Great start to the week. My inbox is bulging with recce shots of lovely homes, room makeovers and, hot on the heels of the Oscars, I’ve just come across a short movie depicting one couple’s fabulous kitchen transformation. The film is great and shows the exact layout of the room. Many thanks to the proud homeowners. 🙂
Thanks to everyone for the lovely feedback about our bathroom makeover, currently featured in the March issue of Ideal Home.
The whole experience was great fun. Safe to say, I can now totally empathise with my homeowners. 🙂
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
To celebrate, The Little Greene Paint Company would love to give you a free gift; a sample pot in one of their most romantic colours.
You can choose from ‘Theatre Red’, ‘Angie’, ‘Mischief’, ‘Carmine’, ‘Leather’ or ‘Pink Slip’ to receive absolutely free.
The offer is only available today from 10am to 9pm so go for it!
All you need to do is fill out the form on The Little Greene Paint Company’s Facebook page and they’ll send out your chosen sample pot in the post.
Have a lovely day and, in the words of singer James Taylor, remember to shower the people you love with love. 🙂
Forgotten to buy a card or gift (or both!) for Valentine’s Day? Don’t worry…it’s not too late but you’d better hurry.
If you happen to live near Derby, why not make your last-minute purchase at Cachepot – an interiors and gift shop in Breaston? Cachepot is run by Jane Eaton, whose lovely house recently starred in my feature in the January issue of 25 Beautiful Homes.
Jane’s shop is currently brimming with all sorts of goodies that would make ideal presents for that special person in your life, from cards to scented candles and jewellery. Oh, and while you’re there, you may just feel tempted to check out the vintage tea room. Ah, if only I lived a little closer…..
Just spotted this on the Bodie and Fou website www.bodieandfou.com and fell for it. If you can’t read what it says, (have to confess that I struggled!) it reads: “Hello Dear, just needed to tell you I love you”. Realistically, I think it’s a wee bit late to expect delivery in time for Valentine’s Day but, if you’re in the mood for love, this may appeal to you. It’s priced from £35.
If I told you that I might have started my writing career on one of these, that may just give away my age so…I’ll leave you pondering on that one! 🙂 Safe to say, my journey into the world of words did begin long after the quill and ink days! 🙂
Happy Friday everyone. 🙂 Just been talking to a friend who’s out walking her dog at West Wittering beach, where this glimmering shot was taken, and thinking I might just treat myself to an early finish later today and pop down to those golden sands while the sun is still shining.
It’s been another busy week here with lots of interviewing (including a successful two-part Skype chat!), writing, pitching out to magazines and speaking to loads of lovely homeowners who are all keen to see their super makeover projects and dazzling homes in print.
A big thanks for all your kind comments – it’s fantastic to be able to share my passion for writing about homes with you and also to receive such great feedback. 🙂
P.S. This photograph is rather close to my heart since my daughter, Louisa, took it during a recent West Wittering visit.
Photograph: Richard Gadsby
I wish I’d been able to get my hands on some gorgeous Fraser & Parsley thank you notelets yesterday.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t that organised so my lovely friends ended up with rather ‘poor relation’ thank you cards instead of some very smart bespoke stationery designed by Josie Parsley and her business partner Rachel Fraser.
On the plus side, I was delighted to discover that Josie’s wonderful home had been given such a prominent position in the February edition of 25 Beautiful Homes – a six-page feature right at the front of the magazine.
Josie’s house, a former village pub, is simply stunning and the photographs taken by one of my photographer colleagues, Richard Gadsby, are superb.
One of Richard’s shots shows Josie working on Fraser & Parsley business in her home office that’s situated in the spacious landing area of this Kent property.
The feature includes several references about Josie’s thriving business and, when it comes to style and colour co-ordination, the reader is left in no doubt that this go-ahead lady knows more than a thing or two about design and attention to detail.
For further information about Fraser & Parsley’s fabulous range of stationery, click here.
If you haven’t seen the feature yet, pop over to my website here.
Sunshine, snowdrops, socialising with good friends (and laughing until you cry!)…what a great weekend. I think it’s true that the best things in life are free and, when it comes to turning a house into a home, some of the most effective ideas are the simplest. I love the way these old family photographs have been displayed in this row of antique glass bottles – very personal and eye-catching. Can’t wait to recreate this idea. 🙂
‘I’m perpetually intrigued by other people’s homes and here at Coast we’re lucky enough to be invited to see some wonderful properties. In this issue we talk to the mastermind behind a stunning new two-storey modern ‘upside down’ home in Sussex.’ Emma Dublin, Coast editor.
Ohhhh…Emma is talking about one of my house finds…definitely one of the coolest homes I’ve ever written about. Can’t wait to see this feature in print in the March issue!
Just heard on the property grapevine that this cutting-edge home, owned by architect Neil Barker and his wife Louise, has gone on the market.
Shiloh, valued at £795,000, is currently for sale with Gascoigne-Pees.
This light-filled detached house was first featured in the self-build magazine Build It. During our interview the tenacious couple revealed how they fought fierce local objection to create this unique home in Inlands Road, Nutbourne, West Sussex.
While we chatted, it came to light that, apart from having designed and built their own house, the plucky pair educate their seven children at home – a pretty impressive achievement by anyone’s standards.
With this in mind, I reckoned their inspirational tale would be ideal for The Independent and, indeed, the newspaper snapped it up.
During the subsequent interview, Neil, who runs AV Ltd, revealed that another project was in the pipeline.
At the time he told me:
“We are keen to use what we have learnt during this process to drive a future project; one that takes another step towards self-sufficiency. We want to take sustainability to another level by considering lifestyle, growing more of our own food and investing even more quality time in our seven children.
“We’re a couple and more importantly a family, who thrive on challenges. We are actively seeking our next project and excited by the potential of pushing the boundaries once again in the not-so-distant future!”
Looks like that time has arrived and I wish the Barkers the very best of luck in finding a buyer.
To read the full home education feature on my website, click here.