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Having met Rachel Holland and Ruben Stephenson, I can totally understand why, one year, their characterful Georgian home became an open house with 80 revellers turning up to party with this fun-loving couple into the wee small hours.

We had a really memorable Christmas shoot at this lovely couple’s four-storey townhouse, located in the heart of Old Portsmouth.

When the subject of a festive feature in Ideal Home’s January 2016 issue, first cropped up, Rachel announced: “Oh great, Ruben loves Christmas,” and, I have to say, the energetic pair, who run commercial diving company RS Divers, pulled out all the stops to welcome us into their home and ensure the shoot was a runaway success.

I’m really impressed with architect Carl Leroy-Smith’s creative transformation of this period home. The brand new storey, built by Jeremy Westcott and his team, is a wonderful airy space that now boasts fabulous views over Portsmouth Harbour and out to the Isle of Wight. Loaf’s Ruffle king-size bed in Turmeric Clever Velvet takes centre stage in the master bedroom.

If, like Ruben, you love the festive season, and would like to see your home, complete with Christmas tree and decorations, featured in a national magazine, drop a line to mail@janetmcmeekin.co.uk or call 01243 792379.

Photographs, courtesy of Bruce Hemming

Happy Monday to you! It’s been more than a tad busy around here lately, but the tree’s finally up and I’m working on my fresh holly and ivy decorations, in between shoots at stylish homes that are all decked out for Christmas.

Every year, I like to add a decoration to our collection of old favourites. The new addition for Christmas 2015 is this little rustic number (above) bought from the bubbly Jessica Alice during a wonderful afternoon at Sarah Moore Vintage’s Christmas barn sale last weekend. Simple but rather striking, don’t you think?

There was a great buzz at the festive event, particularly since they were filming for the next series of the BBC’s Money for Nothing. It was lovely to meet, the programme’s presenter, Sarah, who was calmly taking everything in her stride. Looking forward to catching the series when it’s screened in 2016.

There’s something rather magical about Maureen and Jeremy Dew’s gorgeous Georgian home – particularly in the lead up to Christmas.

This atmospheric shot (above) was taken by photographer colleague, Andreas von Einsiedel, towards the end of a wonderful festive shoot at this enchanting Surrey house, which simply oozes elegance and sophistication. The couple’s delightful home is peppered with French-inspired furniture from La Residence Interiors.

It was heart-warming to hear how Maureen and Jeremy love spending Christmas together with their family, celebrating in truly traditional style, and to find out how they’ve put their own special stamp on this handsome property.

To see inside the couple’s stunning home, pick up a copy of the January 2016 issue of Country Homes & Interiors, switch off from the hectic seasonal bustle and, treat yourself to a quiet browse.

If you love the festive season, and would like to see your home, complete with Christmas tree and decorations, featured in a national magazine, drop a line to mail@janetmcmeekin.co.uk or call 01243 792379.

Picture below by Andreas von Einsiedel: The sofa, between the Christmas trees, chairs and ottoman are all from La Residence Interiors.

To find out more about Maureen’s home-staging business, Smoke & Mirrors, visit www.smokeandmirrorsstyling.com

Fancy taking a peek inside Hannah and Theo Hodnett’s first home?

This hard-working couple’s labour-of-love cottage, located in an idyllic spot in rural Shropshire, is starring in the current (December 2015) issue of 25 Beautiful Homes.

Pick up a copy to discover how this creative pair will be celebrating their first Christmas together, as husband and wife, in the new-build home they’ve poured their hearts and souls into.

Have to say, I love the little zinc house lanterns (pictured below), which add an extra touch of twinkling Christmas cheer to this charming home.

You can catch a glimpse of the Hodnett’s much-loved cottage, and plenty of other inspiring festive homes, by watching the video, produced by 25 Beautiful Homes. The couple’s sitting room is the one with the red-brick inglenook and upcycled display cabinet that appears in the new-build category.

Just click the link here to view.

So, huge congratulations to Hannah and Theo…delighted to hear that the wedding was such a success. I wish you all the very best for your future together.

Photographs courtesy of Jeremy Phillips.

This Christmas, wouldn’t it be lovely to give (or receive) a truly personal present?

For many years, gifted artist Alison McKnight has been delighting homeowners with her portraits of their much-loved properties.

