Outdoor Furniture for a Modern Scandi Garden

It’s true that outdoor furniture has a bit of a reputation for being outdated and plastic-y. A far cry from its indoor cousin, it might be down to the fact that we use it seasonally here in the UK, in between ducking rain showers. But as our gardens are beginning to evolve into outdoor living spaces, brands are catching up. As I'm always so good to you, I’ve put aside our house renovations to pick out five brands with collections that suit a modern Scandi garden. Think clean lines with a crafted feel to compliment contemporary planting, perhaps a gravel garden with black fencing and architectural planting. A space that remains both timeless and a place to spend time in. Furniture made with honest materials. In short, exactly what I’m working towards with my own garden!

Rowen and Wren

What I love about Rowen and Wren is their keen eye for beautifully crafted, simple homewares that sit comfortably in just about any setting. I've honed in on two of their functional, wooden collections which illustrate just that.Made from sustainable teak, the Byron bench bridges the gap between indoors and out. With its smooth, curved back it makes an ideal spot for that morning coffee, perhaps with a cushion on the seat. It's a versatile addition to have at the table too - keep it indoors in the winter and bring it outside with the warmer months.Drawing on the slatted wood trend, the Harman collection has coastal appeal with its combination of wood and rope. Effortlessly stylish, the table and benches are perfect for impromptu gatherings in the garden and come in oiled grey or black. There's also scope to mix and match your garden set-up with stools and chairs to compliment. I could see myself using the black bench in our hallway during the winter months, so much would it compliment a minimal interior.

Woud

As I recently featured the indoor side of Danish brand Woud's collection, it made sense to explore their outdoor furniture here.Designed by Fasting & Rolff,  the Ray collection is a light and modern interpretation of French cafe furniture. Made from aluminium with steel inside the tubes to give it weight, it also comes in a light blue and rose pink (though obviously, I'm more partial to the black and white!) Its minimal curves bring a contemporary feel to any garden and grooves in the seat cast playful shadows underneath. You can also choose to include armrests on the Ray Chair and Bench too which in my eyes makes it a striking and versatile collection for a modern Scandi garden space.

Garden Trading

You can always rely on Garden Trading for classic accessories for the garden. Although I'm familiar with their artisanal planters and tools, this is the first time I've sat up and taken note of their outdoor collection. And there are some real gems. Natural, sustainable materials such as cane and bamboo always look at home in the garden and the organic shape of the Hampstead bench is no exception. Made from woven, all-weather bamboo on a powder coated steel frame it would steal the show in a sunroom or as a focal point in your garden.Of course, the classic choice for alfresco dining is always the bistro table and chairs and the Rive Droite comes in a selection of colours - I love the clay, of course. And below, the Thurloe chair is a stand-alone design intended to be paired with other furniture. The matt dark grey and sleek armrests give it a contemporary look that also lends itself to a more rustic style.

Skagerak

Marrying quintessential Scandinavian style with contemporary materials, Skagerak's collection of garden furniture is vast. Literally, so many choices and they all compliment each other effortlessly. Freshen up your space with smaller details like the terracotta Edge pots or a By Your Side table. Play with a classic Overlap wooden table with meshed metal Mira chairs. Kick back in the high-backed Between Lines deck chair or seat the whole clan on the Tradition modular sofa. For smaller gardens, courtyards or balconies, the collection also includes foldable tables, stackable stools and Oeko-Tex certified outdoor cushions. I'll take the lot!

Mater

You know how much I love and support Mater in their endeavours to change the landscape of sustainable design. Founded with the environment in mind from the very beginning, this Danish brand focuses on circular design instead of throwing a piece away when it reaches the end of its life. All the components can be separated and recycled if and when the time comes.In what I think is their first foray into outdoor furniture, the Ocean collection reuses 960g of ocean plastic per chair. Although it looks wholly contemporary, the original model was actually designed in 1955 by Danish designer Nanna Ditzel. This updated, eco-conscious version also includes a table made from the same moulded plastic slats with a steel frame. So, not only does the Ocean collection bring long-lasting style into the garden, but it's also doing its bit by cleaning up the ocean. No wonder its winning awards!

[AD] WIN A Trip For Two To Copenhagen With Georg Jensen

This is a paid partnership with Georg Jensen.If you're a fan of Scandinavian culture, you'll know that Denmark boasts its fair share of that rich design history with Copenhagen its most famous city for nurturing some of the most revered designs in the world. A household name with over 100 years of silversmithing history, Georg Jensen continue this legacy with classic and contemporary style, making timeless pieces with integrity. I'm very pleased to be working with them throughout the year to share some of their beautiful collections and hopefully bring a sense of their heritage to you.But now - to the competition.  Do you want to travel more this year? Let Georg Jensen help to make it happen for you. Simply visit them in store for the chance to win a trip for two to Copenhagen. The winner will receive two return flights, one night stay in a hotel, dinner for two in one of Copenhagen’s most famous restaurants and a private tour of their iconic Georg Jensen Silversmithy.To Enter:  Visit one of their London stores, leave your contact details on one of their customer cards and cross your fingers! The winner will be chosen at random in a prize draw on the 28^th March 2019. Good luck! Terms and conditions apply.*

*Terms and Conditions.

The competition begins on 13th February 2019 and ends on 28th March 2019. To enter the competition you must be aged 18 or over and be a resident of Great Britain. Employees of Georg Jensen Ltd., its agents, contractors or retailers and anyone else connected with the promotion are not eligible to participate. By entering into this competition, your full name and city of residence may be published at www.georgjensen.com . There will be one winner only. The prize cannot be exchanged for monetary value. The prize must be redeemed in the year 2019. Georg Jensen Ltd. reserves the right to manage the booking of the airline, hotel and restaurant. No purchase is necessary to enter the competition. There is no limit to the number of entries a participant can enter. Georg Jensen Ltd. takes no responsibility for entries which are lost, delayed, misdirected, incomplete or cannot be delivered or entered for any technical or other reason. The competition cannot be entered online. The competition can only be entered in the Georg Jensen Mount Street, Georg Jensen Westfield, Georg Jensen Royal Exchange or Georg Jensen Selfridges store. Georg Jensen Ltd. will notify the winner by email on 29th March 2019. If the winner does not respond within 14 days of being notified, the winner’s prize will be forfeited and Georg Jensen will be entitled to select a new winner. The new winner will then have 14 days to respond once notified or they will also forfeit their price. If a winner rejects the prize, the winner’s prize will be forfeited and Georg Jensen Ltd. will be entitled to select another winner. The winner of this competition is entitled to bring one guest on the trip for two to Copenhagen with them and must obtain the consent of this person before providing their details (such as name, date of birth, passport number, and passport expiry and contact details) to Georg Jensen Ltd. Georg Jensen Ltd. accepts no responsibility for any damage, loss, liabilities, injury or disappointment incurred or suffered by you as a result of you entering the competition, accepting the prize or not being selected as the winner. The decision of Georg Jensen Ltd. in all matters under its control is final and binding. Georg Jensen Ltd. reserve the right at any time to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, the prize draw with or without prior notice due to reasons outside its control. Georg Jensen Ltd. shall not be held liable for any failure to comply with its obligations where the failure is caused by something outside its reasonable control – such circumstances shall include, but not be limited to, weather conditions, fire, flood, hurricane, strike, industrial dispute, war, hostilities, political unrest, riots, civil commotion, inevitable accidents, supervening legislation or any other circumstances amounting to force majeure. Georg Jensen Ltd. reserves the right to award an alternative prize of equal or greater value, should the advertised prize or any part of it become unavailable for any reason. The competition promoter is Georg Jensen Ltd. The competition will be governed by English Law. By participating in the competition you are deemed to have read and understood these terms and conditions and agree to be bound by them. If you breach any of the terms and conditions, you will be automatically disqualified from the competition.

Use of your personal data

By entering into competition, participants give consent to 1) Georg Jensen Ltd.’s collection and processing of their full name, e-mail address and/or phone number and city of residence and 2) to receive an invitation to become a member of My Georg Jensen. The collected personal data will be used for the competition administration purposes and for communication on advantages related to becoming a My Georg Jensen member and will be stored for a period of maximum 30 days after completion of the competition. Personal data of the winner and the guest will be processed for the booking administration purposes and will be deleted 6 months after the completed trip date. Once you have entered the competition, you will be invited to participate in the My Georg Jensen customer club. If you subsequently decide to become a member of My Georg Jensen, the processing of your personal data in relation to this will be subject to our Privacy Policy available at https://www.georgjensen.com/en-gb/privacy-policy and Terms of Membership, found here: https://www.georgjensen.com/en-gb/terms-of-membership. By entering into competition, participants consent to that his / her full name and city of residence can be published at https://www.georgjensen.com/en-gb.The participants can obtain information on Georg Jensen Ltd’s processing of their personal data or withdraw their consent by sending an e-mail to ukcustomerservice@georgjensen.com. ;

Photography: courtesy of Georg Jensen.

