TOPIARY HEAVEN.


When faced with a blank canvas for a garden five years ago, we could not wait to inject some style and beauty in to what was quite frankly, a disaster area!  There had been no garden on the former equestrian site, and our house build had left the surrounding two acres of land, designated for a garden, looking like a bomb site with mountains of mud, rubble and broken glass........it could not have looked more far removed from the dream that we had for it!

Having put so much hard work, patience and love in to our new home - the garden deserved the same treatment.  So started the long arduous process of landscaping.......

I am fortunate to have a husband who loves nothing better than to toil for hours on end cutting trees, clearing, digging and the back breaking job of shifting tons of earth and mud.  He sees it as 'therapy' or at least a good healthy contrast to his business orientated day job.  I admit that I don't quite have his stamina (not many do!) and am more an ideas person (!) but even I have put in many hours of back breaking work, trying to transform our much loved outdoor space.  Although gardens are never really ever complete and are always evolving, we now feel that we are on the homeward straight.  The 'bones' of our designs are almost complete and we just now need to wait for 'nature' to do her thing and make everything grow!

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Topiary was always going to feature in this new garden, particularly the formality of box hedging which we love.  It seemed fitting and natural to want to create something so in contrast to the former disaster area.......the problem is, it is addictive.......what started as a plan for just one side of the garden, has gradually grown and every time we complete a new area, yes you've guessed it, we plant more! Without it, our schemes seem lacking.....unfinished.....like a sentence without a 'full stop'.  Yes, each June when it comes to trimming all this box hedging, we shall with sore backs and cramped hands,  question our crazy topiary addiction......but when we look back and admire, it will be with a smile and satisfaction, that we have created something that brings us so much pleasure.

I shall leave you with some beautiful images of topiary.....from the simple to the wildly over the top!  Enjoy.......

All images via: Pinterest

Hope you are having a happy Wednesday?

Sophia xx

THE BELGIAN DINING ROOM

All pictures via: Pinterest

                    

Monday evening, and what a busy day it has been!  I had a mountain of accounts and paperwork to get through......so it's been fun, fun fun! Good to feel on top of things though....

This morning, instead of punishing myself by going straight to my desk, I started the day very early with a 'Body Combat' class.......yes, readers of a post earlier this year will remember that I have embraced a fairly full on fitness regime.....and am pleased to report that I am

sticking with it!  They say that it takes eight weeks to make something a habit, and it is true for me.  I feel stronger, healthier and more energetic than ever and am also having a lot of fun.   Perhaps dare I say.......a little addicted too?!

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Hope you like the beautiful images above of Belgian 'Dining Room' interiors - a style that I love.

I adore the subtle, understated use of colour and beautiful contrasts of texture.

Do you have a favourite amongst these?  I would love to know.

Wishing you a happy and productive week ahead...

Sophia xx

THE PERFECT START TO THE WEEKEND!

Good morning!  I do hope you are all having a great start to your weekend?  Mine started perfectly last night.......We went over to my mother and her husband for a delicious dinner.  Expecting it to be just the four of us, she announced that she had two mystery extra guests?  What a lovely surprise when we realised that those two mystery guests were our sons!  We are an incredibly close family, but naturally they are now both busy with their young adult lives, living and working in London and it is not always easy to all get together quite as often as we would like.  My mother (whom they adore) had hatched the plan and bless them, they had cancelled their busy social lives to come down to the country at short notice for what was an extremely fun and entertaining family dinner, and to stay at home for the night..............Result?.......'Happy Mummy'......'Happy Grandmother'!  We just wish our daughter, who regular readers will know is working as a Private Chef in the French Alps, was home too...........roll on April for her return!

So, a happy and lazy start to the weekend today with cooked breakfast for hungry sons before they return to London, and no urgent plans.......a bit of a luxury.  

Second lovely surprise so far this weekend, was the postman delivering a parcel, which turned out to be the very generous 'book giveaway' by American blogger Debby Steel, which I recently won!  For any of you who have not visited Debby's beautifully stylish blog 'Inspired Design', I would urge you to make a visit!  Debby also designs beautiful blog layouts for anyone wishing to have help with this.  

The book that Debby has so kindly sent me is 'Romantic Style' by Selina Lake and Sara Norrman, with stunning photography by Debi Treloar.  If you adore romantic, elegant interiors, filled with soft colours, vintage finds, flowers and candles, then this is a fabulous feast for the eyes.  

The weather is freezing outside this weekend, so I think you will find me curled up on the sofa in front of the fire this afternoon with a big cup of tea, reading and dreaming about romantic interiors.

I shall leave you with a taste of this gorgeous book......

All photos: Romantic Style



Wishing you all a happy and relaxing weekend!

Sophia xx

A BATH IN THE BEDROOM?

When we designed and built our home a few years ago, we decided to incorporate our Master bedroom and en-suite bathroom.  This open plan design partly designed itself because not only did we have to be inventive with space to fit the number of bedrooms and bathrooms we required, but also because we didn't want to alter the shape of the stunning vaulted roof space in this particular area.  As well as this, I loved the idea of introducing a little decadent 'boutique hotel' style to the room.....!

 We built in a double height set of french doors/windows, and the thought of lying in the bath, taking in the lovely view seemed a romantic ideal - particularly in the summer with the doors open to the 'Juliet balcony'.  

I have designed and overseen the installation of many bathrooms over the years for clients, but never an open plan bedroom/bathroom arrangement.......so when it came to my own, this was my chance.  

The concept certainly seemed to meet differing reactions......Most visitors who wanted the 'grand tour' after we first completed our house build said 'Wow..... cool to have a bath in your bedroom!'

