Happy Holidays

Thank you all for your kind words, comments and emails of support and shared enthusiasm during 2010. I've been fortunate enough to meet, and work, with some hugely inspiring people throughout the last twelve months, as well as striking up new friendships along the way. I'm already looking forward to meeting back here in January, but in the meantime have a fantastic time and enjoy the festivities of the season. Will x

Elle Decoration, January 2011

Elle Decoration get the shelter magazine market off to a cracking start with their first issue of 2011. A fabulous feast of inspiring visuals await, friends. Expect to find an eclectic range of home tours, including: a stunning midcentury modern home in Auckland; the fun and upbeat space of artist Anne Tholstrup; and, detailed peeks inside homes in Melbourne, New York, Berlin, Kyoto and Helsinki. Plus, there are plenty of seasonal ideas, from surviving winter in style to storage solutions and suggestions for relaxation. I've picked out some of the editorials that stood out for me; what catches your eye?

Elle Decoration

Six Ideas For Your Holiday Tabletops

Many of us are gearing up for a celebratory dinner in a few days, whilst some of us are looking for New Year's Eve party sidetable ideas, but let's face it, this week is traditionally pretty manic. So, why not take inspiration for your holiday tablescape from one of these six looks. I've opted for the rustic and welcoming look because it's stylish, but not too loud. Rather, it's simple paper chains and candles in empty bottles - which have been festooned with spare baubles - create a table that guests will feel comfortable to sit around. Plus, with time being tight, it's probably the quickest of all the looks to whip together. Group together the four key elements - bottles, candles, paper chains and spare decorations - and there you have it: the perfect table for festive celebrations. Which of these six looks do you like best?

Photography by Adrian Briscoe | Styling by Suzanne Stankus | Originally in edition by John Lewis

Home Tour: The Work of Anna Spiro

Rarely do I come across a home that I would move straight into and not wish to change a thing, but this feeling is certainly true of this stunning home designed by Anna Spiro. I enjoyed every little detail; the preppy brights of the dining room chairs immediately called out to my colour-loving eyes, whilst the fresh white walls and graphic textiles quickly confirmed my affections for the space. Gentle festive touches appear in the form of yarned reindeers and the black, white and grey colourway of the upholstery and curtains tick the must-have-stripes box! All-in-all, for me, this is a thoroughly inspiring home.

Anna Spiro

10 Things I Learned & Loved This Weekend

1. Kicking through deep snow drifts is one of life's simplest but greatest pleasures.

2. A mix of thick mist, heavy snow and a slowly setting sun makes for a very romantic walk.

3. Obligatory jumping photo (it had to be done, even if I do look like a frog!).

4. This part of our walk felt like Narnia.

5. The best snowman I've seen since I was a child.

6. The simplicity of these greetings cards blew me away.

7. I love this chap's outfit.

8. Interflora sent me this gorgeous flower arrangement, complete with mistletoe, winter berries and a mirrored base. Thank you!

9. I'm keeping fingers crossed for some polka dot tape in my stocking!

10. Thanks to the charming gang over at West Elm, I'm now the proud winner of these two clocks.

Sunday's Bright Links

1 | 2 | 3

Enjoyed this video of the snow in Montmartre, Paris.

Making a typographical print.

A new perspective on New York City.

A mountain wedding.

What Katie Ate - holiday magazine.

A free podcast from Kelly Hoppen.

Central Park's first snow of the season.

Happy Weekend

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If there was ever a photograph taken that was designed to bring instant festive cheer, then this has to be it. We've had more snow over here in the UK; I'm looking out of the window to see the branches on the trees struggling with the extra weight of the fresh snowfall. It sure does look like Narnia out there (fingers crossed we'll still have snow on the ground for Christmas day!). Have a lovely weekend, friends.

Three Last Minute Decor Ideas

It's this last week leading up to Christmas that I enjoy the most. Am I bonkers? Perhaps! There is something intoxicating about the way festivities kick up a gear as the holiday season heads towards it's climax. Whilst I enjoy this time of year, it's often very busy (I've yet to complete my Christmas shopping and this weekend we're hosting a friend's Christmas!) so I've pulled together three quick and simple ideas to last minute decorating. Although I do love the bauble clusters (isn't ice blue and red such a refreshing colour combo?) I have to admit that the mug surprises are my favourite idea. Great fun for kids and adults alike, filling mugs with sweets wrapped in jewel coloured wrappers, and hanging with leftover ribbons brings festive charm and whimsy to banisters.

1 | 2 | 3

Decorating with Crates

It seems crates are enjoying their moment in the spotlight; their en vogue status shows no sign of waining. Will they have the staying power of the chevron or the stripe? Well, who knows? One thing's for sure, I'm totally buying into this rustic, quirky, farmhouse-meets-loft style of decorating. I've pulled together various different ways of using crates, from office storage to shed chic, demonstrating their impressive versatility. Do you have any ideas for using crates to decorate?

1. Loupe Images & Debi Treloar | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

Walther & Co Holiday Collection

I first discovered Walther & Co on Charlotta's blog and have been pretty much smitten ever since. Their holiday collection presents itself in a series of pared vignettes that offer up sepia-toned decorations, ice white accents and shimmering silver candle holders. There is something charming about the simplicity of it all: a casually placed branch, picked up on a winter's walk, becomes the focus of their scheme. The bare-like nature of the branch being the key in the apparent concept that less is more. Despite the ice whites, this collection is still comforting and cosy; those flickering tea lights ooze atmosphere from every angle. What do you like about this pared down approach to holiday decorating?

Walther & Co

Three ways to a stylish kitchen

Looking back over my childhood I often find that many of my happiest memories are from times in the kitchen: playing cards late into the night with my gran; helping my mum cook the Christmas cake in early October (that beast needed time for some serious brandy feeding!); the sound of Carols from Kings playing in the background during our Christmas lunch. Fast forward to present times and not much has changed. Whenever we have friends over, it's the faithful kitchen that often plays host to our most riotous cocktail parties. For me, the kitchen is one of the first rooms I would be keen to decorate in a new home. I've picked out three simple yet striking looks that each inspire in different ways. Do you have a favourite? And, what are your fondest kitchen-based memories?

1. Loupe Images + Simon Brown |  2. Red Cover + Tria Giovan |  3. Narratives + Jan Baldwin

10 Things I Learned & Loved This Weekend

1. A fab trio of pendants in Urban Outfitters.

2. Love the deep blue hues of these elephant ceramics.

3. Speaking of love...isn't this photo heartwarming?!

4. This little chap brings a touch of quirk to our Christmas tree.

5. These are brilliant storage jars.

6. We added some more decorations to our tree so the Christmas jumper came out again!

7. Spotty bow ties are quickly becoming an obsession (this is my third in as many weeks!).

8. Strikes Our Fancy is fast becoming my favourite tumblr blog.

9. My favourite snap from the latest issue of Lonny.

10. I'm super excited to read this book.