BABINGTON HOUSE – A LUXURY ENGLISH COUNTRY RETREAT

21 November 2013

Classically elegant proportions, understated and sophisticated but yet approachable and friendly.

Yes, that is a fair description of me and my character 😉 but no, we are talking about Babington House today.
A private members’ club, hotel and spa set in 18 acres of glorious English countryside just outside the beautiful Georgian town of Bath.

The setting could be straight out of a period drama but it’s modern comforts make it universally appealing. The styling is deliberately individual for each of the rooms and ranges from Downton Abbey dramatic in the main house to simple chic and rustic in the stable block. All with a feel of luxury and quality to the chosen fabrics, furniture and fittings.

Babington House opened in 1998 as a country retreat for the members of Soho House, a private members’ club for those in the film, media and creative industries. But don’t worry even non media luvies can book a stay and rub shoulders with the rich and famous.

To stay on top of their game the boutique hotel has recently been updated and now includes details such as abaca rugs, polished oak flooring, antique tiles and hand painted wallpaper, sitting alongside reclaimed dressers and vintage wardrobes to create a warm, charming ambiance.

I love the bright turquoise colour palette in the bar area set against soft pinks and oranges. The walls are adorned with artwork, including pieces by Tracey Emin, Polly Morgan, David Salle and Paul McDevitt, which draw reference to Babington’s country-side surroundings.

One of the main attractions is the now world famous Cowshed Spa which originated in the grounds. The use of honest and natural products, made in England using the very best organic plant extracts and essential oils is still at the heart of the Cowshed philosophy and gives each treatment an added dimension and feel good factor.

A friend of mine who visits regularly (yes, I have posh friends!) tells me treatments are some of the most indulgent and heavenly experiences you can have.

Oh, how I’d love to scrub, soak, mud and unwind – just like any posh cow.

Enjoy and I hope you’re inspired!

More information | Babington House

Travel & Places / 2 COMMENTS /

BRAND NOSTALGIA WITH MERCHANT AND MILLS

20 November 2013

Continuing with my quintessentially English theme today I’d like to introduce you to fine graphic artist and gentleman Roderick Field. Brand creator and designer for the Merchant and Mills Sewing Company and all round good egg. A chap who by his own admission is troubled by the daily pitfalls of communicating ideas and sometimes uses words and pictures together.

I found him to be quite amusing when communicating via electronic mail and wanted you to see for yourself what a marvellous brand he created for this nostalgic company. Based in Rye, East Sussex, the shop sets you back in time and is a treasure trove for all things sewing related, offering fabrics, patterns and courses along with beautiful stationery and exquisite oil cloth duffle bags and totes.

As previously mentioned Roderick is quite good with words so I’ll let him explain his thinking behind the design and branding.

The Merchant & Mills brand is where my photography and writing first merged to make coveted packaging for our sewing company. It is the answer to a question; if Merchant & Mills were packaging, what would it look like?

As it turns out, it is stark black and white in a crumbling font with some simple, sketchy images and the occasional daring splash of deep red. Who knew?

If, like me, you’re excited by what you’ve read and seen please frequent his gallery where you’ll find more pleasing, even funny ideas by this thoroughly modern gentleman.

And last but not least let me mention that such is the quality of the Merchant & Mills products they are now available in the V&A shop, Liberty and a host of retailers worldwide.

How splendid with the Yuletide festivities just around the corner!

Enjoy and I hope you’re inspired!

More information | Merchant & Mills
Design & photography | Roderick Field

Design & Illustration / LEAVE A COMMENT /

ENGLISH COUNTRY LIVING MOODBOARD

19 November 2013

It’s a lovely sunny cold and crisp autumn day in London and I’m wearing a cozy grey polo neck sweater, hugging my morning tea and think I might even make myself a hot water bottle for my feet. Brrr… is it cold where you are?

These autumnal days always make me want to go for long country walks in wellies, woolly coat and with a huge scarf I can pull up to my ears. Getting ever so slightly lost on the way and usually stuck in the mud or having my jeans ripped when climbing a fence.

Somehow having the cobwebs blown away and battling the elements makes me feel that I’ve earned my seat next to the roaring fire as well as my second helping to some decadently rich pudding. On a day like today, english country living can be very rewarding and make you feel utterly wholesome – rosy cheeks and halo included.

After this preamble I feel the need for a mood board to give my humble writing some context and to bring autumnal living in the gorgeous english countryside to life.

All to be enjoyed with the customary Stylejuicer cup of tea.

Enjoy and I hope you’re inspired!

Credits | I’d like to give credit to all the photographers and designers whose work is featured on this board. Sadly, most of the originators can’t be identified anymore so if you recognise your work here please email me and I’ll happily credit you and add your link.