Others were reserved and tried to hide their shock......asking hesitantly but politely where the 'loo' was?  They looked a little happier when I said it was just around the corner behind the wall, along with the walk in shower.....we are all different and must live with what we feel comfortable and happy with!

Above Photos: Sophia Home: Master bedroom

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                       Images via: Pinterest

                              

So, what I want to know is......What do you think about a bath in the bedroom?  Does it appeal to you or are you strictly a behind closed doors bathroom person?  I would love to know.....!

Hope your week is going well.

Sophia xx

BEAUTIFUL HONFLEUR......

Honfleur Harbour

If you happen to be in Normandy in the forthcoming future,  I would urge you to make a visit to the picturesque port of Honfleur.  A small maritime city, which has managed to preserve the traces of a rich historical past - it is no surprise that it is one of the most visited towns in France.  I would therefore advise that you visit in the Spring/early Summer or early Autumn to avoid the crowds....

With its wealth of historical old timber buildings, paved streets, pretty boutiques and art galleries and tempting array of restaurants, it is the perfect place for a weekend away, which is what we did last September, en route to Paris.

'Les Maisons de Lea'

We stayed in the Place Sainte Catherine, in a fabulously restored former Merchant's House which is now the 'Hotel Les Maisons de Lea'.  Such a comfortable and peaceful retreat a few streets away from the bustling harbour, with lovely attention to detail. We had a particularly charming room - very French in its 'Toile de Jouey' style, with gorgeous crisp bedding and thoughtful touches throughout.  Relaxed and delicious breakfasts, surrounded by candles in the pretty dining-room were a highlight.

Sainte Catherine's Church

 Place Sainte Catherine is known for its unique wooden church, the largest in France, originally built by  ship carpenters in the XVth/XVIth Centuries.

A favourite white flower filled courtyard....

Cobbled streets give way to numerous pretty courtyards such as this one, with its profusion of stunning flowers and topiary.  

Pretty timber fronted houses down historical paved back streets......

A little Normandy gem, which is definitely worth a visit,  should you find yourself in this delightful part of North West France.

Bon journée.......

Sophia xx

DELICIOUS DUCK RECIPE TO SHARE....

Photos: Sophia Home


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I am a great fan of Australian chef Bill Granger, and have several of his beautiful cookery books.  Full of simple, uncomplicated recipes - using delicious, fresh quality ingredients.  With inspirational photography, I gather that Bill does much of his own food styling.

His style is very much suited to the Australian healthy outdoors climate and I particularly love his seafood recipes.  This particular dish, that I cooked over the weekend, is from his book 'Holiday' and is slightly more hearty than his usual style.  If you love duck, then I would certainly recommend that you give this a go........it was delicious, and went down a treat in our house!

DUCK CASSEROLE WITH GREEN OLIVES AND ORANGE GREMOLATA

Serves 4

4 Duck Marylands (Leg and Thigh)

Sea Salt

Freshly ground black pepper

2 teaspoons Olive Oil

150g Pancetta, diced

1 Onion, finely chopped

2 Celery stalks, diced

1 Carrot, diced

2 Garlic cloves, very thinly sliced

2 teaspoons Fennel seeds, lightly crushed

250ml White Wine

400g Tin chopped Tomatoes

500ml Chicken Stock

175g Pitted large green Olives

ORANGE GREMOLATA

2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf Parsley

2 teaspoons finely grated Orange zest

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Preheat the oven to 220C.  Put the duck on a large baking tray and season well.  Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown, then remove.  Reduce the oven to 160C.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large flameproof casserole over medium heat.  Add the pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes until crisp.  Add the onion, celery, carrot, garlic and fennel seeds and cook, stirring occasionally, for 6-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened. Add the browned duck pieces and the olives.  Bring to the boil then put the lid on the casserole and cook in the oven for 1.5 hours, or until the meat is very tender.  Spoon off any excess fat from the surface.

To make the gremolata, mix together the parsley and orange zest.  Sprinkle over the casserole and serve with Bill's suggestion of soft polenta.  I used rice to accompany the duck and I think mashed potatoes would work equally well too.

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I hope you enjoy!

Sophia xx

BLUE SKY SUNDAY.......

This morning we woke to beautiful blue sky and sunshine! With a light frost still on the ground, it was stunning in our little part of rural Kent.

With camera in hand, I rushed out in to the garden to quickly capture some images, before the magic of the early morning light and atmosphere was gone........

All photos: Sophia Home

 

All photos: Sophia Home

Wishing you all a happy and hopefully 'Blue Sky Sunday'..........

Sophia xx

     HAPPY FRIDAY...!

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I do hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day yesterday.......?

Whether it was romantic or not, hope it was a happy one!

My lovely husband took me to Brighton for a delicious lunch, and then we spent a fascinating couple of hours at the beautifully restored Royal Pavillion.  For anyone who has not visited this opulent extravaganza of a palace, first commissioned by King George IV as a seaside retreat in 1786, and designed over the years by a variety of architects - most notably John Nash and Henry Holland - it is well worth a visit.  Lavish 'chinoiserie' interiors and extravagance throughout - a real feast to the eyes.

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A busy day today, catching up with work and projects.  Looking forward to visiting 'The Listed Property Show' at London, Olympia tomorrow, which is an inspiring and informative event for listed home owners and industry professionals alike. Especially interesting for me this year, as my sister Ellen who is a 

 'House Historian' shall be speaking to an audience about her fascinating work.  I look forward to telling you all about 

how the show went.....

The sun is trying to come out here today which is a cheery sight. I shall leave you with some gorgeous images of tulips, my very favourite spring flower, to brighten the day........


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All images via: Pinterest

Happy Friday!

Sophia xx