Sophia Home: London

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Saturday, 19 December 2015

SKATE NIGHT.....'EN FAMILLE'!

PHOTO: SOPHIA HOME: SOMERSET HOUSE

Beautiful 'Somerset House' in the heart of central London was the perfect festive backdrop to a fun family evening out last night.

This beautiful Neoclassical building, designed by Sir William Chambers in 1776, is arranged around a central courtyard. It is a major cultural centre, hosting contemporary art and design exhibitions and events. Summer finds the courtyard dancing with 55 fountains, but in winter this is transformed in to a beautiful ice rink.

Last year, this wonderful Christmas 'must do' in town was sponsored and decorated by the ever stylish Tiffany's, but this year, it was sponsored by our great London institution 'Fortnum & Mason'.

Although all our children will be home in Kent from London next week for Christmas, we wanted to have a pre Christmas evening out in town with them all plus their lovely 'other halves'. Skating seemed like a particularly fun and festive thing to do, especially as when night falls, the day time skating changes and the rink hosts 'Club nights' with the sounds from some of the best international DJs, clubs and record labels. With a cocktail or two in the Botanical Bar in the 'Fortnums Lodge' or the Skate lounge with views over the rink...it makes a great night out!

With such a fun atmosphere, a vast spectacular Christmas tree and twinkling lights aplenty, and everyone in good spirits, we left feeling very 'Christmassy' indeed....as for this morning....well a few stiff muscles and bruises from a rather spectacular fall by 'yours truly', but definitely keen to make this a new family tradition!

With skating continuing until 10th January, you are not too late to book tickets.....Somerset House (click on link)

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Wishing you a very happy weekend!

Sophia xxx

Thursday, 27 August 2015

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

Tuesday, 26 May 2015

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

Thursday, 15 May 2014

LOOKING FORWARD TO...

...OUTDOOR LIVING!

ALL PHOTOS: SOPHIA HOME

Sunshine, blue skies and temperatures set to be pretty good here in the UK this weekend….could this be the start of summer? After a busy week so far, I am looking forward to a relaxed and sociable weekend ahead, and spending as much time as possible outside.

The last week has flown by (sorry to my regular readers for lack of blog posts!) with a fabulous 30 year school reunion in London last Saturday night….a very special evening being reunited with some great friends from the past, many of whom I hadn't seen for all this time. It is funny how a common bond can bring friendships back together again, and the years just disappear and you pick up where you left off? A happy event!

In amongst design projects, it was back up to town yesterday for the 'Spirit of Summer Fair' at Olympia, for some fantastic design inspiration and of course, a little retail therapy with a daughter who has great stamina for these things! Phew….always love and need my regular London fixes, but after a long day on the hoof, I am always pleased to get back to the clean, calm, peace of our little slice of rural Kent and relax!