Simple Ideas For Natural Nordic Christmas Decorations

I know there are a few last-minute kindred spirits out there yet to even start on Christmas preparations. It's the same every year, I don't like to plan too far ahead or decorate too soon, it gets boring don't you think? This year, as with every year, we're keeping Christmas simple. I like fuss-free, minimal decorations which don't require a huge amount of effort. My simple tips for natural, Nordic Christmas style should keep you on the straight and narrow when the overwhelm gets...well, overwhelming.

Minimal Gift Wrap

I'm using plain, recyclable gift wrap in black and white, tying them with garden twine or burgundy satin ribbon. Plain kraft paper also looks beautiful and you can finish them with a sprig of fir tree for a seasonal look. To give my wrap a little extra something, I've picked seed heads on one of my walks and carefully secured them under the twine. I've used Old Man's Beard, a wild growing variety of Clematis which you'll find everywhere at this time of year.

Monochrome Table Decor With A Twist

Whereas last year I went for a moody, atmospheric Christmas table, this year calls for a brighter look. Following on from the monochrome gift wrapping, I've used a white linen tablecloth for the base along with our black plates and cutlery which gets used every day. I think food looks best on black or white plates, you really can't go wrong with classic dinnerware. Ultimately, when I've spent all that time cooking, I want a quick and simple look that I can bring to the table with a real sense of occasion. This took about 15 minutes, though you might like to get the cuttings ready in advance.Tip: Think about how you're going to use the table - will you be serving straight onto plates from the kitchen or leaving your guests to help themselves directly from the table? Which you choose will show you how much available space you have on the table to decorate. As I'm serving from the kitchen, I've left room for the centrepiece of candles.A set of gold coasters become a reflective base for off-white church candles, bringing Nordic Christmas style to the table. Nestled between them are cuttings of blue spruce, bought from my local florist, but you could also use cuttings from your own tree once you've shaped it.Simple, foraged details look extra special. These are 'samaras' from ash trees that I've painted gold and tucked into natural linen napkins. They continue a subtle touch of gold through from the centrepiece, which I love. Champagne coup glasses are ten a penny now, but I bought our 1940s set years ago when they were quite hard to find. They come out every year now and I love drinking from them, even though what you get in them equates to two mouthfuls!Even the mantlepieces get a little attention. Again I've used cuttings of spruce across the length and nestled in a trio of candlestick holders on one side. Things always look better styled in threes.And there we have it. My two cents worth of Nordic Christmas styling tips for this year. I hope my simple suggestions have sparked some activity in you for those last minute touches!Natural linen napkins, £6, Arket.Set of four Ripple glasses, £35, Ferm Living at Amara.Glattis gold coasters (used as candle bases) £3.75, IKEA.Fenomen set of 5 white block candles, £4.25, IKEA.Turini 16 piece black finish cutlery, £95, Habitat.Black dinner plates, £52 and £56 each for a set of four, Eva Solo.Givande black and white wrapping paper, £1.75 each, IKEA.Set of three Fulltalig black candlesticks, £9, IKEA.

Photography & Styling © Tiffany Grant-Riley

Shop Independent | A Gift Guide For Design Conscious Teens

A little delayed but I'm ready to present the first of my 'Shop Independent Christmas Gift Guides'. Yes, I'm making a point to support independents as much as possible, which shouldn't really be that hard. However, when the powers that be on Instagram asked for a round-up for teens, I may have winced a little. Not gonna lie. I literally have no idea what teens like these days. Hilariously, looking back at the things I wanted made me realise how much fashion has gone full circle. It's all about the 90s now (not that anything here reflects that). Doing a little research online and going deep underground (asking a real one) what I came up with was a little disheartening. Tech. And clothes. Which is obvious really, but when you're trying to source only from independent shops it becomes really tricky. So I had to look beyond the obvious to things you can't just get off the high street. Brands I've come to know, love and use myself. I think you'll agree, this a pretty darn good edit for the design conscious teen...| 1 | Soft, ambient bedroom lighting is key to any bedroom, these Light The Way festoon strings have copper LEDs wrapped inside the bulbs for a little extra twinkle. | The Forest & Co.| 2 | A mesmerising way to unwind, the Counterpoint Nature Mobile designed by Ole Flensted in 1970 remains in constant motion. | Eastern Biological.| 3 | For the perfume lover, learn how to layer up your own personal scent with the Blending Collection. Having taken one of their workshops earlier in the year, I can attest it's a fascinating and uniquely personal process. | Experimental Perfume Club.| 4 | No need to roll out of bed to charge your phone again. The Native Union Belt Cable has a 3m distance with a handy leather strap to keep tangles at bay. | i you all.| 5 | The Earl of East London journey began with its founders blending their soy wax candles on their kitchen table. Fast forward a few years and they now have a base in Hackney and at the new Coal Drop's Yard at King's Cross. 'Strand' travel candle draws influences from Copenhagen and its Baltic sea breezes | Earl of East London.| 6 | You'll know I'm a big fan of French brand la cerise sur le gāteau if you've seen their linens in our kitchen. I LOVE their sturdy cotton accessories, made in Portugal with designer Anne Hubert's quirky touches. Use the Pouch Cube as a pencil case, make-up bag - whatever. | la cerise sur le gāteau.| 7 | Made in Bethnal Green, founder and chocolatier Phil Landers sees Nicaraguan cocoa beans through the entire process to make award-winning LAND chocolate. LAND.| 8 | Quill is a stationery lover's dream where one's passions for paper can be indulged with a workshop or two. I loved this painterly set of notebooks designed by Norwegian brand, Darling Clementine. Of course. | Quill London.| 9 |  Independent menswear shop Coban is run by two brothers in Stoke Newington. Carry off the hipster fisherman look with a navy fisherman beanie, Life In Paradigm.  | Coban.| 10 | Coffee to go in a reusable bamboo black and white speckled cup, Madam Stoltz | Printer and Tailor. | 11 | An absolute design classic. The Anglepoise Type 75 mini desk lamp in slate grey is a timeless piece to last a lifetime. Indish.| 12 | Don't panic - this drink is non-alcoholic! 'Grove 42' by Seedlip is a citrus delight made from distilled botanicals and makes a grown-up alternative for all those festive toasts | Seedlip| 13 | A sweet gesture for the plant lover, the gold-plated Monstera Elpis necklace | A Weathered Penny|14 | I saw these in the flesh not long after their launch in summer and thought they were bloody brilliant. The Shorty Locker by Mustard makes an ideal bedside cabinet with 3 nifty shelves, or just for cramming in all the crap left on the floor. | Molly Meg.So how did I do? And do you have any more suggestions for gifts for teens this year?

[AD] A Stay At The Pilgrm Hotel In Paddington

My stay at The Pilgrm was a press stay in exchange for this post. There's no shortage of achingly cool new build hotels in London. It seems one opens up every month what with all the expansions happening across the city. There are few, however, that blend seamlessly into the history of a building with the finesse with which The Pilgrm does. And yes, that's Pilgrm, no 'i'. Not even a stone's throw from Paddington Station, this no-frills luxury hotel is ceiling-to-floor with custom built, reclaimed design.Cobalt blue tiles across the front of a groundfloor Workshop Coffee announce The Pilgrm as a meeting point, light streaming into the reception across a partially tiled floor. There's no traditional lobby here - that's the point. Instead, you're greeted inside the cafe and checked in quickly on an iPad. Walking in, you could be tricked into thinking that the building had always been this way - the grand mahogany staircase and wall mounted leather seats. Yet, The Pilgrm is a shining example of reclamation, renovation and innovation brought into being by Sheffield based architecture studio 93ft. What began life as a collection of Victorian buildings on Norfolk Square has been transformed into 73 bedrooms across a series of wings and multi-levels. A feeling of understated luxe runs through the interior; from original cornices in the rooms to 200-year-old reclaimed mahogany floorboards repurposed into headboards and wall panelling. There's something very 19th century Paris about it. Architectural salvage enhances the heritage of the building, in fact, the majority of the furniture was designed and produced by 93ft, fitting the hotel out with over 1,000 unique pieces. Somehow, this blend of old-new materials brings a well-worn feeling into a this recently launched building.

If you can be sustainable, why wouldn’t you? When it comes to interiors, a beautiful historic building gives us a history, we like to work with what’s already there, we don’t believe in throwaway culture”. - Tim Hubbard, 93ft

Rooms are split into Bunk, Small, Medium and Large each with a bijou black and white tiled shower room. Making the most of the available space, rooms are kitted out with custom mirror fronted hanging rails and metal bedside shelves. Ceiling lights are thankfully vetoed for sleek black wall lamps - so no banging your head in the smaller rooms. Elegant mid-grey walls contrast the white Egyptian cotton bedding and a Marshall Bluetooth speaker is very welcome for kicking back with your own playlist. Galvanised steel planters on the wall offer a homely, personal touch alongside unique pieces of art.

