Tuesday 30 December 2014

TWO GREAT POST CHRISTMAS READS...

PICTURES 'SOPHIA HOME'


 The house feels unusually quiet today....with the children back in London and my husband back at work for a couple of days... the fun, noise and laughter of our very happy Christmas is sadly over.   All good things have to come to an end of course, and make us appreciate celebrations and the people we love all the more.


The silver lining is that I am also the type of person who enjoys time on my own to potter about and I just love this wonderful 'limbo' time, between Christmas and New Year!  The world is still in part hibernation and I am fortunate that there is no hectic work agenda for me.  The weather has been glorious here in Kent, with crisp frosty mornings and cold sunny days.  Walking the  dogs, catching up with your lovely blogs and getting the house back to normal have been so enjoyable.  I have also been taking the time to enjoy two fabulous new books that I received for Christmas, that I would love to share with you.

The first is 'Hemsley Hemsley - The Art of Eating Well', written by glamorous sisters Jasmine and Melissa Hemsley.  The foodie in me has enjoyed the Hemsley sisters' wonderful blog for some time, so I was thrilled to be given this book by my daughter Georgie (who as a chef loves to give 'foodie' presents!).  Just perfect for an uber healthy start to the year, this lovely book is packed with over 150 exciting, inventive and nutrient packed recipes.....I am totally inspired and starting tonight, I can't wait to get cooking lighter, fresher meals, after the delicious but rather indulgent treats over the last week!

The second book I am loving, was given to me by my eldest son Teddy.....he knows how much his mother loves to travel, as do we all, so 
'The New York Times 36 Hours - 125 Weekends in Europe' 
could not have been more perfect!

Taking 125 European destinations, it is packed with top tips and suggestions for the best things to do, to make the most of 36 hours in each City. It is a great 'Taschen' publication, following the New York Times' popular newspaper column of the same name.  Already I have wonderlust and am dreaming of our next trip away....along with some well known destinations high up on my wish list, it gives a real insight in to ideas for lesser thought of destinations.  Highly recommended, and like all Taschen publications, a beautiful book.

Two great reads that satisfy the foodie and traveller in me....perfect to cuddle up with on the sofa with a hot cup of tea....in my case, the delicious new discovery of 
'Taylor's 'Sweet Rhubarb' which again is highly recommended!




Who can believe that tomorrow is the last day of the year?  The last twelve months have flown past and have been particularly fulfilling for me.  Inspiring interior projects with lovely new clients, some exciting and memorable travel, happy celebrations with family and friends, and enjoyable projects here at home and in our developing garden.  I have so enjoyed sharing these with you, and I would like to thank each and every one of you lovely readers from all over the world, so much for reading me, and for your generous and positive feedback and kind words.... 'Sophia Home' would not exist or certainly would not be the same without you!  I look forward to sharing more with you on the blog in the coming year....

I wish you all a very, very happy, inspiring and above all, healthy 2015!   

With lots of love,

Sophia xx



Tuesday 23 December 2014


FROM MY HOME TO YOURS…


Like most good things in life….





It is the anticipation that is the best!



With no manic 'shopping agenda' left to do…it was a joy to nip up to London yesterday to meet up with the 'children' for lunch and just potter about, enjoying the beautiful lights around Sloane Square and Duke of York Square as it grew dark.  A day to just enjoy the anticipation….


With our big day tomorrow on Christmas Eve, Scandinavian style, we shall all be together as a family to go to church, open presents and have a special dinner.  Christmas Day will be English style, with Turkey and all the trimmings and my mother and sister and nephews joining us.  The 'Swenglish' Christmas that we love!













With much cooking to get ahead with today, I must dash, but leave you all with my special Christmas wishes…..to have a wonderful time with your families and friends.  May you all have a happy, healthy, relaxed, stress free (hey, it's only a 'glorified Sunday lunch' I tell myself?!) and special Christmas, whatever you have planned.







Thank you so much for reading 'Sophia Home' this  past year….it has been so much fun sharing things that inspire me with you all, and to getting to know many of you…thank you so much for your friendship and support!



So, from my home to yours….Happy happy Christmas….and as we say in Sweden, God Jul!

I look forward to seeing you all very soon!

Sophia xx


Instagram @sophiahomelifestyle
www.sophiawadsworthinteriors.co.uk

Monday 15 December 2014

A PRE CHRISTMAS SMORGASBORD!


PHOTOS: SOPHIA HOME


Good morning!
I do hope you have all had a happy weekend?
Ours has been a very special weekend all round!
On Friday we attended the most romantic and beautiful of family weddings in London….a lovely celebration of marriage and quite a party, with a wonderful feast and much dancing!

Although a little weary the next day, it was a dash back home to Kent so we could prepare for a special evening with our children, along with our eldest son's girlfriend, daughter's boyfriend and youngest son's best friend and of course my Swedish mother, without whom no 'Smorgasbord' would be complete!





One of the highlights of Christmas each year, is to prepare our traditional Scandinavian feast….a little earlier this year, as usually this is on Christmas Eve, but a lovely opportunity to introduce our guests to this favourite family celebratory meal and of course, the optional schnapps but compulsory singing!


Ham, meatballs, herring and 'Jahnsen's temptation' potato gratin are the highlight of the Smorgasbord, along with red cabbage, beetroot, cheeses and other delicious treats….








With the table set and candles lit…







 I felt so happy to have all my family and their lovely friends around me...




And I can report….that with song sheets in hand, and my dear mother leading the charge, and of course, a glass of schnapps or two, they all embraced the singing with gusto!

***

Wishing you all a very happy week!

Sophia xx

Wednesday 10 December 2014


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!

***

Enjoy the rest of your week…

Sophia xx

Saturday 6 December 2014

FROM ME TO YOU….

PHOTOS: SOPHIA HOME





…..wishing you all a very happy weekend, and enjoy your festive preparations!

Sophia xx