, and I thought it deserved a post of its own. I really could spend all day strolling around this tranquil, rambling park . . .

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2 Comments · Travel

Tile inspiration

July 10, 2015

Tile inspiration | These Four Walls blog

I have a dilemma: I’m naturally drawn to sleek, Scandinavian-style interiors, but I also love more characterful, rustic elements – gnarled wood, mottled plaster, worn floorboards, that kind of thing. How to successfully combine the two is a bit of an ongoing quandary in our house redecoration, and something I touched on in a recent home-tour post. I have a particular thing for rustic-looking . . .

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A midsummer stay in Oslo

July 7, 2015

A midsummer stay in Oslo | These Four Walls blog

I recently received a surprise email from my Sweden-based friend Becky, who was heading to Oslo for work and wanted to know if I fancied flying out to join her for a weekend. As you might imagine, I’d booked my tickets within minutes: not only was it a chance to explore and catch up, but the dates happened to fall over the summer solstice – a major cause for celebration in many Nordic . . .

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Giveaway | Hobo Soy Candles

July 3, 2015

Giveaway | Hobo Soy Candles | These Four Walls blog

I’ll be honest: I have a bit of an addiction to scented candles. I have them dotted all over the house, and barely an evening goes by without me lighting a few here and there. There’s something magical about watching gently dancing flames, surrounded by wafting fragrances and a soft, warm glow. My latest discoveries are Hobo Soy Candles, which are made in the Lincolnshire market town of Louth . . .

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8 Comments · Interiors, Lifestyle

Home tour | A musician’s apartment in Sweden

June 29, 2015

Home tour | A musician’s apartment in Sweden | These Four Walls blog

One of the dilemmas I often face when decorating is how to add personal touches to the airy, minimal style that I’m naturally drawn to. I’ve collected plenty of quirky bits and bobs over the years (the latest being a set of vintage sewing machines inherited from my grandmother), and I’m always trying to find ways to display them without creating too much clutter. So, when I spotted this . . .

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3 Comments · Interiors

Urban Jungle Bloggers | A ‘plant colour pop’

June 27, 2015

When the latest Urban Jungle Bloggers challenge – to place a plant in front of a vibrant background and really make it sing – arrived in my inbox a few weeks ago, I have to confess I was a little stumped. As you might have guessed from previous posts, colourful interiors really aren’t my thing, and my entire house is a rather muted affair in various shades of grey. What’s more, a busy month of . . .

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4 Comments · Interiors, Lifestyle

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HELLO

Abi Dare | These Four Walls blog

I’m Abi Dare – a stylist, photographer and writer based in Bristol (UK). I set up this blog to share interior design, travel and lifestyle inspiration for simple, relaxed living at home and beyond. You’ll find home tours, advice and tips, interviews, reviews, postcards from places I love and more – always with a focus on soft minimalism, muted colours and timeless, considered design.

‘Top 10 UK interior design blogs’ 2025, 2024, 2023 & 2022, Vuelio

‘Best Interior Design Blog’, uFurnish Home Awards 2024

Winner of the ‘Blogger’ category in the Sweetpea & Willow Home Influencer Awards 2023

‘Best Design & Architecture Blog’, UK Blog Awards 2019

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Order a copy of my first book, The Soft Minimalist Home – Calm, Cozy Decor for Real Lives and Spaces, published by Ryland Peters & Small and available now.

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Snaps from a lovely long weekend in leafy Richmond Snaps from a lovely long weekend in leafy Richmond, West London. I've spent many happy times there over the years as one of my closest friends lives there, but she's about to move house. So, Chris and I made the most of our last visit before she relocates - and the weather was certainly kind to us! 

1 & 2.  Richmond riverside and bridge
3 & 4.  Old Palace Yard
5-7.  A boat trip down the Thames with @thamesriverboats 
8-14.  Plants, flowers and the most amazing afternoon tea at @petershamnurseries (an early birthday celebration for @small_round_things)
15.  Petersham Meadows
16 & 17. The view from Richmond Hill
18.  Plane-spotting
19.  How the other half live / fantasy house-shopping

#visitlondon #richmondlondon #visitengland #postcardplaces #londonsummer #letsgosomewhere #darlingescape #theprettycities #bitsofbuildings #littlestoriesofmylife #thisprettyengland #simplemoments
Some photos of the gorgeous @a.__gallery, which I Some photos of the gorgeous @a.__gallery, which I visited on a recent trip to the Netherlands. Isn't it beautiful? Calm, textural and layered, with handmade pieces by an array of independent artists and artisans. 

I've also interviewed Holly, founder of the gallery and interior design studio @avenue.design.studio, on my blog. I've always admired the elegant, timeless spaces she creates, and the way she reflects the architectural context of each setting. I first met her in person last year, when I featured her own home in my book, and I've since worked with her on another exciting project that I can't wait to share soon...

#minimalistinterior #softminimalisminterior #softminimalstyle #neutraldecor #neutralinterior #interiorinspirations #dutchinteriors #simpleinterior #texturalinteriors
A few snaps from the gorgeous @gubiofficial showro A few snaps from the gorgeous @gubiofficial showroom in London, which I visited during @clerkenwelldesignweek earlier this week. I missed the opening event for this last year, so it was great to finally have a look around in person. The light is stunning, as is GUBI's selection of contemporary and classic designs - including the sculptural and futuristic F300 lounge  chair, first designed by Pierre Paulin in the 1960s and recently relaunched. 

Which room or corner is your favourite...?

#minimalistinterior #danishdesign #scandiinterior #scandiinspo #nordicminimalism #scandinaviandecor #softminimalism #interiorsinspo #interiorsinspiration
Eight years ago today. Carousel posts didn't exist Eight years ago today. Carousel posts didn't exist then so I'm using our anniversary as an excuse to share some of my favourite wedding photos.

I have so many happy memories from the day, but what I remember the most is all the laughter. And the funniest best men's (Chris had four!) speech I've ever heard. I wish we'd had a videographer just to capture that.

Anyway, thanks @small_round_things for the last eight years - and for the 13 before we actually got around to tying the knot!

Venue: @pyneshouse 
Photography: @taylorandporter

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