 Staying true to its mantra 'Everything you truly need, nothing you don't', you won't find mini-bars, trouser presses or tea and coffee making facilities in the rooms here. Should you need a cuppa first thing though, there are communal Pantry rooms on the landing of each floor, which I think is a thoughtful touch.For something more substantial though, the Lounge serves up a mean menu from 7am - 10pm. Exhausted at the end of a manic week covering LDF, the last thing we wanted to do was head back out to eat. Thankfully, staying in at The Pilgrm is definitely the new going out. Set amongst old-world glamour with its polished parquet floor is the green velvet banquette made for indulgent lounging. The dark green window behind it is yet another custom piece, which with its inset brass downlights I was surprised to learn it wasn't an original feature. 30 antique German cocktail chairs sourced and reupholstered by 93ft added to the charm of the room and were a welcome backdrop to our quiet dinner (and obligatory glass of Prosecco). If you're a breakfast person, I totally recommend the 'Pilgrm Continental', served on top of the marble bar featuring fresh pastries, homemade yoghurts and other locally sourced delights. Weekend rates start at £149 a night (small room) and breakfast is not included.The Pilgrm marks a promising new direction for hotel experiences. Doing away with frivolous luxuries and focusing on atmosphere and hospitality is where it gets it right. I only hope more follow suit in revitalising and repurposing materials in the way they have. Of course, it fosters a greater sense of responsibility but also brings a feeling of home and comfort you can find only in design with history. And the coffee is great.

Photography © Tiffany Grant-Riley 

Plant Heaven At Botanical Gardens Meise

I'm doing my best to channel all of the calm this week, which marks the launch of London Design Week 2018 (yaaaaasssss!) and my daughter's 5th birthday. It's about to get crazy busy. As this is the first LDF I'm covering for more than one day of events, it means there's some serious design coming your way next week.Today, though, I'm transporting you to the Botanical Gardens Meise. For our family break this summer, we decided to explore the city we've been to many times but only in passing through. The city is fairly compact and we were surprised at just how much there was to do which wasn't remotely touristy. Ok, we did visit the Atomium (the one touristy thing we did all week) but it was worth being herded around for the history of the architecture.Obsessed plant lady that I am, I was determined to visit at least one tropical garden over the summer and although Royal Greenhouses of Laeken were closed, we made it to Meise on a sweltering afternoon. Thankfully, gardens are the one place kids generally don't get bored with as long as there's space to run around so I was happy to disguise a totally selfish trip with something fun for the kids. Ha.With a history dating back to 1796, the botanical gardens house more than 18,000 species of plant, including 13 separate environments within the plant palace. Just 20 minutes outside of Brussels by bus, the gardens feature one of the most stunning glasshouses I've ever been in. And I don't say that lightly. I honestly began to well up with the sheer enormity of it all when I stepped through those sliding doors. The heat, the humidity, the quiet. Just wandering aimlessly, gazing up at banana and palm trees which would dwarf our house in height. Giant lily pads strong enough to support a baby (and they have!) Cacti standing like resplendent sculptures. I could go on but instead, I'll let the photography do the talking. And if you ever find yourself in Brussels, make a little effort to seek house Plantentuin Meise. You simply must.

Photography © Tiffany Grant-Riley

Slow Sounds No 2 Summer Playlist

The Slow Sounds series is back with a summer playlist and with it my last post until September. Expect serious grooves, a strong British line-up (shout out to my girls LaSharVu and my daily obsession Tom Misch representing London) guitars to give you stanky face* and warm brass for balmy nights in the garden. These are the tracks we're playing on repeat in #thechathamhouse this summer and I hope you'll be doing the same.So what's my plan for the summer? Well, work on the bedroom is going ahead with a beautiful floor being laid, walls painted and all the small details which help to pull it all together. Look out for the moodboard in September before I feature the room in October. Track no.6 is going to help me push past those moments when I'm sick of the sight of paint!Track no.4 has a personal connection to it as Vula sang me down the aisle on our wedding day and blew the place apart with her band in the evening. Next month we celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary (how??!!!) and we'll be with the kids in Brussels for five days, returning to Antwerp and hopefully Ghent while we're there. I can't wait to get amongst the Flemish architecture again and I'm hoping to squeeze out a mini city guide once we're back if you're interested?Mostly though, I've worked to a point where I can actually take summer off, slow down and spend a few days meandering with the kids just following wherever the day decides to take us. Happy Days.Have a beautiful summer and see you on the other side...* Refers to the face you make which implies the music is giving you serious grooves but looks like you can smell something really bad.#slowsoundsplaylist

Good Hotel London | The Floating Hotel With A Social Cause

If I told you this hotel had been floated across the North Sea from Amsterdam to London's Royal Victoria Dock you'd think I was joking, right? Well. It was. Back in 2016 following a stint in its home of Amsterdam and a redesign at a shipyard, it made its way on a submerged barge to be docked here.

The Good Story

Good Hotel is a new hotel experience founded upon social enterprise by Marten Dresen. Offering hospitality training to previously unemployed locals through their Good Training program, the hotel guides recruits through a three-month residency before helping them secure employment within the industry. During its stay in London, Good Hotel supports local businesses and sources local ingredients, investing the profits back into educating children from low-income families in Antigua, Guatemala.Designed by Remko Verhaagen and Art Director Sikko Valk of studio Blooey who focus on social and ecological projects, it's hard to believe this structure started life as a detention centre. In my mind, it is quintessentially Dutch. From its altruism to contemporary industrial interiors and relaxed atmosphere. It offers simplistic luxury and a different perspective of London, being that little bit further out from the centre.

The Rooms

There are four types of room at Good Hotel London, starting with a standard double at £98 a night up to the corner waterview room at £135 upwards. We stayed in the deluxe waterview room with wall to wall kingsize bed, inspired by the traditional Dutch bedstee. It's certainly cosy, but the minimalist design and full-size window onto the water makes it feel spacious. The room includes custom built shelving and desk also designed by Verhaagen, a full-length mirror and stand-up en-suite shower with FAIR CosmEthics toiletries. There are iconic swing arm lights mounted on the walls and a nifty hidden phone charger in the windowsill.You won't find TVs in the bedrooms and that's a deliberate decision, encouraging guests to use the Living Room or to venture up to The Roof to drink in the view. Quite literally.

The Social Spaces

The shared spaces are open plan to connect guests and staff together, the result of which is more homely. Seating and dining areas are cleverly zoned using steel framed wood screening so that even when you're lounging on one of the minimal sofas, you can still see through to the bar or across the water. Shelves filled with books and magazines encourage you to stop and sit. The cool, industrial structure of metal and polished concrete is warmed with contrasting wooden tables and sisal rugs.Along with custom pieces designed by Blooey, furniture from Lensvelt and Moooi sit alongside everyday items from HEMA. This is a pared-back interior where the luxury is in the honest materials and feeling of space.Unlike hotels where it's policy for staff to blend into the surroundings, here their portraits hang on the walls, sharing their personal journeys as part of the Good Hotel. Staff will happily engage in conversation, telling you about the history of the hotel and perhaps a little of their own experiences. The positive impact that the hotel has on the area is clear.

Up On The Roof

It wasn't the sunniest day during our visit, but you can get a real sense of the area from The Roof bar. The Emirates cable car is right next door drawing your eye over to the O2 Arena on the Greenwich Peninsula. Planes from City Airport jet over every ten minutes (you quickly acclimatise to this and they stop later in the evening) and there are more eateries up towards the Excel, though quite frankly with food this good here, you shouldn't need to leave. Ever.As if I need to persuade you any further, I think the Dutch have home from home hospitality nailed. I just wish all hotels would follow this model. A place with style and heart. The Good Hotel will be docked here until 2021 when it will make its way on to a new home.Want more inspiration? Check out this London getaway.Good Hotel, Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London, E16 1FA. 

Photography © Tiffany Grant-Riley 

Slow Sounds No 1 Spring Playlist

I know talking about the weather is one thing us Brits know how to do well, so I'm not sorry but please excuse me while I say my GOD that was the LONGEST winter we've had in a long time. Wow. And then this week, Spring broke in all its glory. I spent the last few afternoons digging out wider borders in the garden, planting banana trees and kicking about in my Birkenstocks (how I missed them so).So in celebration of ditching all those layers, in celebration of the longer days, brighter afternoons and sun-kissed evenings, I'm beginning a new series to accompany your slower days. Music is a big deal in our house. My husband is a musician, my father's side has a long legacy of some pretty pivotal Caribbean music, I'm a very rusty violinist and I used to sing Jazz and Blues before my self-awareness got the better of me. These days, I confine the vocals to the house, but it's a real release for me. The house is never quiet, just how I like it.Anyway - here's Slow Sounds No.1 - a playlist for Spring. A mix of contemporary jazz, soul and a touch of folk to listen to as the garden starts to wake up again. I hope you enjoy my carefully selected picks and that I've introduced you to a few new secrets of mine...#slowsoundsplaylist

Architectural Holiday Homes You Can Escape To

There's no doubt that since the rise in popularity of Airbnb, the home from home holiday experience is more important than ever. We've shown that we want to live like locals, relax in considered spaces, appreciate high-quality design and perhaps even come away with a few ideas for our own homes. It used to be that it was a lengthy task to find anything design-led that was within a certain budget and wasn't a luxury hotel, but now there's a dedicated number who've got you covered, connecting you with architectural holiday homes you can play a grown-up version of house in and pretend you live there.

