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!

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Wishing you all a very happy weekend!

Sophia xx

MY LONDON ADDRESS BOOK....a very special place.

(PHOTO CREDITS FROM MYSELF/VIA GOOGLE IMAGES)

On my drive back to Kent the other morning from an overnight stay in central London, I decided to take a small detour via Richmond, for a welcome cup of coffee in one of my absolute favourite of places.

Hidden away down a small lane, a mere stones throw from the hustle and bustle of the City, can be found a truly magical place.  Petersham Nurseries is like no ordinary garden nurseries....it is a unique, tranquil and stylish oasis, packed with inspiration and beauty at every turn.

Internationally prized, Petersham was the creation ten years ago, of the Boglione family.  Along with the nursery full of beautiful quality and carefully nurtured plants, the stunning shop displays furniture and a tempting array of fabulous interior accessories, garden tools and architectural antiques and objet.

Head chef Damian Clisby, previously head chef at HIX Soho and Cotswold House, heads up the 'Café' restaurant along with Culinary Director Lucy Boyd, gardener, food writer and cook.  Together they create an evolving menu inspired by what is growing in the garden, and the changing seasons.

Set within one of the beautiful old Victorian greenhouses, it is a charming setting.  How lovely for a vintage inspired wedding or celebration like the one they previously hosted above?

Delicious morning coffee and cake or fresh seasonal salad lunches can also be taken in their Teahouse, again housed in a delightful greenhouse setting, surrounded by nature.  

You can imagine why these two are so happy living here!

It is the exquisite array of beautiful things in their shop that truly gets my heart racing.  China, glass, antiques, and accessories....all within an atmosphere which captures the theme of bringing the outside in, which is a look and feel that I love to live with at home.

Each season, Petersham hosts a series of inspiring courses, ranging from gardening and flower arranging, to wild food walks and tea tastings.  I certainly have my eye on one or two of these in the future....the perfect day out in truly magical setting!

Petersham Nurseries....a very special place.

(click for link...)

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Wishing you all a very happy Thursday!

Sophia xx

INSPIRATION FROM CHELSEA...

ROYAL HOSPITAL, CHELSEA

Good morning!

I do hope you have all had a wonderful weekend? Here in the UK it has been a lovely long bank holiday weekend....and for us it has been a super busy few days, with our eldest son and his girlfriend and a number of their friends staying, which always fills the house with an interesting, charming and enthusiastic young adult energy, which we love.

Before the partying began, Mr. 'SH' and I spent a wonderful day at the Chelsea Flower Show up in town on Saturday.  I adore Chelsea, and this year was particularly gorgeous and inspiring.  

Beautiful planting combinations in all the show gardens....

Each year I am in awe of the shear amount of work that goes in to just three weeks' preparation....the beautiful gardens looking as if they have been there for years. 

Plenty of my favourite 'kitchen garden' plantings too....

Inspirational architecture.....loved the soft wild flower planting on the roof of the strong lines of this garden room.

Of particular interest this year, was the increased showcasing of stunning sculpture and garden ornaments....

Could have quite happily taken many of them home with me!

A true artistic talent in these incredible driftwood sculptures...

High on our wish list is this beautiful stainless steel armillary sphere.  How special to have this in the garden, with personal important places and family names engraved along the rings...

Antique stone troughs....

....and this fabulous water feature, also caught our eye.

As did these gorgeous 'Artichoke' garden spheres...

Hard to take many photos of the amazing show gardens, because of the crowds...but managed to capture a few....love the colour combination above.

I have always admired the 'Kadai' Indian fire bowls, but had never seen these amazing oversized ones....turned in to a cosy retreat....or beautifully planted up!

We certainly came home with many new ideas for the garden, and a boost of enthusiasm for new projects.

Did any of you go to 'Chelsea' this year or watch any of the inspiring TV coverage of it?  If so, did you have a favourite there?  I would love to hear!

Happy week ahead to you all,

Sophia xx