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  • New design finds | February 2024

    New design finds | February 2024

    February 3, 2024February 1, 2026

    On my radar this month: Vipp’s latest kitchen design, new twists on classic chairs, adaptable furniture and much more…

  • 21 of the best marble coffee & side tables

    21 of the best marble coffee & side tables

    January 31, 2024February 17, 2026

    A round-up of the best marble coffee and side tables for minimalist interiors, with options for every budget and size of space…

  • Sjöparken – a tranquil Swedish retreat with minimalist design & natural influences

    Sjöparken – a tranquil Swedish retreat with minimalist design & natural influences

    January 8, 2024February 17, 2026

    A look around Sjöparken – a tranquil hotel on a Swedish vineyard, with minimalist Japandi design, natural influences and a swimming lake…

  • New design finds | December 2023

    New design finds | December 2023

    December 12, 2023February 2, 2026

    On my radar this month are minimalist lighting designs, a stunning new kitchen collaboration, sustainable textiles and more…

  • Home tour | A contemporary farmhouse in rural Suffolk

    Home tour | A contemporary farmhouse in rural Suffolk

    November 20, 2023February 3, 2026

    A look around a modern English countryside home which blends nature, minimalist design and magnificent views…

  • New design finds | November 2023

    New design finds | November 2023

    November 6, 2023February 3, 2026

    On my radar this month: elegant lighting, gorgeous candles, limewash paint, minimalist fronts for IKEA kitchens and more…

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They say the journey is as important as the destin They say the journey is as important as the destination, and that's certainly true of my trip to Bergen in Norway with my friend Becky earlier this month. Rather than fly straight there, we decided to use it as an opportunity to do something that's been on my bucket list for a while - a classic itinerary dubbed 'Norway in a Nutshell', which goes from Oslo to Bergen by public train, boat and bus (including two of the most scenic railways in the world). 

It was a spectacular experience encompassing mountains, plateaus, fjords, lakes and waterfalls, taking us from spring to winter and back again. Here's a taster from the many photos I took along the way, but there's much more on the blog - including tips on how to book tickets, where to sit on the trains for the best views, and where to stay overnight if you have more time than we did and want to split it over more than one day. 

It's a journey that will linger in my memory for a long time, and one I'm very glad I got to do. 

#visitnorway #norwayinanutshell #fjords #divineworldplaces #postcardplaces
More kitchen progress! The cabinet that sits on to More kitchen progress! The cabinet that sits on top of the worktop (which hides the boiler and some storage) is now finished, and the perfect little freestanding island unit has arrived (I wanted something quite gnarled and rustic to contrast with the pale units). We're just waiting for the window blind to arrive and for the electrician to come out and install the pendant light, and the whole room will be done. Scroll through to see a 'before' shot - it's a big change! 

#cottagerenovation #minimalistkitchen #shakerkitchen #neutralkitchens #simpleinterior
From a beautiful evening mooching around Oslo wate From a beautiful evening mooching around Oslo waterfront last week. I was in Norway for a short break with a friend, and we were treated to an amazing spring sunset. It made a wonderful start to our trip, and also an opportunity to catch up with the fabulous @dimakaterina. Our stay in the Norwegian capital was only very brief, though, as early next morning we headed off to do something that's been on my bucket list for a long time. More on that (and a full blog travel guide) later in the week...

#visitoslo #norwaytravel #theprettycities #divineworldplaces #sunsets_oftheworld
Photos from a spring visit to Great Chalfield Mano Photos from a spring visit to Great Chalfield Manor, a 15th-century National Trust property not far from our new home. It's a beautiful, fairytale kind of place, especially at this time of year when the blossom and wisteria blooms. And see if you can spot the image where I may have captured a ghost... I mean, it was probably just a smudge on my camera lens, but a ghost is a far more interesting explanation. And intriguingly it didn't show up on the frames taken a second beforehand and a second afterwards...

#thisprettyengland #wisteriahysteria #visitwiltshire #springgarden #visitthecotswolds
[AD - ongoing partnership] I'll always have a soft [AD - ongoing partnership] I'll always have a soft spot for @hollowaysofludlow's beautiful flagship showroom in Bath (it's where I held the official launch event for my first book), and it's currently hosting a fantastic takeover by Carl Hansen & Søn. Arranged as a series of zones, it's a great way to see the Danish brand's timeless Scandinavian design in context and try various pieces out for yourself. There are plenty of mid-century icons, including Hans J. Wegner's CH24 'Wishbone' chair (my personal favourite), plus newer pieces such as Rikke Frost's stunning 'Sideways' sofa with its organic curves and woven paper-cord sides. A specially created ochre-and-red colour scheme sets it all off perfectly, as do curated artworks and accessories. 

I’ve long believed that Scandinavian design lends itself particularly well to period settings such as this Georgian former bank building, as its pared-back expression and enduring materials work alongside a range of architectural styles. The takeover is proof of that, and fellow interiors enthusiasts will be in their element. It's on until September, so do take a look around if you're in town.

#scandinavianinteriors #scandiinterior #danishdesign #minimalinterior #scandinaviandecor

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