The Modern House

You might already know The Modern House as an estate agency selling some truly exceptional properties, from modernist classics to contemporary builds, but did you know they also have a portfolio of architectural escapes? From European to International homes, this collection of award-winning spaces offer a unique insight into how well considered architecture can change our quality of living. These homes are anything but ordinary, particularly the Backwater eco home, found by a secluded lagoon on the Norfolk Boards. With a real sense of Scandi influence, this RIBA 2016 award winner has a jetty leading straight out on to the water and room for up to eight guests.

Urlaubsarchitektur

This German-based company founded by Jan Hamer who curates a jaw-dropping collection of private homes, hotels and B&Bs, Urlaubsarchitektur divide European locations up into inspirations depending on what it is you're after. You can find any number of highly designed experiences, ranging from the minimalistic, a break that's cool for kids or even a yoga-centric retreat if that's your bag. Be warned though, as what starts as a quick browse can fast turn into falling down a rabbit hole. Check out their series of Holiday Architecture books for coffee table dreaming and scheming.

Host Unusual

If you've ever wondered what it might be like to stay in a treehouse or look out onto a beautifully bleak coastal setting in the middle of nowhere, Host Unusual have a strong selection of quirky UK escapes for just that. Staycations are no longer a last resort, blending the best of the British countryside with cutting edge contemporary architecture. A personal favourite is Five Acre Barn in my home county of Suffolk, a mid-century modern inspired country escape;  just a few miles from the coastal town of Aldeburgh if you ever wanted to leave this stunning location!

Living Architecture

A fully immersive experience of exclusively designed architectural properties, Living Architecture aim to educate and influence discussion about modern architecture and its importance to innovate for future generations. Founded by Alain de Botton in 2006, he set about working with what has become a group of nine stellar architects, including John Pawson, NORD Architecture and Mole Architects to design a series of purpose-built holiday locations in the UK.John Pawson's Life House, nestled in the remote Welsh hills promotes minimalist relaxation in simplistic surroundings. Full-scale windows bring in the rugged landscape and the interiors show the natural appeal of white brick, polished terrazzo and timber lined ceilings. There are separate rooms for reading, listening to music and a contemplation room with a retractable skylight. A less-is-more aesthetic for a pared-back retreat.

DOM Stay and Live

DOM Stay and Live is a relatively new holiday experience, launched by interior architect Marta Nowicka. DOM, meaning home in Polish draws on the trend for designers and architects opening up their homes for others to stay and live in. Marta has collated a hand-picked collection of homes from across the globe including some of Marta's own. There are three categories that DOM divide their experiences into; UK locations, European bolt-holes and locations you can actually live in long-term. I’ll take The Pink House on the Azores islands (pictured) for its mix of contemporary interiors and traditional heritage, once a barn owned by the family for six generations.It's worth noting that although some of these organisations manage the properties themselves, the majority are privately owned meaning they put you in direct contact with the owners. Goodness knows where you'd even begin choosing where to stay with so many possibilities - where's next on your passport?

London Restaurant Amber Brings Modern Mediterranean To Aldgate East

Standing in my kitchen yesterday, paintbrush in hand and checking my email (how's that for multi-tasking?) I opened up a message from British furniture designer Charles Dedman. A new discovery for me, I fell pretty hard for this man's serious skills - boy does he know how to design a chair. He told me he'd just fitted out a new London restaurant with his Turner collection and did I want to see for myself...Now, I'm a total sucker for restaurant spaces - it would be impossible for most of us design loving creatures not to be, after all, the space you eat in sets the tone for what you eat. It's all about the ambience, how it compliments the menu, the whole experience. Needless to say, I jumped on this one pretty quickly to bring you a taste of Amber, Aldgate East's new modern Mediterranean restaurant.Designed by Hamburg based Solveig Castell, a chance encounter via an Instagram story led to her commisioning Dedman's full complement of his Turner collection. Amber's light and warm aesthetic was inspired by a Midsummer garden. A backdrop of lush planting draws the eye to Dedman's pieces, including the Carver chair, Turner high stools and cafe tables made from olive ash. Two five metre custom banquettes along the back wall create a focal point against plaster pink walls and polished concrete floors.There's so much inspiration to take away from this design that can be applied to your own home; from the wall mounted terracotta planters and globe pendant lights to large-scale round mirrors. The blend of raw finishes, basic materials and simple shapes make for a sophisticated feel.Of course, it's all very well designing a beautiful space, but what about the food? Well, I'm told it takes its name from the ancient Amber trade route, with a modern twist on Moorish cuisine. Founders Murat and Pierre present a menu packed with flavour, from the oven baked Pide, Middle-Eastern breakfasts and group friendly sharing dishes. With Spring on the way, it looks to be the London restaurant in which to while away the afternoon.Amber - Goodman's Fields - 21 Piazza Walk - London E1 8QH

Photography © Jodi Hines

Slow Rituals | A Mindful Approach To Houseplant Care

Plants have become an important part of my life these past few years. I wasn't instantly great with them, being used to gardening outside, houseplants were a whole different ballgame. There were a few casualties, and I learnt very quickly what my strengths were (let's say ferns aren't my strong point!) We now have around 50 established plants of various sizes and varieties and they're as much a part of our family as our kids. Well...almost.They anchor me, they are a reminder to look away from the stresses and trials from time to time and check in with them. They give me another focus for my thoughts - is it happy in that corner? does it need misting? Is it time for a bigger pot? Setting aside an hour a week of my time to give our plants attention is my way of slowing down, no matter what life is doing on either side of that pocket of time. And we know that slowing down doesn't just happen, it takes some planning as I detailed in this post, but with a few minutes care here and there during the week, you should start to feel a difference in yourself and see it through your plants.My mindful approach to houseplant care will not only put you on a path to finding time for a regular, slow ritual but should up your plant game in no time.

Checking In

Unless you're a seasoned hothouse orchid expert, most houseplants don't come with a huge list of demands. They're great at communicating and will throw out a few warnings when they're starting to feel unhappy. The best time to do this is the morning - maybe potter about the house with your cuppa. Take a moment to look at the leaves - are they vibrant, plump (if they're a cactus or succulent)? Or are they drying up, maybe changing colour? If it's the latter, it's either a case of over or under watering or the wrong amount of light. Depending on the plant, you'll want to check that it's in the right environment and getting the right amount of water, if not, make those changes.

Pruning

Not something you need to do often, but in the case of a rogue triffid, you might want to prune it back to avoid a take-over. I've just done this with a five-year-old cheese plant and it's perfectly happy, but I'd advise a little research first as not all plants like being trimmed. Be sure to remove any dead leaves to allow for new growth and use a sharp, gardener's knife or scissors for a clean cut. Cutting with anything blunt will encourage disease.

Propagating.

One of the best things about plants is that they give plenty back - literally. Some succulents and cacti produce offspring, attached to the 'parent' which can also be gently removed and propagated. I use a basic compost, mixed with a little sand for succulents and leave them to root, watering very occasionally. Some need to be laid directly onto the soil of the parent plant and left to dry out and grow roots which, once established, can be potted separately.Did you know that you can root some plant stems in just water? I've had some levels of success with a Monstera Deliciosa (cheese plant) and ZZ plant (Zamioculas Zamiflora) by cutting a mature stem at the base and leaving it in water, refreshing it regularly. After several weeks, you should see a root system start to form.

Feeding and Watering

During the winter, houseplants will slow down and go into a semi-hibernation. Don't give them any liquid feed at this time or water them too often. When spring comes around, they'll become active again and start growing which is when you can resume regular waterings with feed. I save our coffee grounds and dilute them as an occasional caffeinated feed for a pick-me-up too. Bear in mind, however, that some plants don't enjoy acidity which the coffee water creates, so keep an eye on the leaves in case they start to yellow.

