SEASONAL DECORATING INSPIRATION...

It is at this time of year that the Christmas Fairs are in full swing, and I always look forward to visiting one or two of them in late November to get in the festive spirit, find a few gifts which one wouldn't usually find on the high street, and to get some new interior inspiration and maybe add one or two new decorations to my collection here at home...

The Wealden Times Midwinter Fair, which is held in the beautiful setting of Bedgebury Pinetum, near to where I live in Kent is an absolute favourite.  Getting bigger and better each year, it now attracts visitors from far and wide.  

This year, I spent a wonderful day there with my daughter Georgie....always a treat to spend time together on one of her rare days off work, when visiting from London.  We make great shopping companions (much to the alarm sometimes of Mr. W!) and she will be brutally honest with me, especially when it comes to clothes shopping, which I don't mind...if our daughters can't advise then who can?!  Usually though we are completely on the same wavelength and as well as our love of clothes shopping, it is also a joy to find that she is just as passionate about beautiful interiors as myself, as well as a love of good food and cooking, which led her to a career as a Private Chef.

The fair also hosts a variety of fantastic food stands, and we enjoyed a delicious lunch from this innovative Italian food van called Chin Chin...perfect with a glass of Prosecco!

So distracted were we browsing all the beautiful stalls, that not many photos were taken, but as you can see, there was quite a recurring theme of silver and white...always a favourite...

...and interesting and unusual vintage pieces.

This lovely tiered tealight holder made its way home with me...

So nice to find something a little different and original....  

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Do any of you have a favourite Christmas Fair you like to visit at this time of year?

I would love to hear!

Sophia xx

Christmas warmth and sparkle...

FESTIVE WHITES....
with a touch of sparkle and gold on my wishlist!

With Christmas just a little over six weeks away, my thoughts now turn to making list....gifts for family and friends, new recipe ideas, and of course my favourite...home decor. 

 I absolutely love decorating the house for the month of December.   Keeping it simple in my favourite tones of white and cream, and not too overdone, but with our two trees, a sprinkling of fairy lights, extra candles and votives, some favourite seasonal accessories and plenty of bulbs and fresh flowers, the house feels warm and magical and ready to welcome the family home.

Each year, I also love to see what's new, whether for myself or others, and here is a peek at some of the things that have caught my eye....

To start the month of December off, how charming is this wooden advent house from Gisella Graham?  With 24 little draws, what child or grown up for that matter, wouldn't love to find a small present or sweet treat inside each day on the countdown to the big day itself.

My personal preference for our home here in the Kent countryside is for a real tree, especially with a wonderful Christmas tree farm right on our doorstep, but if you can't face all the watering and the inevitable eventual needle drop, then this magnificent top quality artificial tree from House of Fraser (click for link) is your answer.  Artificial trees have come a long way in recent years, and almost hard to tell from the real thing!

Throws and cushions are essential for cosying up on the sofa with on cold Winter evenings and it's always nice to add a few new seasonal touches. I particularly love the texture of good faux fur to the touch.  Important also is for our homes to always smell good...this gorgeous 'Christmas wish' three-wicked candle from favourite organic brand Neom, will scent the air with a delicious aroma of mandarin, cinnamon and tonic bean.

Each year I like to add a little something new to our collection of tree decorations or something lovely for the table or mantlepiece. This rather splendid deer with fur ruff from Harrods would be perfect....and I love these delicate jewelled hanging snowflakes and glass baubles.  The latter can be personalised, which I think would be just perfect as table settings this year, with the names of each of our guests on.  They would make a lovely little memory to take home too.

Lastly, no Christmas decor would be complete without a beautiful wreath for the front door or perhaps on a mantle or used as a centrepiece for your Christmas table.  This lovely seasonal wreath from Oka is made of twigs covered in tiny white beads.  Simple and lovely. 

Happy countdown to the big day, and if any of these lovely items have caught your eye too, you can click on the images above....happy shopping!


Sophia xx