Fancy giving your home an extra sparkle this Christmas? Katherine Stayt of Passionate 4 Flowers is running two seasonal flower workshops in West Sussex, offering you the chance to create your own individual Christmas door garland, table arrangement or floral display with a truly professional touch.
The workshops are being held in Boxgrove Village Hall on Thursday, December 12. For more information, contact Katherine on either 07787 587993, 01243 542405 or email info@passionate4flowers.co.uk.
Happy Monday. Looking forward to a busy week ahead writing about stylish homes after a fab weekend including an invigorating (if a tad chilly!) bike ride to Bosham – that gorgeous coastal village in Chichester Harbour, featured on David Dimbleby’s Britain and the Sea last night. Did anyone else catch it?
Bosham is a magical place I often take family and friends to and, when time allows, I go there for a quick picnic or pub lunch.
Now, back to my Country Homes & Interiors feature…beautiful cottage owned by an influential British designer. Can’t wait to see this one in print.
Just how pretty can a Christmas stocking get? Being a big fan of Sarah Hardaker’s beautiful bespoke range of fabrics, wallpapers and accessories, I’ve fallen hook, line and sinker for this little festive gem.
The stocking, which was featured recently in Good Homes magazine, is in Florence Faded Pink and priced £28. However, stockings can be made to order in any of Sarah’s gorgeous fabrics. Click here to visit the website. Oh, and while you are browsing, check out the delightful advent calendar – perfect family heirloom potential.
I reckon any child (or even adult!) would be over the moon to find one of these beautiful handmade wooden rope swings in their stocking this Christmas.
The swings are made to order in either oak or chestnut from Sitting Spiritually, priced from £149 including VAT and delivery.
They come with five metres of rope attached on either side as standard and have easy hanging instructions. Hand-carved personal inscriptions and longer ropes are available, priced accordingly.
Delivery time is 7-14 days and the last date for Christmas ordering is December 16.
Ignoring the rain today and responding to an influx of emails with an international flavour. Great to be able to communicate with homeowners in America, Australia and Norway from the comfort of my cosy office.
By the way, this vintage map globe picture, priced £39, can be personalised with your own message. It is available from www.notonthehighstreet.com
Oh…I can’t wait to escape the hustle and bustle of the high street and soak up the nostalgia at an enchanting festive extravaganza being held in the beautiful setting of West Dean House and Gardens in West Sussex.
Christmastime at West Dean, from December 14-15, will feature a host of attractions to get you in seasonal mood, from a Christmas market to vintage carousel, horse-drawn carriage rides and festive demonstrations.
With the prospect of sipping mulled wine served by butlers in the grand Oak Hall, roaring log fires and a chance to roast marshmallows outside at a fire pit, what’s not to like?
Top tip from the lovely staff up at West Dean; if you’d like your children to see Father Christmas then book your tickets early to beat the rush.
For more information click here.
With Christmas just around the corner, I’m determined to start my shopping early this year to save time and energy.
If you’ve got any great ideas and would like me to share your suggestions for lovely Christmas gifts, events, workshops or places to visit, just drop a line to mail@janetmcmeekin.co.uk, ideally with a photograph of the product.
First up is bespoke jewellery designer Charlotte Cornelius, who has sent me details of her Christmas Open Studio. The event is tomorrow (Friday, November 8) between 10am and 7pm at 20 Bacon Lane on Hayling Island, PO11 0DN.
If you can’t make tomorrow, you can call Charlotte on 07880 705981 to arrange a convenient time to pop in.
Snap! If you think this looks a little familiar then you’re right. It’s one of Susie Watson’s delightful fabrics – spotted while out and about, visiting a pretty cottage renovation.
Feathers in Duck Egg Blue grabbed my attention a couple of weeks ago while on an interior design course in the Susie Watson Designs store in Chichester, West Sussex. It was super to see the Roman blinds, made from both Feathers and Bloomsbury fabrics, looking simply stunning in this charming home.
Delighted to be able to help a good friend with ideas for her kitchen makeover. Thankfully, our combined stash of interiors magazines proved just the ticket for inspiration. Not to mention an endless supply of tea and cake!
Having gone from: “Be honest” to “How honest?”, plenty of brainstorming, lots of laughter and frank discussion, we are finally there. The wall has been knocked down recently and the room has almost doubled in size. Now that my friend is armed with a host of ideas, I can’t wait to see her transformation.
If you’ve given a room in your home a fresh new look recently and would like to see the makeover featured in a magazine, drop me a line at mail@janetmcmeekin.co.uk
Altogether now…ahhhh! Delighted to receive this ultra-cute, and very timely, baby photograph from a proud homeowner and to catch up on news about her adorable new addition and super house.
Young (in fact, very young!) Idris made a rather dramatic, earlier than expected appearance, a few weeks ago but both mum and lovely little bundle are doing well.
Homeowners are such an important part of my job. It’s a privilege to meet so many fantastic people who love their homes and also to be made so very welcome in their houses.
When someone takes the time to drop a line or photograph about their latest house project or family event, or recommends me to write a feature about someone else’s home, it makes a wonderful job even more worthwhile. Thanks very much folks. 🙂