Potting On

If it looks like your plant is running out of space to grow, it's likely it'll need potting on to a larger vessel. An easy way to tell is if the roots start pushing through the bottom of the pot or look coiled (pot-bound) when you lift it out. Don't attempt to do this until spring when the root system will be active and ready to spread into the new space.Don't be afraid to try living with plants - I meet so many people who say they wish they could be better at keeping them alive. There's really no magic to it, just a small amount of commitment and attention. Adopting a slow ritual in caring for your plants and the benefits they bring in return are so worth it.I'd love to hear about your experiences with houseplants. Have they helped you to switch off and slow down? Or maybe you're looking for a good starter plant and would like some tips?Photography © Tiffany Grant-Riley 

Freelance Life On Becoming An Interior Stylist

I get emails all the time from aspiring stylists and those already working in the industry but looking to get more established, asking if they can assist me and, more importantly, how I got started myself. It can be daunting when you start out, but if you've ever thought about becoming an interior stylist and wondered what it takes, my advice and experiences will go some way to getting you on that path.Being a stylist is far from glamorous, it's a lot of hard work and you need a thick skin, but it's incredibly rewarding to have such a creative job and see your work in print.What's your background and how did you get into styling interiors? Aside from a short stint as a cleaner in a primary school (yes, really!) I've always pursued creative work. I trained at Rose Bruford College and graduated with a BA(Hons) in Stage Management, producing theatre. Although a lot of the role was organisational, it involved sourcing and making props, sometimes supporting the costume department depending on budgets and looking after the cast and crew. No show was the same and that's what I loved about it.From there, I moved into events and wedding planning, all transferable skills but with a much more personal approach. So, I ran my wedding business for five years, styling vintage inspired weddings and supporting couples up to a year in advance of their big day. It was the creative side that I relished the most, the visual aspect, creating an immersive experience for the couple and their guests and seeing their reactions. Towards the end it was all starting to get too much, with my 18-month-old son at home I felt that I wasn't giving him my best and bringing home all of the stresses I was shouldering from my clients was affecting our home life. My gut instinct was telling me that visual work was better suited to me, something with shorter timescales, work without so many emotional ties. And that's when I moved into styling interiors.Of course, it wasn't that fast or as simple! My story isn't exactly a conventional one but I'm certainly not the first to make a career change - that in itself is pretty scary when you're on the outside looking in! At the time, stylists were much more in-house at magazines than they are now and I discovered pretty quickly that I had to make my own way in. So, when the opportunities weren't open to me, I made my own door. A cheesy analogy, I know, but I couldn't intern at a magazine with soon to be two small children at home, so immersing myself in that environment took a little more effort. I started practising at home and contacted a few stylists I admired to ask that they add my name to their pool of assistants. After about a year I started assisting on real home features for a couple of well-known magazines, met photographers and writers and things started to open up. At the same time, I took some low-key projects on the side that slowly evolved into bigger commissions...and here I am. I don't consider myself to be exactly where I want to be but hey, it's all about the journey, right?I've been freelancing for ten years now and there's been many a learning curve, but that's a whole other blog post!What do you shoot with? Do I need to know my way around photography?Nothing special at all. I bought myself an entry-level DSLR (Nikon D3100) four years ago and taught myself to shoot in manual, how to work with natural light and editing with Photoshop. I'm still using that camera now along with my iPhone out and about, although I'm ready to upgrade my kit  - camera technology moves quickly! A tripod is an essential piece of kit too - it'll save you hours in low light and frees up your hands when you need to tweak and adjust objects in the frame.Whilst it's not essential to know everything about photography, it helps to understand the nuts and bolts so when you're on a shoot you can anticipate where and how the photographer will want to shoot. It's also important to understand the rule of thirds when you're setting up a shot and how negative space and layering lay the foundations of an image.What is a test shoot and how can I set up my own?A test shoot is a practice shoot, even the most established stylists work on these. They're a great way to develop your style and experiment with concepts outside of the pressure of commissioned work. You can find space for more creativity at your own pace. Most importantly, you'll build up your portfolio and relationships with photographers and other creatives. I'd recommend finding a photographer's assistant who wants to develop their folio and network - it's a win-win for everyone then. Find an independent maker who would like some shots for their website or promotional material and make that your subject. Or, make it even more simple and shoot a still-life with props from around your home. You don't need to pay out for a studio - clear out a corner at home that receives good, natural light and play around with backdrops.How did you develop your style? Where do I start?I think as with any creative journey it's something that evolves with time. Part of it came from working on a variety of shoots and home features, finding what I liked, what I didn't.I'm definitely drawn to minimalist, clean lines, shot head-on or from above for a graphic look (as you'll know if you're a regular here) and I like to use a lot of negative space in my work. Although I love the very masculine style, for some reason my work always comes out a little softer. Maybe that'll change over time?When you begin and don't have a strong identity to your style, it helps to draw inspiration from someone you admire, without copying of course. Be a little technical and analyse what it is about their work that you connect with - is it the composition, the colour palette, an on-going signature style? Pinterest and Instagram are brilliant for inspiration at your fingertips, as well as keeping your eyes open when you're out and about. Oh and magazines - of course.What kind of styling do you prefer e.g editorial, events, commercial?I've done my fair share across the board now and honestly, my favourite kind of styling is the one I can do from home or with a small, independent brand that's developing its own visual story. I also absolutely love visual merchandising. It's a very different approach from photographic/editorial but there's a whole heap of retail psychology that goes with it. Fascinating stuff.Has something ever gone wrong on a shoot? Oh goodness, yes. One time, I smashed a glass prop and it cut the toe of the stylist I was assisting! Sometimes key props don't arrive or things get broken. Sometimes there'll be conflicts of opinion between you and the creative director on set, or the shot you thought was going to work, doesn't. And then there's the wall you hit part way through the shoot when you all feel like you've been looking at it for too long and need fresh eyes. You have to learn to push through that too. That's all part of the job though, to be flexible, to adapt.Which stylists inspire you? There's a handful that I always come back to for inspiration, all are very different with their approach. Lotta Agaton's contribution to Scandi design has had a huge impact on the way I look at my work. She uses monochromatic colour palettes (not just black and white) and has really put String shelving on the map again. Dietlind Wolf takes a similar approach to colour and tone but is more food and still-life focused, she has quite a painterly, free-form style. Hannah Franklin sets the standard for British design editorial from simple to elaborate sets, they're theatrical and breath-takingly genius. I also closely follow two French stylists, Aurelie Lecuyer, Benedicte Sartorio. They incorporate nature and natural shape but take it one step further, with muted block colour and a sense of playfulness. Check them out.What makes a good assistant?Make yourself invaluable. The stylist will have heaps on their mind from the get-go, so it's important to anticipate what they'll need and when. Ask how you can best support them at the beginning of the shoot and be organised. Know where everything is, from the props and furniture to the masking tape in the kit. You'll be the one making the tea, doing the lunch run and making sure everything is packed up ready for collection by the courier at the end so the stylist can focus on the nitty-gritty. All in all, don't make yourself another thing for the stylist to manage.Can I assist you on your shoots?I rarely use assistants on my shoots as I'm used to working on my own. Much of my work is done here, from home, but on the odd occasion that I do need one I'll put in a request from a pool of assistants. It's worth joining Facebook networking groups like the one listed below to get to know the community and you'll glean some great advice and support too.There is literally SO much more to this topic, like how to establish yourself as a pro stylist once you're more confident, how to organise a shoot on your own etc. but there's plenty here to keep you going. And if you've got more questions, the following resources will have your back...Additional Resources:Inside Stylists - a new online resource, directory and all-around support system for new / wannabe and established stylist.Skillshare - there's a wealth of brilliant online classes in photography and styling here.Interior Stylists Facebook group - where the new Inside Stylists site began, worth joining for networking, picking up assisting job and for advice from professionals.

Cos X The Gentlewoman | Modernist Architectural Tour of London

Last September I joined COS x The Gentlewoman magazine on the London leg of their 'Glimpses of The Future' architectural tour. Led by architectural historian Joe Kerr, we hopped onboard a 1960s Routemaster and headed to 5 top Modernist locations, all connected through the theme of social housing. My interpretation of the guide is a little more basic as an enthusiastic newbie so you'll have to forgive me, but nevertheless, I hope this will give you a taste of some of London's modernist treasures.

The Boundary Estate | Est 1900, designed by London County Council Architects

First up, the Boundary Estate, one of the world's oldest municipal housing projects leading to the Arnold Circus at its centre. If you're a Shoreditch regular, then it's likely you're already familiar with it. Prior to its creation, an overcrowded slum stood on this site, home to over 5,000 people living in the most extreme squalor. The majority of these people came from trade backgrounds - shoemakers, silk weavers, dustmen, all of them crammed into these tumbledown buildings.In order to improve the basic living conditions, the LCC committed to building a new estate in 1893 with running water, proper sanitation and better living quarters with most tenements accommodating two to three rooms. Rubble from the surrounding area became the foundations for a Japanese style bandstand which stands at the centre surrounded by seating. From the bandstand, you can see a full 360-degree view of the estate with its grand red brick, tiled walls, large windows and open, green spaces. A world away from its origins. There were shops, a laundry, workshops and two schools available to residents - compared to what stood here before, this was a radical and much sought after place to live.When the finished estate was opened up, however, it wasn't the original tenants who moved back in. They were in fact displaced further into the depths of the East London slums around Dalston and Bethnal Green, giving way to a more affluent worker; policemen, clerks and nurses who could afford the upkeep. It's a familiar story of gentrification, isn't it? 

Bevin Court | Est 1954, designed by Berthold Lubetkin.

