Growing Spaces

New love: my fiddle leaf fig (ficus lyrata)

New love: my fiddle leaf fig (ficus lyrata)

As birthday presents go, this was a parcel that was hard to beat – a huge box, with a few tantalising leaves poking out of the box – inside was the most gorgeous fiddle leaf fig tree (ficus lystrata). It was a gift from my lovely mother-in-law (she sourced this beauty from The Palm Centre), and I was over the moon because I have wanted to add a fiddle leaf fig tree to my plant family for absolutely ages. Having got my green-fingered confidence up over the last couple of years tending lots of succulents and other low-maintenance houseplants such…

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Interiors focus: Giggling Squid in Wokingham

Interiors focus: Giggling Squid in Wokingham

Ben and I had a rare evening out together on Saturday when we enjoyed a meal at Thai hotspot Giggling Squid – newly opened in Wokingham. The restaurant has been completely transformed from its previous dark and cavernous incarnation – the atmosphere is cosy but airy, and the place has a buzz about it that makes you feel instantly at home. I love picking up interior inspiration from spaces such as bars, restaurants and shops, and Giggling Squid has plenty to offer in the way of ideas. I was lucky enough to have some time to chat to Giggling Squid’s owner Pranee before Christmas…

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The Wool BnB: Decorating with wool

The Wool BnB: Decorating with wool

Talk about cosying up for autumn. This amazing house in De Beauvoir Town, London, has been completely decked out in wool by The Campaign for Wool. Everything is made from wool, from the interiors to the fashion. I got a sneak preview earlier this week – the colours are bold, the design is vibrant and striking (this wooly world was designed and curated by uber interiors stylist Karina Garrick), and the best news is that the Wool BnB is open right now to celebrate Wool Week 2016, with a whole host of wooly events and activities bookable via EventBrite, from craft…

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{I love} Bare bricks, plaster and concrete

{I love} Bare bricks, plaster and concrete

There’s something so magic about a newly plastered wall. The way it transforms the surface, the potential it offers, the excitement about the creation of a brand new space. I marvel at the skill of plasterers – they make it look easy, but having seen my own husband give it a go I can confirm that it is much, much harder than it looks. And it’s not only bare plaster I love. It’s bare bricks, rough wood, polished concrete. It’s their texture, plus the way they add an industrial feel to a space. Sometimes I daydream about living in a…

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A few days from a finished en suite

A few days from a finished en suite

In case you missed it, here’s the original post where I vlogged in the shower…

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