The location in Hampshire with the beautiful river Test running through it, the gardens and the ancient trees is the first thing that makes you understand why Mottisfont evolved from a priory in 1201 to a country house 800 years later. It attracted society hostess and arts patron, Maud Russell (1891-1982) and her husband to buy it in 1934. Maud surrounded herself with a group of bohemian artists and authors, many of whom had been dubbed the “Bright Young Things” in the interwar years. Maud commissioned the society artist Rex Whistler to decorate the drawing room with tromp l’oeil. This is such a poignant room not only for its beauty but because Rex Whistler completed it just before he died during active service in 1944.
Continue reading “Mottisfont National Trust house and garden”Category: Wallpaper
White Door Brocante at West Green House gardens 23 April 2026
After what has seemed like one of the wettest, light-deprived winters on record, the next White Door Brocante at West Green House gardens on Thursday 23rd April 2026 in North Hampshire promises once again to weave its Spring magic. I am looking forward to seeing a fresh crop of expertly curated vintage and antiques against the backdrop of an English manor house garden.
Continue reading “White Door Brocante at West Green House gardens 23 April 2026”Old school style isn’t just for Christmas
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.
Continue reading “Old school style isn’t just for Christmas”Close-ups from London Design Social
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 …
Continue reading “Close-ups from London Design Social”Inverary Castle interiors
18th-century Inverary Castle in Argyll makes a statement not only with its prominent position on Loch Fyne but with the powerful decorative message it portrays as the ancestral seat of Clan Campbell. Over the centuries, the castle’s interior decoration has been shaped by clan wars (1300 medieval weapons alone decorate the 21m high hall), by devastating fires and a marriage in the 1950s between the 11th Duke of Argyll and heiress Margaret Duchess of Argyll that infamously ended in scandal.
Continue reading “Inverary Castle interiors”Cornish coastal style
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 …
Continue reading “Cornish coastal style”Vintage Christmas decorating ideas 2024
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.
Continue reading “Vintage Christmas decorating ideas 2024”Modern Country Style
Every Autumn, my desire to move to a country cottage deepens and with it comes thoughts on how best to decorate. I had every intention of sharing with you some of the country-inspired earth tones and textural burgundy browns that are emerging for interiors. But, the power of the colour palette I mentioned in Interior Design Directions for 2024 has, rather like an irresistible Lewis & Wood vine, taken hold here at blog HQ.
Continue reading “Modern Country Style”Coastal interior style 2024
It’s that time of year when beachcombing for coastal interior style is in full swing on the blog. With winter’s storms behind us, this year’s surf rolls in with a colour palette where thundery North Sea greys meet the balmier tones of Atlantic and Cornish coastal blues. A sea spray of sepia tones wash over 2024 coastal styling, highlighting the textures of antique and vintage treasures along with wavy scallop shapes and the magic of artisan-made shell decoration.
Continue reading “Coastal interior style 2024”Borders giving designers the edge
Borders are back. In paper form for walls, but also as textiles for upholstery and soft furnishings. They are increasingly becoming a focal point in schemes, giving interior designers the edge in more ways than one. Knowing how much to use and where is a matter of interpretation, but knowing where to source is key. Adored by interior designers worldwide, top British textile designer Pink House by Rebecca Cole has become the go-to name for bespoke and vintage textile borders.
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