There's something so very satisfying about the symmetry of our next stop - Bevin Court, a Lubetkin wonder with a controversial backstory. This example of post-war architecture was built on the site of bombed-out Holford Square, once home to Russian revolutionary Vladimir Lenin. The site was briefly home to a memorial dedicated to Lenin and Lubetkin had intended to name the building Lenin Court. In the years to come, however, the memorial was repeatedly vandalised by anti-communists and eventually had to be removed. In an act of defiance, fellow Russian Lubetkin would allegedly have the statue buried under the central staircase. As British and Russian relations worsened and the Cold War intensified, the completed building was renamed Bevin Court in honour of anti-communist foreign secretary Ernest Bevin. You can imagine how Lubetkin felt about that!With austerity in full effect and construction budgets low, Lubetkin and his practice Tecton were forced to strip back amenities and focus solely on the absolute basics. The prefabricated concrete is truly spectacular. In contrast to the straight lines of the exterior, fluid curves make up the central stairwell and hallway spaces, encouraging social interaction. Open to the elements, the large windows offer views across the city and surrounded by well-established trees and planting. Not your average social housing scheme given its time and hardly a surprise that Bevin Court became a Grade II listed building in 1988.

Royal College of Physicians | Est 1964, designed by Denys Lasdun.

If you ever find yourself wandering the east side of Regent's Park, make an effort to visit the RCP building. Yes, you're actually allowed to look inside this one, though for me the magic of the building is the outside. Not a piece of social housing in the traditional sense, it is a place of work, so that counts. Completed in 1964, the building houses a museum, library and lecture halls as well as a stunning medicinal garden. Visit at the right time of year and you might even spot the massive lemons growing there. As big as your head. Literally.Traditionally housed in classically designed, historic buildings, it was quite the curveball that the RCP commissioned Brutalist architect Sir Denys Lasdun to design their new location. An architect inspired by the work of Le Corbusier, Lasdun spent time at Tecton, Lubetkin's practice as well as with Wells Coates whose Isokon Building was to be our final location on the tour.The intended new site of the RCP was Someries House, a building designed by John Nash but severely damaged during the war. Demolition wasn't completely out of the question at this point, so long as the new building reflected the Regency style of the surrounding terraces. When it came to appointing an architect for the job, the brief was clear - the new location had to look elegant and accommodate the everyday function of the RCP itself.Lasdun was unapologetic in his approach to designing the new building. It would not be in the classical style, yet it would still acknowledge the history of its surroundings which are seen through cleverly placed sight lines out at the terraces from inside the building. Perhaps it was Lasdun's daring, modernist approach that sold the idea to the royal college - after all, the history of medical practice had evolved so much over the past 400 years, it would seem right to represent a new, post-war era for the RCP with its architecture.As you approach the front of the building, you're met by a breathtaking tile clad overhang, which houses the library. Made from reinforced steel concrete, this section is supported by three columns, under which steps lead up to the foyer and on into an open space with a central staircase. Materials used on the exterior are continued inside, including the austere brick and marble-clad walls.A monochrome wonder, Lasdun's design is sympathetic to its surroundings, despite its ground-breaking, modernist appearance. I could wax lyrical about this building until I'm blue in the face, but you can see for yourself what a marvel it is. And Grade 1 listed too.

Alexandra and Ainsworth Estate | Est 1978, designed by Neave Brown.

Not surprisingly my favourite and I think you can guess why (I'll give you a clue - PLANTS). The Alexandra Estate, or Rowley Way as it's commonly known feels like it has its own micro-climate thanks to the ingenious cast concrete structure, designed by Neave Brown. A departure from the more popular high rise, the estate consists of two rows of four-storey blocks facing onto a central street, with higher eight-storey blocks further back. This valley like structure keeps out much of the harsh weather, allowing an array of planting to thrive here. Noise pollution from the railway line behind is kept out as the structure acts as a sound barrier.It's definitely an unconventional beauty, drawing you in to explore its social spaces and admire the tropical planting. We had a few strange looks from local residents who stopped and asked what we were up to. They weren't surprised to see us on a tour, though they found it strange that people would visit to admire it. One resident had lived there for over 20 years and raised her four children in a safe and happy environment. Every home is light and spacious for family living with balconies and underground parking facilities. This is how social housing should be - well considered, good quality living, not hastily thrown up to cut corners. I'm looking at you Kensington and Chelsea Council.Unfortunately for Brown, this project drew a lot of attention for all the wrong reasons due to the complicated construction methods, becoming one of the most expensive examples of social housing. It wasn't until last year that Brown won the RIBA Royal Gold Medal in recognition of his contribution to architecture. Richly deserved too.

Isokon Building | Est 1934, designed by Wells Coates. 

Last stop on the tour - Wells Coates' masterpiece, the Isokon building. With the September sun highlighting her curved form, we joined resident of the Isokon Penthouse and director of the Isokon Gallery Trust, Magnus Englund.The Lawn Road Flats as they were originally known, were designed by Canadian architect Coates with the young professional in mind. Influenced by Bauhaus design, the building was commissioned by husband and wife Molly and Jack Pritchard, owners of modernist design studio, Isokon. Likened to an ocean liner, a look referenced heavily within 1930s design, the building features 34 flats marketed with all mod-cons. Ideal for those too busy to cook and clean, there were staff quarters, kitchens, a dumbwaiter and the Isobar downstairs for communal gatherings. The height of 30s glamour.Built-in, plywood furniture designed by the Isokon Furniture Company provided a simplistic, straightforward way of living or "equipment for the living of a free life". With an illustrious past, the list of previous residents reads like a dream dinner party, including Agatha Christie, Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer.There is much to delve into within the history of this building - Pritchard's involvement with Isokon and the community of Europe's modernist movers and shakers, how well the building faired over its 80s years. It might be better told through the building itself though, which houses a museum dedicated to the life of the building and the people who brought it into being.Thank you to The Gentlewoman and COS for this wonderful experience. You can follow the Glimpses of the Future architectural tour here (bearing in mind that some residences can't be accessed from the inside).If you fancy getting involved with The Gentlewoman, you can join their club for exclusive events and tours.

Photography © Tiffany Grant-Riley 

5 Habits For Simpler Slower Family Life

The first post of 2018 and I'm starting your year the right way, sharing six easy to adopt habits for a simpler, slower pace of family life. Perhaps you're already missing that relaxed holiday bubble and are looking for ways to gain some of that back? Well, the good news is, you can.Let's be real about it though - for all the picturesque perfection that the slow living lifestyle portrays on social media and in the magazines we read; it's not possible to sustain that way of life on a daily basis, especially when there's an infinite amount of plates to spin. If only we could all spend all day lounging in trendy cafes nursing endless, artfully styled lattes or standing at the edge of a snow-topped mountain peak! Yet, with this culture of busyness we perpetuate, it's hardly surprising that we're yearning for a slower, less immediate pace of life. Is it any wonder so many of us struggle with our mental health when a full working calendar is seen as a virtue? And I can hold my hands up and say I was one of those people, who felt that telling anyone who would listen just how busy I was would somehow make me appear more important, more valued. Until that is, I got bored of hearing myself saying it, and others to me. I was stuck in a constant cycle of burn-out and, as a parent living with depression, I realised that I needed to break that cycle for me and my family. I don't want to teach my children that over-work and unhappiness is the norm.In the run-up to Christmas, I thought we might drown in a sea of commitments we'd given ourselves - both of us frantically trying to wrap up work for the year, the kids with their end of term parties and non-uniform days. It felt never-ending and the idea of a pressure-free break completely unattainable. If you're anything like us, living miles away from any close family members to give us both a break from time to time, the moments we do get to slow down are all the more precious. Life is an ebb and flow cycle with busier seasons and pockets of slow. Go with it. Try to carve out a little time each week if not at the end of each day and practice these simple tips we use...

Expect To Plan

It's not what you want to hear, but in order to slow down, you need to carve out the space to do so. Spontaneity takes planning when you're short on time.Gone are the days when we would spend all day in bed binging on episodes of Lost, leisurely grazing amongst the folds of the duvet. And wow do I miss those days...we're lucky to get five minutes to chuck down a coffee before something needs taking care of. It's the day to day stuff that takes up your time - the laundry, homework, remembering that the bathroom is sitting under several weeks of filth. As boring as it is, getting these things done and dusted means they're not on your mind imposing those guilty "I should be" thoughts on you. Be methodical and make a list of the most pressing and important tasks to be done - we use a large chalkboard in the hallway and the control freak in me gets real pleasure from ticking things off.  Anything non-essential can wait. We use Saturday as our getting s**t done day leaving Sunday free for whatever we please.

What is this life if, full of care,We have no time to stand and stare.No time to sit beneath the boughsAnd stare as long as sheep or cows.

- 'Leisure', WH Davies. 

