Bespoke Country House Parties

So, last year I stumbled across this company that throws bespoke country house parties in the beautifully charming Cotswolds. It just so happens that one of the partners' in this retreat is  Sophie Conran (yes, that Conran, daughter of the great Terence). Man, it must be in their blood to be so entreprenuerial and also so talented. This family rocks !


And so does this place ! Temple Guiting is actually owned by a fellow called Steven Collins. Steven decided that he wanted to convert this family property into an investment. Smart man. Together with the famed Sophie Conran they have created this gorgeous retreat for anybody (which is semi affordable if you don't mind saving for a year and not take another holiday for another year --- the weekend rates will make you gulp a little) to hold your own private country party (just like the wealthy Edwardians did). 


Sounds good to me.You name it. It can be organized. They have experts from a varied and wide set of backgrounds. Hmmmm.....want to do a little fly fishing ? No problem. Always wanted to spend an afternoon baking artisinal breads ? No problemo. How about hot air ballooning, wine tasting, jam making, shooting, learning to play bridge/poker ?  It's covered. And of course, my favourite......the floristry course.


All this, and in the most gorgeous setting. The accomodation is to die for. Heck who cares about the activities. I just want to go and hang out....go for long country walks, read by a roaring fire, eat wonderful meals, drink great wine and sleep in the most sumptuous bedrooms ever !

Of course, there's always the  National Trust  or the  Landmark Trust  if you're not in need of so much pampering but still want to have that great country house/manor  experience. I think this is more my speed and more of what my wallet can handle. But if money were not an object........ then here I come Temple Guiting. Just for the weekend only.

More pictures and definitely more info on their website.

Baby, it's COLD outside !

Yep, as I write this on a quiet, beautiful Sunday morning, the temperature outside sits at -20 celsius dipping to -33 with the wind chill factor ! Ooooh yes, welcome to Canada. But I love it. The sky is a sparkly blue, the air is crisp, snow everywhere and there is a stillness that I find soothing. Mind you, you must be dressed for it and even then one needs to be careful. It can be dangerous at these temperatures.

But enough of winter, let's get onto dreams and fantasy holidays. Last year I stumbled upon a gorgeous website www.absolute-escape.com. I think I came upon it through the British newspaper The Telegraph.
Anyway, in the Property section there was an article about an interior designer who was selling Mas St Esteve, his home in the south of France with all of its' furnishings as part of the deal. Gosh, I wish I could recall the fellow's name but I can't. Sorry.

I don't know if he ever sold it or decided to hang on and rent it out but it's definitely for rent. For the modest sum of $10,000 per week (well it does accomodate 12 people - so that's not too bad) you can
enjoy this handsomely restored farmhouse located near the village of Isle sur la Sorgue also known as the "Venice of Provence". Have a drool, umm, I mean look ....

What a pretty sitting room. Imagine having a lovely cup of tea with a great book in hand. I love the sofa and the rustic jar filled with garden roses. 

Champagne lunch anyone ? I think a semi formal setting like this is so chic for a casual but elegant lunch. Oh, did I mention that it can be arranged for a Michelin star chef to be on staff should you not care for the "self catering" approach ?

Errr, can't quite read the label. Something about a ......... -du-Pape. Must be a local wine of some sort. The cheeses look scrumptious and the beautifully monogrammed napkins -- classic.

The kitchen has a lovely open, contemporary feel. It think it's quite big.

Nicely styled.

Nearby vineyard

Quintessential Provence view

The farmhouse at night. The Plane trees are magnificent. Have a look at the first photo for a better view.

Very old world. The curtains look very sumptuous.

                            

A favourite shot - a pretty, summery bouquet of chamomile flowers in a classic Provencal jug.

And of course we can't leave out the swimmimg pool. A much needed refreshing dip to keep the heat at bay.

Unfortunately I couldn't nab photos of the bedrooms, so if you want to check out the accomodation you'll need to go online.

Oh, and just in case Mas Ste Esteve doesn't suit, Absolute Escape also has two properties in Verbier, Switzerland for all you ski types and one property in Marrakech, Morrocco for a hit of exotica.

The Bolt Hole.....

Phewww...we have just finished a very busy week at Wild thyme.

We have been most fortunate to be part of some wonderful celebrations over the past few months. We certainly have no complaints, as it has been busy. However, whenever I start to feel really stressed and overworked, I try to relax and and think about all of the amazing places I will visit when time and circumstances allow. Very often, I just want to get out of Dodge, slow right down and just hide away in a lovely place for a week.

In Britain, they call it a "bolt hole". I love the term. Because that's exactly what you want to do....bolt and hide.

A few years ago I stumbled upon Callakille Cottage on the west coast of Scotland, via the internet.

The cottage is 50 yards from the beach and located on one of Scotland's most scenic stretches of coast, with views across to the Isle of Skye.

The interior is extremely charming, stylishly appointed and romantic.

I love the branches and the Roberts radio on the window sill. Ahh yes, music quietly playing or maybe I'd be catching up with The Archers on BBC radio 4.

The deerskin hide, the dark laquered floors and the simple bedding and pillows make the room feel inviting, rather than dowdy.

I would easily de-stress in this room. It's bright and simple. I can just picture myself with a cup of tea, some toast, comfie "jammies" and a few Persephone books to lose myself in. Love it !

Callakille cottage belongs to online entrepreneur Rosie Brown. Rosie has great taste and has an incredible eye and talent for sourcing the best of Scotland's artists and artisans. And no, it's not all shortbread and tartan kilts !

Oh, by the way, this is the bag I would have with me at Callakille Cottage. I find it rather chic and classic. Great for town visits.

So practical AND stylish !