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TOAST MENSWEAR IS NOURISHING YOU THIS AUTUMN WINTER

14 November 2013

A double helping of Toast this week on Stylejuicer and it’s menswear’s turn today.

Food is hip, right!? Jamie Oliver’s passion has resonated with the most listless person and by now we all get it: We are what we eat!

Nutrition is important and has become a conversation point along with house prices and choice of schools. We read more cook books than ever and cooking shows like The Great British Bake Off are no longer a guilty pleasure but something to be watched with friends and celebrated. We care about food miles and strive to buy local produce, ideally organic or fair trade and enjoy our Saturday mornings at farmers markets.

Going out to dinner has never been this exciting with new places opening up every week and an endless choice from swanky Michelin star to authentic seasonal cuisine to rustic pub food and organic cafes. We are obsessed with food and we love it!

What a great angle therefore for a fashion brand who are equally enthusiastic about their garments to associate the two – which is exactly what Toast has done with their menswear AW2013 collection. The chosen twelve models are not professional models at all but people like you and me photographed by the marvellous Neil Gavin and styled by David Lamb.

Not exactly a new idea you might say, but they are also UK-based and involved with food in one way or another. They are not just achingly cool but passionate about their work and each individual story gives the collection an added sense of credibility and authenticity.

I love the fact that Toast has chosen to include women in their menswear catalogue which works surprisingly well as you’re absorbed by the individual stories and don’t even notice this oddity.

Enjoy and support these incredibly hard working individuals below representing the classic and stylish collection in a simple and unpretentious way. Authenticity rocks right now!

STEVE BENBROW | The London Honey Company

KATHERINE MAY | Textile Artist / Fern Verrow

OLE HANSEN | Hansen & Lydersen

JANE SCOTTER | Fern Verrow

JEREMY LEE | Quo Vadis

JARED BROWN | Sipsmith

THOMASINA MIERS | An Englishwoman in love with Mexico

ALEX GUARNERI | Androuet

ALYS FOWLER | Food Grower

TOM OLDROYD | Polpo

RACHEL KHOO | Little Paris Kitchen

MARTIN HARDIMAN | The Little Bread Pedlar

Enjoy and I hope you’re inspired!

More information | TOAST
Photography | Neil Gavin
Styling | David Lamb

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FOOD HEAVEN | APPLE CARDAMOM CAKE

13 November 2013

This recipe fits right in with the autumnal weather at the moment making me crave comfort foods and hot drinks as if I’m about to hibernate. Ah, hibernation what an appealing thought… sleep through winter and wake up refreshed and hungry when the days are getting longer and the temperatures are on the rise. Shame, I’m not a hedgehog.

But back to apple and cardamom – what a great flavour combination! I could almost smell the spices coming off the screen when I came across Helene Dujardin’s recipe on her blog Tartelette.

She’s a French expat living in Alabama and an exceptional cook, food stylist and photographer who loves to cook with fresh seasonal ingredients. An expert in her field she’s written a book on food photography, styling, lighting and techniques called Plate To Pixel and is a member of Martha’s Circle – a network of blogs chosen by Martha Stewarts editors. Great credentials but what I love most about her blog is the fact that she comes across as very natural and easy going sharing stories about her childhood and family.

Case in point is the featured apple cardamom cake recipe which has been passed on by her Grandma, Mamie Paulette, whom she says smelled of apples and vanilla. What a gorgeous combination!

I hope Helene doesn’t mind me adding just one of my favourite ingredients: a good portion of cream, whipped or runny, I really don’t mind. Oh, and a nice cup of tea of course!

APPLE CARDAMOM CAKE

Makes one 9-inch cake

INGREDIENTS:

10 Lady apples (or 2 to 3 regular sized apples)
1 cup yogurt (250ml)
1/2 cup sugar (100gr)
2 eggs
1/2 cup olive oil (120ml)
zest and juice of one lemon
2 cups regular flour (240gr)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 350F (180 degrees). Position a tray in the middle. Grease one 9-inch baking pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. Place the pan on a baking sheet. Set aside.

Peel, core and slice the apples very thin (a mandoline works great) and place them in a large bowl filled with water and lemon juice to prevent oxidation.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the yogurt, sugar and eggs until pale (takes about 2 minutes). Add the oil and lemon juice and mix until well blended. Add the flour mix, baking powder, cardamom and cinnamon and whisk about 50 strokes until the batter is smooth.

Pour it into the prepared baking pan and position the apple slices (drained slightly) on top.
Bake for about 30-40 minutes until a knife inserted in the middle comes free of raw batter.

Enjoy and I hope you’re inspired!

More information | Tartelette
Photography | Helene Dujardin

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