July 10 2017 /
Travel Notes
My affinity with the Cornish fishing village of St Mawes began many years ago. My mother’s best friend lived there; we would stay with her and so it naturally became our bucket-and-spade holiday destination when I was just a little girl. I fell in love with it slowly. I was too young to appreciate it for all that I do now. Today, I believe I admire St Mawes for all that it is – a place of rugged beauty, the bold, the brave, the bountiful.
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June 08 2017 /
We Love
About ten years or so ago, I was fortunate enough to meet somebody called Joe Verrecchia. He is a garden designer and consultant who has worked with me on the grounds of our studio, The White Hart. When I look back at old photographs, I can easily recall standing there, on this unloved tarmac car park, and feeling both a mixture of despair at what a state it was in, but also utter excitement about all of the ideas that were buzzing away in my mind.
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May 09 2017 /
This is How
In the world of interiors, I find that contemporary is a term which means different things to different people. In its clearest sense, you can expect smooth, and often glossy, facades and a strong emphasis on clean lines and sharp angles. Abstract forms, striking profiles and minimalism are currently typical of the contemporary movement too. But the thing with contemporary design is that, by nature, it is ever-changing.
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March 24 2017 /
We Love
If you’ve been browsing the Interiors section of our website, you may have noticed that wood forms an integral part of our vision. Though I believe that the word ‘integral’ doesn’t necessarily equate to large scale use. Sometimes that may be so, but sometimes it’s the smaller elements, or the most unassuming of aspects, that are most worthy of such a description. Wood can fall into any of these scenarios, but it’s absolutely always integral.
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February 22 2017 /
This is How
The term ‘antique’ is so frequently referred to in the world of interior design, but quite often, without a true sense of certainty as to its meaning.
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January 26 2017 /
Living
Every morning, my husband and I try and go for a walk together. In the week we only have time to do our 45-minute circuit which takes us through the valley by our house, along the river, and over the ridge before we circle back home. I find it the most invigorating way to start a new day. We return and enjoy our bowls of porridge that have been slowly brewing in the bottom of our faithful AGA.
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December 22 2016 /
Style
Recently, I was fortunate enough to go on a little trip to two European cities that have been on my must-visit list for a while: Stockholm and Copenhagen. I try to go on at least one design trip a year to a new location with a very small team so we can explore new cultures, aesthetics, and design movements to think up new ideas. I’ll then reflect on what I’ve seen and wonder whether there are aspects that I’d like to apply to our interior design projects.
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November 21 2016 /
Travel Notes
Italy is one of mine and my family’s all-time favourite places. Tuscany is the region that we frequent the most, but not so long ago we decided to go back to Capri, the little island in the Bay of Naples. It’s where we discovered the simply divine hotel that is J.K.Place.
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October 14 2016 /
Design Tips
As we welcome crisp autumnal evenings, homes around the country are being lit up from within as we reach for light switches. There’s nothing like a chilly and dark evening to make you realise how big a difference good lighting can make to your home. Lighting is not merely functional – it is a vital part of creating atmosphere and making a space feel welcoming. But just how does one go about achieving the perfect lighting scheme?
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August 17 2016 /
Design Tips
During a recent interview, a journalist asked me how we translate a country look for the city. The question came about because although Sims Hilditch is known for designing country houses our work is just as much in demand by clients with city homes. It got me thinking about the differences and similarities between city and country living and how we address those when we design.
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July 20 2016 /
Interior Architecture
Interior architecture is a bit of a buzz word at the moment. It's one of the areas in which we specialise, however, we've found that not many people know what it is or understand why it is important.
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June 27 2016 /
Design Tips
There's nothing like antique pieces, often inherited, to make a country house feel like home.
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