GIRL CHAT, RIBBONS AND A GORGEOUS LONDON 'PIED A TERRE'

Photos: Sophia Home

Yesterday whilst in London, I linked up with one of my dearest friends Sarah, for a long overdue catchup over a spot of lunch.  She and I go back a long way - we worked together in our very first job in London some....ooh....let's just say quite a few years back! We ran an office together back then.....with great success I remember....we hit it off and the double act worked efficiently.  When we moved on to other jobs, our friendship remained firm. We both married young, our weddings the same year and then went on to become godmothers to one of each other's children.  Lunch was great, with lots of chat and catching up on each other's news, lives and families.

Stunning feathers.

We were in Marylebone, which is one of my favourite parts of London these days.  Marylebone High Street is full of stylish interior and clothes shops, with gorgeous independent boutiques and restaurants in neighbouring side streets.  The delicious lunch we had was at the gorgeous french restaurant Le Relais de Venise L'Entrecote in Marylebone Lane.  A stones throw from hectic Oxford Street, it is a far cry from this crowded touristy area, and feels almost 'village like' in parts.  One shop we made a beeline for after lunch was V.V.Rouleaux - a gorgeous destination for ribbons, tassels and trimmings.  For anyone who adores creating their own embellishments, interior finishing touches and making accessories from the simple through to the more elaborate art of creating their own hats and fascinators, this is like a child walking in to a sweetie shop.  A treasure trove of feathers, beads, tassels, butterflies, birds (to name a few) and every colour and texture of ribbon under the sun.  For anyone who hasn't been to this fabulous shop, I would recommend a visit if you are ever in this part of town........

Fascinators...

Ribbons, ribbons, ribbons,,,,,

glitter and sparkle.....

Butterflies.....

Stylish windows....

VV Rouleaux

Having had a good browse around VV Rouleaux, we went back to Sarah's delightful 'Mews House' in a pretty, neighbouring, cobbled street, as I was keen to see the renovations that she was carrying out.  She is one of my very capable and stylish friends who along with her husband has created a stunning, comfortable family home in the countryside for themselves and their five children.  Needing also to be in London during the week, they have made this charming Mews property their 'pied a terre'.  

I have always loved Mews Houses, and find their history fascinating.  The word 'Mews' comes from the time when the Royal hawks were 'mewed' or moulted in the Royal Mews at Charing Cross.  The use changed to stabling in the reign of King Henry VIII.

Mews houses mainly date from the mid 19th century and were used as stabling and carriage housing on ground level, with staff quarters above. In the past forty years or so, they have become very sought after as homes in some of the most desirable parts of London. 

With builders busy working on creating a fabulous master suite on the top floor, Sarah was able to show me their plans, and share with me the finished results of what they had already completed.  With garaging in the ground level original stabling/carriage house (which is a rare luxury in central London), there were three additional floors with 'compact and bijoux' but very stylish bedrooms and bathrooms and a very pretty open plan kitchen/sitting room.  Unlike most Mews conversions that tend to have windows just to the front, this elegant property had double aspect windows
to both the front and rear, with light flooding in to each room.
 As an interior designer, I am constantly interested and inspired by properties of all types, and love to see how people use and decorate their living spaces.  This lovely home was particularly
inviting and inspiring.

Furniture from 'Oka',  cushions William Yeoward....

Making the most of a compact space, the sofa turns in to a sofa-bed for extra visitors.

The stylish  kitchen/dining area is open to the pretty sitting-room area.

*****

Thank you to my friend Sarah for allowing me to share one or two pictures of her stylish 'pied a terre'........ 

I do hope you are all having a lovely week!

Sophia xxx