IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME 

OF THE YEAR....

Hello everyone and happy Christmas!

As I write this very belated blog post this Friday late afternoon, there is that wonderful anticipation for the imminent festivities that start this weekend!

With two out of three of our brood coming home from London for the celebrations (sadly eldest son is not home from Singapore this year, but we shall see him soon!), like all us Mums, I can't wait to have my chicks under one roof.

We shall have our usual 'Swenglish celebrations'....Swedish smorgasbord and presents on Christmas Eve and English Christmas on Christmas Day.  With a Swedish mother and English father, this lovely mix is something we celebrated when I was a child, and have since carried on with our own children.

Decorating the house is always a highlight for me. I start early on December 1st. (which happens to be my birthday!) with two fresh trees....

...and plenty of bulbs and fresh flowers around the house.

This is Delilah's first Christmas, and I'm relieved to see that she hasn't decided to demolish the trees....could have something to do with not being able to reach? Ha ha!

Fairy lights are a must...

...and plenty of bubbles!  Any of you who follow my Instagram (@sophiahomeandlifestyle) will know that this is Mr. W's Christmas styling input! I think he was rather chuffed with all the kind comments he received!

So with candles and fire lit this evening, and a glass of bubbles poured, may I wish all of you and your families a very happy Christmas!

Lots of love, 

Sophia xx

BOYS' BEDROOMS - A REVAMP

Maybe it's the time of year, but I have felt super motivated recently to spruce things up at home, and give everywhere a refresh.  

First on my list recently were my boys' bedrooms. Both in their 20's and living in London, their rooms are not the sanctuaries they once were to them when they were in their teens and living at home, and pretty much all their belongings have moved with them.  However, they are still very much their rooms when they are visiting home.  

They were looking a little dated and 'young', so the plan was to repaint, have a change of furniture and give them a 'grown up' look they would each enjoy, with the intention to also double as smart spare bedrooms for visiting friends.

First is my eldest son's bedroom.  After a repaint, new furniture, and a beautiful statement headboard from Headboards Ltd. in a buttoned upholstered linen and new linen from the White Company, I am very pleased with the results!   This gorgeous throw and cushions are from their 'Tuscany Collection', in colour 'Smoke'. Beautifully soft waffle velvet, with a linen border.

The lamp bases were originally dark wood, but with a coat of Autentico chalk paint in 'Coco', and new drum shades found online, they had a whole new look.

My youngest son's room was more of a challenge to paint.  Having previously had dark navy walls, it took undercoat and three coats to cover.    I spent a good week covered in paint, as you can imagine!  His previous pine furniture was also transformed with Autentico Chalk Paint in 'Gris' which I can highly recommend.  So easy and quick to apply, giving the room a whole new calm and restful look.

Again a large statement headboard was made by Headboards Ltd. in a petrol blue, with pewter stud detailing.  

New bedding from the 'White Company', including a lovely knitted throw and cushions from their 'Finley Collection' in Soft Grey, completed the look.  All that is needed are the finishing touches now, and new white plantation shutters and then they are complete!

After a little break, I was fired up to make a few changes to my daughter's room and ours, and I look forward to sharing those with you soon!

***

Have a lovely rest of the week, whatever you have planned....

Sophia xx

PS.   Oh, and by the way, if you like the look of the bedding I have chosen, or are looking for a new look, do click on the White Company link in the side bar to your right here, to find a lovely 30% off many of their ranges, for a limited time only and 20% off many of their gorgeous and ever stylish lines.

 A LITTLE BIT OF IMPULSE SHOPPING...

Happy Friday everyone...hope your week has gone well?  Mine has certainly flown by!  

Followers of my Instagram will know that last weekend, Mr. W and I decided to pop down to Rye, East Sussex which is only thirty minutes from home.  We hadn't been for quite a while, and had forgotten what a lovely place it is.  Beautiful cobbled streets lined with pretty houses, and a variety of great antique/brocante shops which are always worth a browse.  A drink in the lovely George Hotel followed by a delicious late lunch at the Landgate Bistro was certainly a highlight too and highly recommended.