Find A Project

Choosing a project to work on together is a great way to connect with each other and in turn, helps to shut out external distractions. I'm talking about our phones, the games console - anything that pulls our attention anyway from being present, in the moment. Doing something with your hands is a wonderfully therapeutic too. Use this as an opportunity to teach your children something new. It could be baking, building a Lego castle or working your way through Roald Dahl's collection at bedtime.Last summer, we grew courgettes, tomatoes and sunflowers from seed and my two took it in turns to feed and water the seedlings, monitoring their growth in the mornings. Ok, so they didn't eat any of the courgettes (unless I cleverly disguised them) but I loved seeing how excited they were to watch something they planted grow and bear fruit. The specifics of the project isn't important, it's the spending time together as a family that matters.

Eat Together

One of the most important things you can do as a family is to sit at the table to eat together. Even better if you can involve the kids in cooking a meal, I find mine are more likely to eat it if they've played a part in making it. I'm always so aware of my most-used sentences "we haven't got time" and "we're going to be late" and I don't want them to become ingrained in my children's memories of me, so I use mealtimes to counteract the rushing. Weekday breakfasts are typically a blur in favour of getting the school and nursery run done but dinner is the one time we all stop and talk about our day. At the weekend we make a thing of planning a special breakfast (usually pastries or I make pancakes) and indulge ourselves in a slow morning.

Focus Your Attention

When was the last time you really paid attention to your surroundings? Be mindful of the details around you as you go about your day together. Watch the birds visiting your garden, listen to vinyl instead of the TV. I realise that my two often try to talk to me when I'm distracted with other things, so I make a point to stop what I'm doing from time to time and give them my full attention. If you think about it, what's more annoying than someone not hearing you when you're talking to them?Take cues from your children - they're sticklers for noticing the little things. It might be watching bugs in the garden as my son can spend hours doing. My daughter likes to count the freckles on my face. She calls them "mops" (moles). I love her all the more when she does that.Adopting a daily ritual helps with this too. Mine is to make us a coffee with the stove top percolator after the school run. From grinding down the beans, packing it out, boiling the water and listening for the rush of pressure as it brews into the jug. I take my time, breathe in that fresh smell of coffee and anticipate a quiet ten minutes before starting the day at my desk.

Hold Space

Don't plan for everything. Term time is particularly manic, especially when your children have extra-curricular activities, so in a rare moment when there's nothing happening, don't force it to. Worrying that the kids might find themselves bored is far too easy a trap to fall into; let them be. Don't forget how important it is for children to be bored sometimes - they need to learn to find their own entertainment, to learn to use their imaginations, to create. Leave those pockets of free time open to spontaneity. This, in turn, will open up some space for you to have that coffee, read a few pages of the book you've been trying to finish for months. Time to breeeeeeeeathe.I hope this short guide has inspired you to embrace slow living family life and, if like me you're about to dive into the first term of the year, then I salute you. You've got this.

Photography © Tiffany Grant-Riley, taken on our Christmas Eve 'blow the cobwebs away' walk. 

Curate And Display Christmas Gift Edit | Under £300

In the last of my Christmas Gift Edit series, I'm sharing coveted designs for under £300. We still have a fair bit to get finished and ready for the big day, hence the reason for the late posting of this guide, but I'll wager there's still a few bits left on your list too! Not surprisingly, I've picked out a monochrome selection of European and British made designs for your home. These are pieces that will stand the test of time and fit seamlessly into your home for many years to come. Let's take a look...| 1 | No gift edit is complete without a little Danish design somewhere. The Poly Coat Rack in oak from Skagerak was inspired by a seed head - a tactile shape and perfect for small spaces too. £179, Skandium.| 2 | What I wouldn't give to come home and find Crane cookware waiting in my kitchen. Aside from the fact that they're black enamel, they're designed in Britain and made from 30% recycled materials. They're 100% recycleable too. Not that you'd ever need to replace it. £145, Clippings.| 3 | Smokey glass and brass Echasse bowl, by Menu. £239, Monologue.| 4 |  Smart enough to take with you everywhere, this Marimekko Eppu backbag is a stylish canvas and leather update. £185, Tea and Kate. | 5 | A trolley is a versatile piece to have in the house. Use it to store your drinks, somewhere to put your plants or books or bring it out as extra surface space when you've got friends over. Light grey Block trolley, Normann Copenhagen. £205, Made In Design.| 6 | For the ultra-organized, the Uten.Silo, designed by Dorothee Becker in 1969 is enough to satisfy the neat freak. Perfect storage for the office, kitchen and anywhere that requires pleasing little pockets. £265, Vitra.| 7 | A family with over half a century of loom weaving history, Mourne Textiles are still making beautiful blankets and cushions from the foot of the Mourne mountains in Ireland. Their classic 1956 Shaggy Dog weave cushion is one of my absolute favourites. £185, Mourne Textiles.| 8 | TOAST always make the most sumptuous blankets and this Knitted British wool throw is no exception - look at those tassels! £225. TOAST.| 9 | French design brand Harto are still quite new to these shores, I love their sophisticated mix of wood and brass with satisfying curves. Say hello to the Nina table lamp. £177, Made In Design.| 10 | A 1960s classic now produced by Hay, the J110 chair still holds its own in a more contemporary setting. An ideal seat for the head of the table if you ask me. £219, Nest. So, here it is - my last post of 2017. I hope you've found my Christmas gift edit series a help in some way shape or form. Maybe you've discovered a few new designers or shops?I'll be back in the new year with fresh, new interior inspiration, including the big reveal of our kitchen refresh. I've been slowing chipping away at it for a couple of months now, so I'm ridiculously excited to share the finished project with you!Thank you as always for taking the time to read and enthuse with me. Wishing you a wonderfully slow Christmas break with friends and family and a very Happy New Year. See you soon.Tiff xx

Moody and Minimal Christmas Table Styling

There is nothing I enjoy more about this time of year than styling our Christmas table. It's the part of the day when I can slow down my efforts in the kitchen and take my time setting the table, lighting the candles and adding finishing touches before we sit down together. When I worked as a wedding and events planner, this part of the process was without doubt my favourite part - finding the right colour palette, choosing the tableware and linens and creating an atmosphere to bring friends and family together to celebrate in style. Although our Christmas table is quite a bit smaller by comparison, it's not any less important.This year, I've been so inspired by all the rich and moody colour ways coming out of the Nordic design scene that I wanted to break away from white and do something different. This look is tonal with deep blue linen, black tableware, touches of earthy terracotta. No Christmas table is complete without seasonal greenery and I've used a mix of seeded eucalyptus from my local florist, off-cuts of fir tree and greenery foraged from my garden. You'd be surprised how much inspiration the hedgerows will give you too if you keep your eyes open, just make sure you're allowed to take what you find.I couldn't resist using the new table linen collection from French brand La Cerise sur le gateau as my starting point. A smattering of gold speckles across the centre of the cloth is a nod to designer Anne Hubert's playful signature style, picking up the warm glow of candlelight. You can get away without ironing it too as it's a linen and cotton mix. I much prefer the relaxed texture of the crinkles, don't you?The brass candlesticks are from the new MADE.COM collection which I saw at their supper club earlier in November. I love their simple shape and I've used my favourite Broste Copenhagen tapered candles in a blue-grey.I normally leave wine and champagne glasses on the sideboard for our guests to choose before they sit down, so I'm keeping the table simple with these Ferm Living Ripple glasses for water.Scent is yet another level of attention to detail that I bring to our table. Aside from the fresh smell of eucalyptus, I'm using the heady scent of Smoked Leather by Urban Apothecary. You may have spotted their travel candle in my recent gift guide and this one invokes the memory of lounging in a leather armchair in front of the fire. I'm down with that.Black flatware has been on my list of must-haves forever and this Turini set from Habitat adds a bit of chunk to an otherwise delicate setting. The Nordic Kitchen dinner plates make a striking alternative to white and I can't wait to see how the black brings out the pops of colour in the food - I'll be making a smoked salmon carpaccio to start!

