Time for a tablecloth?

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The wonderfully distracting art of tablescaping has been growing in popularity for some time but there’s one particular ingredient of this art that’s causing a bit of a stir. It may not exactly be a ‘tablecloth revolution’ but the way we approach setting the table is changing. Is the humble tablecloth ‘back’ (it’s only been around since 100 AD!) and be the micro trend that has the potential to become something bigger in 2025? What is certain is that it offers delightful styling opportunities as well as a civilised way of setting the world to rights.

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The White Door Brocante at West Green House Gardens, 24 April 2025

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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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Fisher London’s new antique shop

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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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Interior design directions 2025

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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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Vintage Christmas decorating ideas 2024

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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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Raise the roof at St Bartholomew’s Church, Lower Basildon, Berkshire

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I first visited St Bartholomew’s Church in my 20s to attend a friend’s winter wedding. As if on cue, Mother Nature provided the most perfect wintery backdrop of snowfall. The ice tunnel effect down Church Lane was like a scene from the Snow Queen. At the end of the lane, the medieval church welcomed us with its handsome 1734 bell tower and heavy open door. In the pews, we sat expectantly in our hats, layered up with happiness, velvet and tweed to see our friend walk down the aisle.

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West Dean College, house and garden

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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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Modern Country Style

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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.

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Grand Tour, A La Ronde

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From every angle, A La Ronde is an 18th-century circular home that thrills. Its 16-sided exterior belies a theatrical 8-sided interior complete with shell grotto and sea views beyond. To describe it as a cottage doesn’t quite cover it and although it shares some of the decorative DNA of a folly, this doesn’t entirely do it justice either. Quirky it most certainly is, and therefore very much my kind of wonderful. So here are a few highlights from my tour of this National Trust treasure …

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Coastal interior style 2024

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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.

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