It was just as we were about to head home, that we walked past the window of one particular favourite shop that specialises in industrial and mid century pieces, and this spectacular planter caught our eye.  Let's just say that it was one of the fastest purchases I have ever known Mr. W to make....a man who isn't renowned for his love of shopping!

One of those pieces that one has no idea whatsoever where to put, but just too good to miss.  It was a lightbulb moment when we got home....our front terrace seemed the perfect spot.

An old chicken feeder stand was rescued from the end of the garden, which fitted perfectly, and now raises the planter and allows for drainage....

...and my favourite autumnal heathers and cyclamen can now be enjoyed each time we come and go from the front door.  With a layer of beautiful white and green flecked 'Spring Green' tulip bulbs hidden beneath, next Spring will bring a new show.

Thank you so much to the kind readers who took time to comment on the previous hydrangea post and interesting to read how you have been drying and preserving yours!

Well, here is my first attempt at making an Autumn wreath with mine....a little reminder of the lovely summer gone....and perfect for spraying gold in a few weeks, in time for Christmas!

***

Wishing you all a very happy weekend!

Sophia xx

A SUMMER LUNCH TABLESCAPE...

A tray of these beauties caught my eye the other Friday, in our weekly flower and vegetable market.   Ornamental cabbages are always a fun and eye catching seasonal treat that I love to buy at the end of the summer each year to plant up in pots around the outside of the house.  They seem to mark for me the change of the season, as we approach early Autumn.  Always sad to say goodbye to the summer, but I just love this time of year too.

Before these lovelies made their way outside though, they seemed the perfect addition to the lunch table for friends joining us the next day for a  fun and relaxed lunch party.

Keeping with the same colour theme, I then added Artichokes form the kitchen garden that had gone to flower, to a bowl of hand painted African balls from our travels....

A little different from the usual choice of flowers...

But when vegetables look this pretty...why not?

What do you like to decorate your table with?

I would love to hear!

***

On Thursday I am off for a couple of nights to one of my absolute favourite places...Paris!

A three day trip with my lovely daughter Georgie which will be such a treat!  Precious mother/daughter time in a City that she adores just as much as me.  I look forward to 

sharing our adventures with you on the blog next week!  In the meantime, I shall be sharing beautiful Paris and our finds on my Instagram @sophiahomelifestyle

Wishing you a very happy Tuesday evening!

Sophia xx

'Comfortably English' is how Alison the founder and creator of 'Cowparsley at home' sums up perfectly, the company's newly launched range of beautiful wallpapers....

Having long been a regular reader of her lovely blog 'Cowparsley',  I was so happy to see Alison realise her dream of launching her first collection of exquisite wallpapers.  Proud to be a British brand, all of the wallpapers are traditionally printed in Leicestershire, England by 'Anstey wallpaper company' where they have been producing wallpapers for over 100 years, using high quality techniques.

 Knowing how wonderfully stylish the 'Cowparsley' blog was, I knew that they would be special.... 

PHOTO: SOPHIA HOME

How thrilled I was, when a parcel arrived in the post a few weeks ago from Alison, with samples of seven beautiful designs for me to see...

'Rabbits and Daisies'

'Rocking Horse and Stars'

'Dummer Rose'

'Happy Bees'

'Florence Stripe' and 'Bantham Stripe'

PHOTO: SOPHIA HOME

The inspiration behind these charming designs is summed up beautifully by Alison, in her own words:

'Inspired by country childhood memories and soft, faded English florals.  I wanted to capture the aged elegance and comfort of relaxed family houses, where decoration and much loved possessions have evolved along with the people that live there and the passing years.  The designs are quintessentially English in their feel, and is the inspiration behind them.  'Comfortably English' is the very essense of Cowparsley.'

With a range of fabrics to follow shortly....'Cowparsley at home' is set to be a perfect choice for the classic English look.

If you would like to incorporate Cowparsley at home's beautiful designs in your own home, do visit their lovely website here.

I am certainly wishing for a client project in the future in which to use these gorgeous designs...a child's nursery maybe...those rabbits and rocking horses are just adorable!

***

Wishing you all a very happy Thursday...

Sophia xx

www.sophiawadsworthinteriors.co.uk