My Tips For Styling Your Christmas Table

- Use paper napkins for a quick update. IKEA have an inexhaustible selection and Vitra's Eames Dot is a personal favourite.- Layer up your plates on top of each other. Not only does it save space but it also looks great with a carefully placed napkin tucked inside.- Mood lighting is everything. Use a mix of tall candles, tea lights or battery operated fairy lights woven into your greenery.- Make a runner of greenery down the centre of your table if you don't fancy a larger display. Simply layer sprigs together and hide the ends with interspersed candles or paper decorations.- Mix textures to give your styling depth. For example, linens mixed with polished metal and cut glass to refract the light. Use velvet or string to tie your napkins.- Supermarkets are full of herbs and small potted fir trees if you're stuck for foliage. Try a mix of rosemary and bay for scent and pomegranates, figs and clementines for colour.- Remember to leave space on your table for serving dishes, bottles etc. Less is more from a practical perspective too!Check out my Scandinavian Christmas table from 2015 and find more inspiration on my Pinterest Christmas board.Lina Ardoise Golden Dots Tablecloth* - La Cerise sur le gateauNordic Kitchen black dinner plates* - Eva SoloTurini matt black cutlery* - HabitatFerm Living Ripple glasses* - AmaraVerona brass candlesticks - MADE.COMTerracotta pitcher - Another CountryGrey candles - Broste CopenhagenSmoked Leather scented candle*- Urban Apothecary LondonBerit Mogensen Lopez abstract art print* - The Poster ClubDisclosure: This is a sponsored post - all credits and products involved are listed and marked* and have been gifted to me in exchange for this post.Photography & styling © Tiffany Grant-Riley

Curate and Display Christmas Gift Edit | Under £100

Continuing in my quest to make planning and searching for those special prezzies that little bit easier, my second Christmas gift edit for under £100 should set you on the straight and narrow. I've clearly had self-care in mind for this one, with plenty of long-lasting luxuries to use in the coming year and beyond, because we don't support the throw-away culture here - nuh-uh.| 1 | Conventional jewellery boxes are a little boring, but this fresh take in concrete includes a mirror for dual purpose functionality. £54.95 Korridor Design My Mirror, Moxon London| 2 Treat your skin and indulge in this kit from one of my favourite skincare brands. This moisture replenishment kit for dry skin comes with a cleanser, toner and hydrating face cream. Yes please. £89, Aesop. | 3 | A space-saving piece of minimalist tech, the Fine Speaker by Lexon is a rechargeable gadget you can connect to your phone. Rotate it for volume control and choose from three colours (I loved the grey). Ideal to take with you into the kitchen or bathroom. Just don't get it wet. £50, Heal's.| 4 | I've had my heart set on at least one of these Muuto shelves since their release last year. Made from a single folded sheet of steel, the Folded shelf becomes the perfect spot for storing paperwork over your desk, bathroom essentials or somewhere to hang your clothes. £89.30, Finnish Design Shop.| 5 | An olive green lambswool scarf will add a touch of effortless chic to your outdoor wardrobe and I love this one not only for its snugglesome size but because HUSH work with responsibly sourced materials. That means the wool you're wearing comes from sources who uphold the highest standards of animal welfare. Always find out where you're buying from and support the ones who do it with a conscience. £69, HUSH.| 6 | Unisex perfumes are always a winner in my eyes as you can steal share it together - extra value points. Makers of couture fashion and luxury fragrances Maison Margiela call this one 'By The Fireplace', invoking a crisp, winter morning spent in front of a crackling fire. Bliss. £100, Opumo. | 7 | An instant update for the bedroom or sofa, the HAY Crinkle throw has that lovely lived in look with soft tassels. £89, COS.| 8 | For the brown-fingered friend (I'm talking about plant killers you filthy Herbert!) desperate to keep something alive, this could be the answer. The Smart Garden is a pretty epic design inspired by NASA technology which ensures your plant receives the right amount of water, nutrients and light with its very own grow lamp. Plant and go and watch it grow. £95, The Conran Shop. | 9 | I'd like to think that by now you know I'd never recommend anything I haven't used myself and I literally live in these mahabis slippers. They're the most comfortable and practical slippers ever - you can even wear them outside. £89, mahabis.| 10 | Independent store Oggetto produce the most exquisite handcrafted pieces from their workshop in Dorset. The Chesil furniture collection is a particular stand-out, blending contemporary shapes with rustic wood and simplistic style. This four peg steel and oak rail would look right at home in the hallway. £85, Oggetto. | 11 | A beautifully crafted bowl for beauty's sake, made from the newest material on the interiors scene, Jesmonite. £80, Nakomi.| 12 | The gift that keeps on giving - the PACT coffee subscription. Sign up for 12 months with fresh coffee bean or grounds delivered to your door. The coffee is bought in small batches from independent farmers and roasted in Bermondsey. You can even change the flavour and frequency if you fancy. £6.95 per month, PACT Coffee.| 13 | A graphic, grey scale Kelim rug from Danish design brand Ferm Living adds a pop of personality. £99, Future and Found.So tell me - have I hit the mark? Sparked a few ideas? I'll be back later in the week with some Christmas table styling inspiration. Look out for the third and final gift edit for under £300, and here's the first for under £25 in case you missed it.

Curate and Display Christmas Gift Edit | Under £25

I swear it was only Christmas five minutes ago - was it not?!  I've been so distracted by our kitchen refresh (more on that soon) that it's crept up on me. Again. So if like me, you've been caught off-guard by the festive season and need some quick suggestions, my Christmas gift edits should get you out of a spot. Whilst I really don't believe in spending out for the sake of it, I do think that a well-chosen gift will have its place for years to come. With that in mind, I've trawled some of the best independent and high street shops for little minimalist tokens under £25...| 1 | The Scandi brands are slowly taking over the high street, with the meticulously curated ARKET launching on Regents Street earlier this summer. A linen apron never goes out of style and only gets better with wear. ARKET.| 2 | Hasami pottery is a true favourite of mine. Made from a mix of porcelain and clay from the Hasami region in Japan, these mugs are incredibly robust and stackable too. £24.99, Native & Co.| 3 | Oliver Bonas are designing really unusual pieces of minimalist jewellery. These silver and deep navy drop earrings can be worn in a number of ways, together or separately. £18, Oliver Bonas. | 4 | A new publication from the team behind the inspirational interiors site, Remodelista. The Organised Home is a must-have guide for whipping your home into shape and getting the most of the space you have. £13, Wordery.| 5 | An unusual pot for the plant lover, designed and hand-cast by Peckham based studio Conpot from a mix of concrete and Welsh green granite. £20, From The Land.| 6 | Sleek, contemporary charging accessories made with design in mind, this is a Key Cable to take with you everywhere. I love Native Union's less is more attention to detail and the use of retro nylon cable. £18.99, Native Union.| 7 | Hand-poured in the UK, Urban Apothecary's monochrome travel candle is made from natural soy with 35 hours burn time. Try Fig for an indulgent winter scent. £15, Inside Store LDN.| 8 | No Christmas is complete without chocolate, particularly when it comes in a stylish wrapper. LAND is based in Bethnal Green making artisanal chocolate for the connoisseur...or anyone who loves to scoff down a bar.  £5.50, LAND.| 9 | A beautiful, solid addition to both the kitchen and table, this multi-functional brass trivet works well for serving straight at the table or as a decorative item. £18, ARKET| 10 | The Grown Alchemist make natural hand washes with botanical ingredients that won't dry out your skin. Gives the sink an upgrade too! £25, Tea And Kate.| 11 | Make it a joy to be organised. There are crisp, new pages waiting to be filled in this weekly planner designed by new Danish studio NOTEM. £18, Nabo.| 12 | For the most devoted tea and coffee lovers, Stelton's To Go Click Flask has a snazzy 360 click lid, so you can drink from any angle. £24.95, Tea And Kate.| 13 | The gift that keeps on giving - an Elle Decoration magazine subscription for the interiors lover for 5 issues, delivered to their door each month.Keep your eyes peeled for my next two Christmas gift edits - under £100 and £300 coming up...

Kip Hotel | The Monochrome London Hotel

If monochrome interiors are your bag, you might want to check out Kip Hotel, Hackney's newest hip, urban location. Last week I did just that with friend and fellow blogger Hege In France so that we could hit the London Design Fair nice and early. The week of the London Design Festival is always a manic one with so much to see!Opened in March 2016 and designed by brothers Mike and Ross Baxter, Kip is a low cost, stylish alternative for travellers wanting to experience design without expense. Whilst travelling up and down to London scouting a location for their new venture, the brothers came up against the problem of the lack of affordable accommodation. As a solution, they ended up building this into the philosophy of the Kip hotel...

Essentially our concept for the hotel was to create well-designed accommodation at an affordable price. We genuinely believe that stylish choices and smart design don't necessarily have to come at a premium price - if you can design out the 'overpriced' bits and focus on improving the end product and staying true to your original ethos and vision.

With 105 rooms available, ranging from bijou Kip cabins, studios, bunk rooms for 'Kip Friends' and a Penthouse, you're right in the heart of Hackney, on the doorstep of Hackney Central station. The decor is super sharp, clean lines with plywood and wire furniture. There are little touches of lush jungle print, large graphic signage and a scrolling Instagram screen that moves with you in the lift. Rates start at £65 for a Kip Cabin (shared bathroom and no window) up to a six bunk Kip For Friends with en-suite and lounge area at £189. Perfect for the odd one nighter in the city for work or play.Our minimal 'Kip Buddy' room came with a small shower en-suite with a sliding barn door, a desk space and TV. The beds are super comfy, underneath each bed is a handy drawer on casters for storage and there are plenty of hooks on the walls with a floor length mirror. There are no frills here, so whilst you can't roll out of bed straight into breakfast, there's plenty of stylish cafes on the doorstep. Coffee and tea is also available 24hrs a day at reception should you fancy a 3am kick.Kip Hotel | 2 Aspland Grove, Hackney, E8 1JW | #getsomekip

Photography © Tiffany Grant-Riley