'tis the season

Wishing everybody a wonderful Christmas. Here's to 2016!

in the press... homes & gardens january 2016

Yes that's right! It's a dachshund driving a custard yellow convertible. Talking bread sauce and other Christmas wishes in the January issue of Homes & Gardens.

from venice to the kent coast

We spent a couple of nights in Venice a few weekends ago - it was a flying visit - we wanted to escape London and even though we've been to Venice a few times in the past couple of years, we couldn't think of a nicer place to enjoy a few days of good food and quiet rest.

We visited a few places we hadn't had the chance to see before - the Palazzo Fortuny was a highlight, as was the Olivetti Showroom designed by Carlo Scarpa on Piazza San Marco. (I loved the colourful mosaic floors.)

Venice comes alive in the evenings - we drank cocktails at several of our favourite hotel bars. I love the interiors of the Bauer - all dark wood, brass and marble.

Venetian typography - it cannot be beaten!

Ideal colours.

And then, a costal holiday of a different kind. Last weekend we headed east from London, out to the Kent coast. I loved these rows of beach huts lining the grassy shore near Whitstable. (In fact I spent several hours deciding what my own colour scheme would want to be.)

We stayed overnight in nearby Ramsgate, but spent most of our time in Whitstable - exploring and eating (very good calamari and superb sea bass with brown shrimp). I fell in love with the exterior of this charming restaurant. Too perfect!