For those long, long walks when one gets thirsty. Very tasteful.

And, oh my, we can't forget our wellies. Much needed in Scotland.

via flickr

I love the idea of deer antlers on the mantle. Very hip and gorgeous.

Oooh, this blanket looks divine. Check it out on Papa Stour.

I'm totally into hot water bottles. This one would be perfect for Callakille Cottage !

The Welcoming Committee! Sweet!

By the way, if anyone has stayed here or is planning to visit, we'd love to hear from you as we're are thinking of booking for 2010 sometime.

Toast by Post......and email

I am such a big fan of  TOAST , a British based (Wales to be precise) fashion company. I first discovered them whilst living in London about 10 years ago and at the time they only had a catalogue. Now they have shops inside Selfridges, as well as a website. Their website used to be called www.toastbypost.co.uk which I thought was adorable. It was sooo British. But perhaps they felt most people wouldn't remember such a delightful phrase. So, now it's just www.toast.co.uk.

Anyway, their catalogues are superb. I used to have quite a collection of them until we decided to do some renovating. Then, very reluctantly, I took a deep, deep breath and purged many of my magazines (my obsession with magazines is quite disturbing) along with the gorgeous TOAST catalogues. Needless to say...I wish I hadn't !

Each season, they pick the most beautiful and evocative locations for their photo shoots. The first winter issue I received was shot in and around a very old alpine hut in the French Alps. The following summer issue was shot on some islands off the coast of Sweden. And yet another issue was photographed in Lapland and the following summer on some isolated part of Sardinia. 

The models are always so lovely. They wear the clothes beautifully.

They'll usually have only two models for the whole photo shoot and the layout of the catalogue is set up to reveal a bit of a story. Whether it's a hot, dry summer on the islands or a local circus act and its cast of characters, or the romantic warmth of an Alpine refuge.

And of course the clothes are really gorg.....Anyway, enough writing, here are some snippets from the most recent catalogue......

What a great outfit for a walk on a windy, coolish September day at the beach. I'm thinking.... west coast of Scotland, maybe somewhere along the coast of Maine, Nova Scotia...any other suggestions for lively walks on a beach ?

O.K....doesn't this look so comfy and fashionable at the same time ? I think it's all in the cinching at the waist and the lovely casual look of her hair. The boots are the best - loving the half calf length ! The cardi is quite lovely too.

I love this outfit ! Her chapeau...fabulous. The boots...the best. The scarf...cosy and still on trend. And the hot pink arm warmers...yes, it works ! The boyfriend ? Unfortunately, not so hot. 

The bold shot of orange is spot on. Again, the boots are fab, and the royal blue arm warmers...nice touch.

Well, what can I say ? She's gorgeous. It's a gorgeous colour and I say frame it and hang it in the living room.

This is such a pretty, sophisticated yet simple look. It's dressy and casual. I love the dangley look of the necklace. I think it gives the outfit an artsy vibe.

The jolt of yellow from the necklace against the royal blue is a very nice surprise. Do you agree ? 

I just think this is very sweet and I love that they have labeled the arm warmers as arm/leg warmers. I guess her arms and legs are of equal size ? A bit scary.....

Great look for those days when you just have to go into town !

Oh, and lastly, I love the name TOAST. It's gives such a cosy, easy going feeling. 

The New Bohemians

This photograph has always captured my imagination.

from House and Garden 2002

The rustic setting with it's rough hewn table and mismatched chairs are very charming. I love how they have used simple ivy vine to drape the mantel and table adding some drama to the room. Yet it still has an air of elegance about it.

The home belongs to concert pianists, The Labeque Sisters, Katia and Marielle. This is their Tuscan getaway. It totally captivates me. The story of the house comes from a back issue of House and Garden and the article started with.....

"The remains of a memorable Indo-Russian-Tuscan inspired dinner (and several bottles of burgundy) were scattered among the silver ware and flowers on the wooden table. The rain had stopped and the warm damp air from the enclosed garden was filled with the sweet scent of Olea fragrans and the sumptuous wisteria spreading its ancient tentacles over the seventeenth century loggia. Katia Labeque, beautiful in a richly embroidered ottoman gown, sat at her Steinway and began to play, softly at first, a sensual interpretation of a Chopin nocturne".

And on it went........I was transported to an idyllic place......

"Soon Katia moved from Brahms waltzes to Hungarian dances, and later with the support of Marco Postinghel on the bassoon and Guido Corti playing the French horn, she ventured into jazz".

The villa is outstanding. The sisters love to incorporate luxurious items into everyday living.

The table is set with 18th century pewter plates and 19th century silverware. The villa and its' furnishings were sourced or produced by famed antiques collector and interior decorator Axel Vervoordt.  By the way, I love the mandolin motif on the napkin. Don't you ?

As Katia says " I'm not interested in living in a museum where all the good silverware is stacked away and no one dares to drink from ancient glassware......One needs to be respectful of precious objects, but they must be enjoyed".

I love the beautiful mix of modern and antique in this room . The combination is superb. A contemporary sofa and chair by Axel Vervoordt complement an 18th century Venetian mirror and 18th century wine table. In the background an antique Venetian mirror front cabinet. The simple wooden stools and sisal carpeting complete the look.

What a gorgeous view. Oh, to have tea here in the morning or a lovely aperitif in the evening. Wouldn't you love to be a guest at this romantic, soulful house ?

Be still my beating heart......

If you are not familiar with the Labeque sisters, here's a quick intro. 

Update: I  know Madonna's attitude is a bit patronising, but what can I say ? She's being Madonna ! I highly recommend a visit to the Labeque sisters website as well as other You Tube concert videos (which are a bit longer).