It really couldn’t be a better Christmas present with which to end the blog year! British heritage and humour are back on the ‘old school’ timetable. And this year, there is even more to enjoy, thanks to some brilliant home-grown talent and a host of exciting new ‘col-abs’. From Scottish baronial style to the influence of old school tailoring, the blog discovers there are some crackers that aren’t just for Christmas.
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Last night, a dinner took place in Chelsea between US and UK/Europe luxury interiors, textile and fabric brands before a two-day, US-organised London Design Social pop-up, sponsored by Farrow & Ball at Chelsea Town Hall in London. By all accounts entente at the dinner (and really not at all surprising!) was extremely cordiale in the world of interiors. And as for interior journalists and the interior design community, the colour palettes, designs and styling ideas on display today have been more than a little inspiring. Here are just a few design and people close-ups of what caught my eye today …
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Heritage interior style with its old school sustainable approach to interiors is a perennial favourite here at blog HQ. At its core, it encompasses an appreciation of traditional craftsmanship and design history. Not only am I drawn to the work of some top interior designers who do this look so well but also by some new ingredients that are giving it a 21st-century twist.
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Welcome to 16th century Crathes Castle in Aberdeenshire. If you are curious about the heritage of Scottish tower houses, passionate about topiary and painted ceilings inspired by the Renaissance, you won’t be disappointed. My anticipation for coming across something special at Crathes was piqued further when an American tourist commented that the gardens at Crathes Castle “were way better” than the gardens he had just visited at *Balmoral.
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A spring tide brings an early promise of summer and with it, a sea spray of Cornish coastal style. If you have read my blog before, you will know that it’s this time of year when the blog becomes powerless to the tidal charms of coastal interior design. With inspiration from textile and interior designers, from 20th century artists and from quirky landmark architecture, the blog has succumbed once again to the beauty of the British coastline …
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There are all sorts of ways to source vintage and antiques. But making a day of it in the walled garden of an 18th century manor house has to be one of the most enjoyable ways to go shopping. Elise McGreevy-Harris’ next White Door Brocante will be taking place on Thursday 24 April 2025 in the romantic wisteria-clad greenhouses and orchard at West Green House Gardens in North Hampshire. Spring should be in full swing by then – just the ticket for a good day out!
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What an uplifting way to start the New Year, with a visit to Hilary Fisher’s new antiques shop in Bloomsbury. From the pavement, you cannot fail to appreciate its elegant columned window or be energised by its tangerine orange backdrop. The effect is both stylishly confident and inviting. No need for expensive agency rebrands here. Fisher London, with its striking brand colours and ‘uncommonly good antiques’ tagline, has got this. And I can’t wait to share with you, what’s in store …
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A very Happy New Year to you. I hope you had a restful and peaceful Christmas. As is the blog’s tradition, this is the day that I share patterns of interior design directions that have caught my eye for 2025. This year, heritage design, along with bucolic evocations of the countryside, are top stories for interiors. From designer high street collaborations to independent designers and a burgeoning wealth of influential vintage and antique dealers, 2025 is shaping up nicely.
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There’s still just about enough time left to decorate before Christmas! From wallpapering or at least using some leftover pieces for wrapping presents to selecting a piece of gorgeous interiors fabric for a tablecloth. To inspire you, here are some vintage Christmas decorating ideas from Christmas present, but also a few favourites from this blog’s Christmas past.
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If the idea of staying in a centuries old English manor house appeals, then look no further than the bucolic West Sussex parkland of West Dean College of Arts, Design, Crafts and Conservation. Edward James (1907-1984), a 20th century socialite and patron to Salvador Dali, set up a foundation to ensure his family home became a centre for teaching conservation and the creative arts. The Grade II Listed gardens are now open to the public and visitors can stay in the house.
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Charis White Interiors 