I’m delighted that Homes & Gardens editor Deborah Barker is flagging up one of my features in the welcome panel of the current (July) issue. The four-page feature explains how Gloucestershire-based Andrew Davidson became a wood engraver and what inspires this talented yet modest man’s wonderful work. During his career, Andrew has established an enviable worldwide client base and has recently designed a stunning fabric and wallpaper collection for Lewis & Wood. 
If the weather’s looking a little dreary where you are then why not pop the kettle on, switch off for a while and check out Elsebeth Gatacre’s dreamy beachside home feature? This fabulous coastal property, tucked away just off West Wittering beach, recently starred on the front page of Coast magazine. It’s little wonder that it was given such prominence since it is a truly amazing transformation with stunning interior design boasting understated elegance with a Scandinavian influence. Garden designer Elsebeth has also made a fabulous job of the coastal garden.
To read the full feature click here.
Busy day ahead writing about the delights of the New Forest before popping along to an open day being held at interior designer Juliet Pick’s home at Tithe Barn in Church Lane, Oving, West Sussex (pictured below). The event runs from 10am until 7.30pm. See my previous blog post for fuller details.
Oh I do love to be beside the seaside – particularly when it involves visiting beautiful homes on a glorious day! Popped down to Old Portsmouth today to meet some lovely homeowners and check out their individual and very different interior styles before doing a little sightseeing in the sunshine. No worries about rough seas for these Wightlink ferries today and, just round the corner, this huge yacht (pictured above) was moored at Gunwharf Quays – seemingly it’s one of the largest and most luxurious in the world. And the dog (pictured bottom)….well he was just cute, if a little puzzled! 🙂
If you’re in need of a little design inspiration for your home then make a date in your diary for Thursday, May 31st when interior designer Juliet Pick is hosting an informal open day at her stylish home in Oving near Chichester. Juliet is being joined by talented floral designer Katherine Stayt who will be displaying a seasonal selection of her striking floral arrangements.
So, whether one room or your whole property needs a fresh injection of colour and pizzazz, or you’d love a professional floral designer to give your home that extra special touch, this is a super opportunity to meet Juliet and Kathryn and have a chat while enjoying either a cup of coffee or glass of sparkling wine and canapĂ©s. It’s also a great chance to check out the latest fabric and wallpaper collections from top names such as Manuel Canovas, Designers Guild, Zoffany, Jane Churchill, Nina Campbell, Colefax and Fowler, Blendworth and Vanessa Arbuthnott to name but a few.
The event starts at 10am and runs until 7.30pm. The postcode is PO20 2DE and it’s best to park in Church Lane and stroll up the drive to Tithe Barn where a warm welcome will await! I’m looking forward to it already. For more information about Juliet Pick click here and for Katherine Stayt click here.
Just back from a wonderful couple of days working in the Cotswolds. Stunning cottage transformation, amazing scenery and lovely friendly owners. It’s no secret that I thoroughly enjoy my job as an interiors writer and on days like these it doesn’t really get much better! 🙂
Aha! A brief glimpse of sunshine and time to share Beverley Bramwell’s solution to tracking down stylish furniture. When this innovative and extremely creative designer struggled to find lovely outdoor and indoor pieces for her own home she simply took matters into her own hands. The result is a fabulous collection of pieces that look great and are extremely versatile and practical. Check out Beverley’s Star chair and other products from the Thomas Bramwell Collection by clicking here.
Great to see art lovers of all ages out in force at the Pallant House Gallery Open Day in Chichester today. The gallery, which is right on my doorstep, boasts a world-class Collection of Modern British Art and is a fabulous place to escape the showers, switch off and wander around at your leisure.
We were lucky enough to bump into renowned scenographer, Professor Pamela Howard, and spent a few minutes chatting to her about her amazing career and the intriguing Oaklands Park installation at the gallery, which has been designed to mark the 50th anniversary of Chichester Festival Theatre. This was a big hit with all my family!
I feel very privileged to live in such an inspirational and beautiful little corner of the world!
Just doing a bit of research for an interiors feature and noticed that TV star Kirstie Allsopp is looking for people who would like a ‘handmade makeover’ in their home to take part in a brand new craft series.
If you’d like Kirstie to give your home a bit of crafty TLC then call 0141 427 5880.
Great buzz at interior designer Caroline Ivory’s super new homewares shop Ivory & Pitch in Westbourne, West Sussex. Caroline has a wonderful eye for design and colour as I discovered while writing a feature about her home recently. This very talented lady has sourced a fabulous range of stylish homewares to suit all pockets and it’s easy to understand why the shop already has an army of  regular customers. I treated myself to an extended lunch hour and popped in to find a real hive of activity with lots of ladies busying away at a paint workshop and the till jangling! I’ll be back.
