November 6, 2017
Image: Design Soda
/
It’s November already, there’s a distinct chill in the air, Halloween and fireworks night are out of the way, which can only mean one thing C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S!! There see I broke the word up so we wouldn’t all shudder at it’s early appearance so soon. I know it seems early, right? Read More
December 16, 2016
Image: Design Soda
.
In just over a week Christmas will be done and dusted, you will have opened your presents, heard one relatives comic story about another 20 times already, rescued other people’s presents from your wayward toddler, endured at least one awkward silence (is all of this just me?) and hopefully had a jolly good time in the process. If you’re hosting, you may be blissfully thankful to reach Boxing Day with its traditional walk (which I can never make out whether it’s tradition to blow the cobwebs away before the new year or a chance to put pacing distance between yourself and certain relatives!) either way, you may, like me, be looking forward to settling down to watch the new Agatha Christie romp the BBC are putting on with a hard earned drink in hand come the evening of Boxing Day. Whether it be Christmas party visitors, Christmas Day drinks, Boxing Day therapy or even New Years drinks, I think I’ve got you covered for cocktails! Here, below, are my 5 favourite mixers at this time of year, they are all tried and tested by me, some I’ve been doing for years (Nigella’s Pomegranate Bellini is a Christmas Day non-negotiable in the Design Soda house). None of these recipes are original, but rather a selection of ones I’ve tried and love, go forth and pour yourself a drink, they really are lovely.
.
Image: Design Soda
.
December 12, 2016
.
Image: Design Soda
.
Christmas gives you a special licence to be a bit naff, a bit bold, or a bit twee in the style stakes, right?! I was born in 1981 so I’m a true child of the eighties. This means that trees with coloured lights, coloured tinsel and boiled wool or pink plastic are all things that press my Christmas buttons (though you can keep the hanging swathes of cards as decorations). There’s a byline quote on designer Jonathan Adler’s Twitter account which I think suits my approach to Christmas rather well – “build a timelessly chic foundation and accessorize with abandon”! Absolutely.
.
December 9, 2016
Dan asked me recently if I’d made a Christmas wishlist, which was his less than subtle way of telling me that he’d made one himself! Well, asides from the thousands of items I’m coveting on secret Pinterest boards, I have compiled a list, and it’s just 2 short of 50 items! I’ve chosen quite a lot of modern & minimalist pieces with a Scandi vibe, which are perfect after all the extravagance of Christmas, January will be all about pared back glamour here. I’ve tried to cover a price range, there are 3 items over a hundred pounds (all in the first list), three under a fiver and the majority hover somewhere around the £50 mark. Actually we don’t take Christmas very seriously around here present wise and quite often play a game of best present from the pound store but a girl can dream! As I am a generous sort, I’m also throwing it out on the blog today as a veritable gift guide for anyone stuck for present ideas for home-mad-design-lovers (and not least because I know my husband will actually be able to find this list!). So, if you know a suitable recipient (Me! Me! Me!) someone crazy about design or interiors walk this way my friend, I have four lists, one for general home beauties, one for Kitchenalia, one for office based pretties and bathroom indulgences, God I hope Santa thinks I’ve been good this year! Read More
December 5, 2016
Image: Design Soda
.
So everyone (well I say everyone, I mean interiors bloggers) seems to be doing these posts on winter dining this year, they have all been a real feast for the eyes and showcased each particular bloggers personal style, I particularly liked this lush example from San Francisco based blogger Apartment 34 and Will from Bright Bazaar‘s Holiday decorating on a budget, plus I can see blogger buddies Patricia from No Glitter, No Glory & Jenny from Seasons in Colour have some real magic planned from their Instagram feeds soon. Well, the Design Soda house likes a party as much as the rest of the world, and as we had friends coming over for lunch this weekend (who haven’t been here together since we moved) I thought I’d push the boat out a little and practice my Christmas table styling.
.
.
Image: Design Soda
.