COTSWOLDS' INSPIRATION...

Last weekend, while visiting my mother in law in the beautiful Cotswolds, we made a visit to one of my favourite Gloucestershire market towns 'Tetbury'.

Along with its wealth of salvage specialists and antique shops that I know and love already, I was also keen to visit a much written about shop called 'Twig'.....owned by the flamboyant and very talented artist, designer and florist, Su Daybell....

Su Daybell of 'Twig'...

Stepping in to 'Twig' is like entering a rather magical place....first the mass of stunning flowers and plants entices you in, and then you are hit with their incredible scent.  With candles flickering in amongst exuberant displays, ones eyes are drawn to the stunning architectural pieces used in the displays which too are for sale...

Statement topiary....

Fresh flowers and bulbs...

Oversize antique planters...

Olive trees...

Glass and interior accessories...

...and antique garden pieces, are all perfect finds for anyone wanting to make a 'statement'.

Along with furniture and decorative items, the shop is the perfect backdrop for Su's undoubted talent, showcasing her paintings which are in the lyrical abstract style....

...along with her own range of beautiful fabrics and lampshades, available through Lewis & Wood.  

The pretty outside courtyard completed our tour of Su's magical emporium, and had we had room in the car, I could have so been tempted with one of the fabulous baskets or planters to take home...

....I shall return!

'TWIG' (click to view)

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Wishing you all a very happy and inspiring Wednesday, wherever you are...

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!

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Wishing you all a very happy Thursday...

Sophia xx

www.sophiawadsworthinteriors.co.uk

A SPOILING BIRTHDAY….IN VENICE!

Source: Google images

It has certainly been a very spoiling year of travel for me, with a lovely mix of time away spent with our children, my mother and sister, and friends.  Any of you who follow me on Instagram (@sophiahomelifestyle) will know that a couple of weeks ago, Mr. SH and I rounded off this inspiring year with a trip for just the two of us….a few days in beautiful Venice, to celebrate my birthday, which was a wonderful treat!

ALL PHOTOS: SOPHIA HOME

I can not believe that it has taken us so long to finally visit this extraordinarily magical place…we were completely enchanted!  

We had a very spoiling three nights at the renowned Gritti Palace Hotel, situated overlooking the Grand Canal, where we were immersed in true luxury...

From a design perspective, I was in my element…with exquisite Fortuny silk fabrics at the windows and on the walls, Murano glass lighting, antique furniture, through to the gorgeous Aqua di Parma products in the beautiful marble bathroom…the Gritti Palace envelopes you in pampering luxury.  With a fascinating history and equally fascinating past guest list from Ernest Hemingway to the Rolling Stones, amongst many others, it is one of Venice's iconic retreats.

Rich and sumptuous interiors...

Elegant and gourmet...

The cosy and relaxing 'Longhi' bar, overlooking the Grand Canal…perfect for an evening cocktail!

And beautiful fresh roses everywhere….even in our room as a surprise from the 'Gritti' for my birthday...

It was of course looking very festive!

At this time of year, Venice is crowd free…making walking for hours around this extraordinary 'floating' city a true pleasure.  Countless pretty bridges and a new and heart stopingly beautiful vista around every corner.  With an abundance of trattorias serving delicious Venetian dishes, especially wonderful fresh seafood, and 'Osterias' serving delicious little 'tapas' dishes….we were not short on choice of atmospheric places to stop and recharge, before heading off on foot again to explore a new and stunning island.

Venice's legendary 'gondolas'….

Beautiful historic architecture…

Everyday life….all on the water.

Venice would not be Venice, without the legendary flooding….the locals all so used to the daily ritual of mopping up….just part of everyday Venetian life.  'Wellies' are essential of course….

Even for some of the furniture!

I love to travel, and like to find inspiration from anywhere that I visit….but Venice topped them all!  As we waited on the edge of the Grand Canal, waiting for our water taxi to take us back to the airport….we vowed to return soon to this very special and magical of places!

Have you visited Venice?  If so, I would love to hear from you!

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Enjoy the rest of your week…

Sophia xx

THAT  'BACK TO SCHOOL'  FEELING….

ALL IMAGES: VIA PINTEREST

Do you know what I mean by that 'Back to school' feeling?  Even though my days of the school run for my own children are over now, and of course my own school days a distant memory, September and the start of the school year stirs up a feeling of anticipation for new beginnings….

Childhood memories of the excitement of new shoes and a freshly stocked pencil case (I know, sad, but I was like that?!) are now replaced with a desire for a fresh approach to my work space and business.  From the small things like a bit of a shake up of systems and the reorganisation of my files, perhaps a new look for a change of stationary and letter head, and business cards….through to exploring further and instigating some of the bigger new venture plans that I have been nurturing for a while!

To be creative, my working environment is very important to me.  To have everything on hand but in great storage is a must…. 

….and flowers and a favourite scented candle brighten and make the dullest day seem special….

 I have had the great pleasure of working on a couple of beautiful 'studies/home offices' for clients recently…one smart, formal and manly and the other light, fresh and feminine….once drab unfinished spaces but both now transformed in to fabulous, inspiring places to work, with great storage, lighting and beautiful furnishings.  A favourite of recent projects!

 Whether you work from home, want somewhere to organise the family schedule, somewhere to write that potential novel in you, or purely somewhere to sit and plan and day dream, here are some gorgeous work spaces which inspire me….

Light and feminine…

Smart and masculine…

Industrial and eclectic...

Ultimate organisation...

Compact and bijoux…

Streamlined…

Elegant…

Whether you have the luxury of a designated room to call your own, or have an organised but cosy corner of your kitchen (like me!), what do you consider the important elements for a productive and inspiring work space?  I would love to hear from you!

Wishing you a happy Tuesday…

Sophia xx

For help and advice to create your dream schemes, please contact me via my website www.sophiawadsworthinteriors.co.uk