Living Beautifully in the Red Hills

We are venturing bravely into this new year together, aren't we? Well, grab yourself a cup of something hot, and let's sit down for a chat!

This January, something that I have noticed repeatedly when listening to friends, reading magazines, and perusing my favorite accounts on Instagram is that we all want to slow down this year and be present.

We want to really pay attention the world around us, really BE and EXIST in it, and to do things that make us feel real and have a positive impact on others.

As with everyone, the turning of the calendar to a new year always causes me to reflect on the past 12 months.

And I am oh-so-grateful for what 2025 gave us!

From starting the year in London (complete with Chris and me taking communion in Westminster Abbey on January 1st) to bringing oodles of amazing people to Thomasville, this was a year of blessings upon blessings:

Something that I have noticed about the "stiff upper lipped" British is that they do indeed like to infuse unexpected pops of joy into their rooms.

Decorating with whimsy is the third element that, to me, is essential to creating timeless English-style decor. (The first is to actually live in your rooms, and the second is to bring nature in to your interiors.)

If you have been hesitant to add bits of whimsy to your home, the (gloriously!) imminent Christmas season is the perfect time to dip your toe in!

One of the first things I ever noticed about how the English decorate, especially in countryside cottages, is their love of animals and the nature that surrounds them.

Peek into any English decor book or lifestyle magazine (like Country Living UK Edition or Period Living, two of my faves) or watch any British home show (like Location, Location, Location or Escape to the Country) and you'll see furry friends on a pillow here, an art print there, in kitchen cabinets, and on tabletops.

The first and biggest lesson I've learned is to actually LIVE in your rooms! Your home is not just for show. It is for dwelling in.

So, please do keep stacks of books and magazines (that you really read) on tables ~ and have piles of throw pillows that you don't mind someone squishing (no matter how much you spent on them!), as well as things like an artist easel in the corner, an ongoing game of Scrabble left out, and on and on...

She had enjoyed her visit with us at our shop the previous holiday season, she said.

Then she continued, "I'm calling because I thought you'd be a wonderful person to ask: when would be the best time to visit Thomasville again this year?"

I have to say that I was chuffed and honored to be asked. I gladly told her about my favorite weekends and events in Thomasville.

Because I knew if they were mine, they would be hers too.

"Chronos is clocks, deadlines, watches, calendars, agendas, schedules. Chronos is time at her worst.... Chronos is the world's time."

Kairos, on the other hand, "is transcendence, infinity, reverence, joy.... Kairos is time at her best. Kairos lets go.... We exist in chronos. We long for kairos."

Mindfulness. Being absorbed. Turning off the TV and the notifications. Turning on classical music. Letting your mind wander. Sketching, painting. Just like when we were children.

What is also so very October and autumnal are the rich designer fabrics that Jenny showed me. She has been gathering them for the curated collection debuting at our event on October 18th.

Lovely items made of luxurious velvet bees, nubbly tweeds, and classic William Morris fabrics are heading to our shop next week, and I absolutely cannot wait for you to see what Jenny has turned them into, all perfect for fall and holiday decorating and gift giving.

Perplexed when we first moved in as to what to do to create more counter and storage space, we took inspiration from English cottage kitchens and decided to make use of freestanding furniture. I scoured my favorite English magazines, Pinterest, and my own discovery journals for ideas.

As luck would have it, the previous owners of our home had some dining room pieces that they no longer wanted, so I made them an offer. And we started painting.

In 2016, on our first trip to the Cotswolds, Chris and I stayed with friends in a cottage called Longwood House in the picturesque village of Lower Oddington (and yes, there is indeed an Upper Oddington) near Stow-on-the-Wold and Moreton-in-Marsh.

One detail that I fell in LOVE with was the dishware that we dined on for all three meals. That kitchen was fully kitted out with (new-to-me at the time) Emma Bridgewater pottery.

"Oh, I'm so glad you're here! I am having a lavender emergency!"

These words coming from over my shoulder almost startled me on a lovely morning a few years ago as I turned the key and heard the familiar jingle of the bells hanging on the shop door...

What do I like about a hurkle-durkle morning? For me, it's a great time to grab a cup of coffee, nestle in, and catch up on journaling, reading, and even doing the crossword (which is the main reason I subscribe to get the newspaper delivered - no digital puzzles for me!)And, sometimes simply daydreaming is in order! Seriously, some of my most creative ideas for the business or for home projects come when my mind is free to wander within four cozy walls.