I WANT TO KEEP DUCKS….!

Do any of you keep ducks?

My good friend Amanda does, and every time I visit her and see them, I think of how much I would love to keep some!

These gorgeous things are Campbells and Pekins….don't you just love their adorable duck house, with its cascade of rambling roses, which used to be an old outside 'privy' in the garden of Amanda's beautiful 'William and Mary' house.

Yes, I could be very tempted….we have a natural pond by our orchard…it would be perfect…and they could live in our old abandoned chicken house at night….mmm....I can feel a plan coming together!

Wishing you all a very happy Thursday!

Sophia xx

A GLORIOUS GLUT…

ALL PHOTOS: SOPHIA HOME

In spite of great intentions each year to reign in my over the top planting schedule, I always seem to grow enough vegetables to feed an army….but hey…all the more to share with family and friends!

My 'glorious glut' at the moment, like many over enthusiastic gardeners, is an abundance of delicious courgettes (or 'zucchini' as my American readers would say).  Thank goodness we have a house full to feed this weekend!

Both yellow and green….

I am having to challenge myself and put my mind to a variety of ways to use them up! 

Roasted in the oven or grilled on the barbecue and then topped with mint and feta cheese is a favourite….along with this delicious creamy courgette and basil soup, which is equally good served chilled or warm.

Simply fry onions, garlic, chilli and courgettes and cover with chicken or vegetable stock and simmer until tender.  Add a large handful of fresh basil and salt and pepper.  Whizz up in a blender and add a dash of cream and a freshly grated parmesan….easy and so delicious!

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Do you have any top tips and recipes for courgettes?  I am need of some further inspiration!

Wishing you all a very happy weekend….

Sophia xx

HAPPY TUESDAY!

Today I am taking a day off…..no work projects, no mad list of job….no pressures.

You'll find me at the beach!

My mother's gorgeous beach hut to be precise….a special place I shall share with you soon.

Have a lovely day….whether at work or at play!

Sophia xx

TUESDAY….COLOUR INSPIRATION...

Well, I have to agree with Frank!

I never used to though…. 

Orange was never a colour that I embraced that much….until now.

Working so much with colour for my client projects, in contrast I usually prefer to keep my own home, wardrobe and even my garden for much of the year (with the exception of Spring!) in calm and neutral shades most of the time….

….although this summer things have changed just a tiny bit.  Orange, and particularly burnt orange, has started creeping in to my life!  

Shoes and accessories….and even 'wellies'...who can resist this perfect pop of colour to a neutral wardrobe.

A bright and polished manicure essential for the summer...

Beautiful home highlights too, from chic to fun….

…and a delicious treat!

ALL IMAGES via PINTEREST

Happy orange….happy Tuesday!

Sophia xx


www.sophiawadsworthinteriors.co.uk

 FIRST DAHLIAS….and wishing you all

a happy week ahead!

The first Dahlias, picked from my new 'Cutting' beds at the back of the greenhouse, in the kitchen garden….they say that the more you pick, the more they grow….so hopefully these are the first of many, to enjoy inside over the Summer and early Autumn!

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On this gorgeous sunny evening here in Kent, I wish you all a very happy week ahead, whatever you have planned!

Sophia xx

A PHOTO SHOOT AT HOME….

FOR 'EL MUEBLE' MAGAZINE.

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It was a busy time here at home, the run up to going away on holiday last week….tying up client projects and all the other inevitable things that need to be done before taking a week off work!

Amongst this though,  it was with great pleasure that I had agreed to a two day photo shoot for an article for inspirational Spanish interiors magazine 'El Mueble'.

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The article and front cover feature is due out in September, and I look forward to sharing the final professional shots of this with you when the time comes.  In the meantime, I thought you may like to take a peek at some of my own 'snaps' of behind the scenes.  

I was delighted to welcome and meet Dafne Vijande and Santiago Moreno and to spend time with this extraordinarily talented duo.  Dafne is a charming and very talented interior designer and stylist and works for a number of magazines, but dose much work for 'El Mueble' in particular.  Santiago Moreno is a skilled, experienced and talented photographer with an equally 'good eye' and it was evident that they worked extremely well together….having styled and photographed many interesting houses together over the years.

PHOTO: SOPHIA HOME (Dafne Vijande and Santiago Moreno)

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We have had a number of photo shoots here at home, since designing and building our house six years ago, but I have never seen such meticulous attention to detail as on this occasion.  I of course was in my element  helping to choose details and accessories to style each room, and it is always so interesting to see another person's perspective on a similar like minded theme?

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For instance, I usually leave the bare white painted wood of our dining room table showing, which I love, but after Dafne introduced this beautiful grey linen table cloth, I think I may just have to get one to ring the changes sometimes….I loved the end result of this simple, elegant table setting, combining both my white and grey china…

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With the final decision to add a beautiful pop of pink to the overall neutral look…

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 Our abundance of roses, hydrangeas and foxgloves in the garden, came in handy for the beautiful arrangements that Dafne put together for each shot….

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It will be so interesting to see the finished photographs in time…as I say, these are merely my snaps behind the scenes of the day!

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The first red currants, artichokes and onions from the kitchen garden came in useful also, for the kitchen styling...

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As well as the interior shots of the house, numerous pictures of the garden, deck and kitchen garden were taken….and although the weather looked unpredictable, the sun seemed to appear at just the right moments….

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I shall so look forward to sharing the final article and pictures with you when published in September….

Until then, a very big thank you to Dafne and Santiago for the most inspiring and enjoyable company….two lovely, talented people whom I hope very much to be able to work with again in the future!

Sophia xx

To see more of Dafne Vijande's fabulous styling and interior design work, and Santiago Moreno's beautiful photography, you can visit her website here.