‘I relish the opportunity to capture the essence of someone’s home in my work,’ says Alison. ‘To see the look on clients’ faces when they see the final result and know that I’ve created something unique is incredibly rewarding.

‘I’ve painted everything from handsome period houses to quaint cottages and modern new-builds for all sorts of occasions, including Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries.’

Recently, Alison has been receiving an increasing number of commissions for her pen and wash portraits, which are perfect for homeowners who are looking for more contemporary paintings.

Prices, from a provided photograph, start at £150 for an A4 painting (unframed) and £195 (framed) or A3 at £200 (unframed) and £250 (framed). The prices exclude postage, which costs £5 (unframed) £10 (framed).

To commission a painting, all you have to do is take a photograph of your home (with a straight-on view towards the property), and email that to Alison at alison.mcknight@btconnect.com

You can view more of Alison’s work, including her traditional watercolour portraits, by browsing www.alisonmcknightartist.co.uk

Don’t panic! Thankfully, this drab and sombre living room won’t be gracing the pages of any glossy interiors magazine.

The snap was taken at York’s famous Castle Museum a few days ago during a Halloween half-term break.

When I first visited the Museum, back in the day, the cobbled recreated streets of Victorian York made such an impression on me that I was keen to squeeze this into our whistle-stop sightseeing agenda.

The view of the street, looking down through the window, was precisely what I’d remembered as a child. This time, however, my lasting memory was somewhat different. Ahhh, that dark and dingy Victorian living room…I desperately wanted to dash out and buy a tin of paint to cheer this dull space up and make it more homely. Aren’t we lucky that times have changed?

Found myself standing in this stylish living room yesterday, while catching up with delightful homeowner Clare Willison.

A few months ago, charming artist Clare, who owns café, Billy’s on the Beach, welcomed me into her stunning New England-style home. The memorable shoot ended up with an early evening paddle in the sea, complete with a spectacular sunset!

During our interview for Country Homes & Interiors, Clare revealed that she’ll often pop on her wetsuit in the morning, walk through her garden, straight down the beach and dive into the surf for the half-mile swim to her bustling café on the seafront at Bracklesham Bay. Well, I’ve never come across anyone who swims to work so, clearly, this had to be a great line for my feature.

I do love Clare’s coastal-inspired living room, which is peppered with her eye-catching driftwood artwork and handmade cushions. The coffee table, made from reclaimed floorboards, adds to the laid-back homely feel that Clare and her husband, Murray Johnstone, yearned for.

Thankfully, I chose the right afternoon for my impromptu visit. For a late October day, the weather was absolutely fantastic…perfect for a quick stroll along the beach to Billy’s and a cuppa while soaking up the last rays of summer and enjoying the views out to the Isle of Wight.

For more information about Clare’s work, view www.driftwoodboats.co.uk or call 01243 673560.

To read the previous blog about Clare’s new-build home, click here.

Photograph above courtesy of Richard Gadsby

Looking forward to tomorrow morning when I’ll be heading into the heart of the South Downs to interview an owner at her stunning barn conversion.

One of my favourite spaces in this gorgeous family home has to be the magnificent, vaulted living room on the first floor with its far-reaching views over the surrounding countryside.

The interior designer has incorporated bright and breezy bluebellgray cushions into the living room scheme and I reckon they’re ideal for adding a vibrant splash of colour, without detracting from the exposed beams and other charming period features in the room.

Which reminds me, if you haven’t already spotted bluebellgray’s brand new Kirkcaldy fabric (picture above) then take a look at the range on their website by clicking here. I imagine I’ll soon be seeing much more of this fun signature stripe in the homes that I visit over the next wee while.

The barn conversion feature is due to be published next spring, so I’ll keep you posted as soon as that hits the shelves.

Took ten minutes out from a hectic week and this afternoon’s ‘secret’ business meeting to catch my breath on the beach – despite being totally inappropriately dressed for the occasion!

These muted shades happened to catch my eye since they’re virtually identical to the subtle palette featured in one of the houses I’m writing about this week. It’s a fabulous starter home, full of character and a gentle nod to the delights of coastal living. Hope your own week is going swimmingly!

Magnificent Devon scenery, incredible late-summer weather, two stunning homes, two delightful homeowners and one wonderful interior designer.

I can safely say that our back-to-back shoots near Exeter were a total success. Can’t wait for both homes to appear in print…keep you posted.