Willow sculptures

Willow is an amazing natural material as I have discovered recently. While researching the use of willow in living garden structures such as tunnels and domes I came across Caroline Gregson’s lovely work. She uses coppiced willow, some of which she grows and harvests locally, to create really beautiful animal sculptures.

‘I have loved and been inspired by the natural world since I was a child,’ says Caroline, ‘and the ability to make willow sculptures representing the essence of animals, birds and other living forms now brings me great pleasure.’

I  think they would make a talking point in a country garden…

Willow deer and fawn from Caroline Gregson

Crafts, food, books, design

I’ve been really looking forward to sharing this fabulous, multi-layered blog with you. Created by Londoner Rohini Wahi, The Beat That My Heart Skipped is a visually stunning collection of her favourite things, which include inspirational crafts and design, great books she’s read, irresistible recipes and beautiful, beautiful photographs. There are interviews with crafty types (My Inside Life) and even travel guides (Notes From) – it’s an online treasure trove. I love it.

A charming Valentine’s idea:

Tea for your Valentine from The Beat That My Heart Skipped

Cath Kidston’s Make!

As you know, we all love making and creating pretty things here at Country Homes & Interiors and I suspect many of you who read this blog are just the same. So you can imagine the buzz of excitement when we had a look at the preview copy of Cath Kidston’s new Make! book. Out this week – 5 Feb – you’ll find 30 cheerful home furnishings projects and designs in this lovely book. Happy sewing!

Cath Kidston's new Make!

Garden tidy

I have been itching to get out into the garden and have a good old tidy up. And the beautifully cold but sunny weather this weekend, gave me the opportunity to don my ancient gardening coat and sneak out for an hour. Before I knew it I was happily hacking away at our enormous phormium (that just seems to get bigger and bigger), clearing beds of ancient leaves, trimming back grasses and pulling up the skeletons of last year’s tomatoes. The garden now looks ready for the year to come…

Funnily enough everyone I chatted to this weekend, also had similar ideas. My friend Karen is planning a new look to her cottage front garden; Janine is yearning for bright orange cannas in her borders; Louisa is hankering after an outdoor sofa for her deck area.

With signs in the night sky that Spring is moving into the Northern Hemisphere and the birds starting to sing in the morning, I sense a little bit of Spring fever entering our veins.

Ooohh how exciting!

Bird worry

I don’t know about you but I have been worrying about the birds. During the snow a couple of weeks ago, all manner of birds were hopping around in our garden looking for things to eat. Our garden table has become an enormous bird bowl covered in apples, bits of leftover cake, pasta or rice for the robins, tits and blackbirds. I am pleased that is has become slightly warmer for them now. I saw this Solar Panel Bird Box from The Balcony Gardener and thought it was great idea.

This Dutch-designed eco-friendly birdhouse is made from meranti wood. During the day sunlight feeds the solar panels in the roof, charging a small battery inside. Then, at twilight, the transparent stick at the front of the box lights up and casts a welcoming glow over the garden, attracting all manner of night-time snacks for the birds. 

Solar birdhouse from The Balcony Gardener

Discover the My Daddy Cooks blog

I was delighted to read about the wonderful My Daddy Cooks blog in the London Evening Standard on my commute home last Thursday. It’s the brainchild of recently-made-redundant-and-now-stay-at-home dad Nick Coffer who has uploaded videos of himself cooking delicious classics like vegetable frittata, chicken and tarragon hotpot and plum clafoutis. The undoubted star, however, is Nick’s two-year-old son Archie. Due to the somewhat cramped filming conditions in the family kitchen often you can only see Archie’s arm or the top of his chef’s hat – even when he’s standing in his sturdy ‘Fun Pod’ safety chair – but it really doesn’t matter. In fact it all adds to the charm of the pair getting to grips with good food – especially seeing Archie tucking into everything from sea bass to beef chow mein (with chopsticks!)… 

Check out Nick and Archie’s recipes at My Daddy Cooks

Old and new at Cotswold Company

I popped along to see the preview of the Spring/summer ranges from Cotswold Company this morning. This company that prides itself on offering classic country styles has added some new lines, including the Burford bedroom collection and a gorgeous tripod light. The old favourites are still the best-sellers though – I love the Wiltshire Round table, which is hand-crafted in Wiltshire from solid pine. With a turned pedestal base in a soft cream paint finish, it has a natural waxed top with a pull-out extension leaf which allows it to easily seat six. I think it sets the perfect country mood for mealtimes!

Cotswold Company Wiltshire round table, £439

Corals

What a lovely and simple way to freshen up a bathroom window. Coral patterns started appearing on fabrics and accessories a couple of years ago and are set to continue this spring/summer. This roller blind in Coral cream from Novatec is a quick and easy way to brighten up a neglected space. I love the way the light accentuates the coral motif.

Novatec Coral cream roller blind, from £78

Spring yellows

We are all happily working on the Spring issues at the moment, which is heart-lifting with all the grey weather around. I am particularly loving the use of yellow that is popping up everywhere in this year’s fabric and wallpaper collections. Take a look these new fabrics from Vanessa Arbuthnott’s new Meadow collection that use pretty yellows and soft greys. ‘All the good things that I love in the meadows around us – foliage, blossom, butterflies and birds are here,’ she says.

Vanessa Arbuthnott's new Meadow collection

The Make Lounge

I love this pretty purse made by Laura Stimpson at a workshop at The Make Lounge – a great craft studio and shop that offers contemporary workshops in a relaxed setting. You can see more pictures of Laura’s metal frame purses on her blog Well.illbedarned. There are lots of other crafts to try at The Make Lounge, too. Try your hand at jewellery making, learn to sew or decorate cupcakes – it’s a great way to spend an evening learning something new! 

A pretty purse made by Laura Stimpson at The Make Lounge.