Willows Wardrobe

Feeling distressed? Don’t worry, we have the perfect solution for your home, the shabby chic look! Choose furniture that’s already distressed and you need never worry about keeping everything looking perfect. A lived in home is a relaxed home and a relaxed home is a happy one! Choose from our wonderful range of distressed, vintage or weathered furniture to create a look that is both comfortable and inviting.

Turn your bedroom into an old-fashioned boudoir with our distressed antique cream French Chantelle bed and top it off with our wonderful range of cushions to complete the shabby chic look; neutral colours, subtle floral decoration and fabulous natural cotton and linen. Hang your clothes from this lovely Rustic Roses door hook.

If you love the distressed and shabby look then our vintage leather sofa and armchair is perfect for you. It’s the epitome of relaxed style. The gorgeous brown leather is already wonderfully aged so your family can do their worst to it without fear, just sit back and relax.

In the kitchen or dining room our weathered natural oak extending dining table is a beautiful addition to any relaxed environment. Anyone would be forgiven for mistaking it for a family heirloom. Don’t forget to top it all off with a vintage style chandelier for the ultimate in French shabby chic.

Why not create an instant vintage kitchen with our beautifully simple French Rustic dresser or drawer and shelf unit, or you could give your hallway the shabby chic touch with the matching hanger and wall storage or storage bench. Organization has never looked so chic!

Why not treat your garden to a touch of French shabby chic style too with this wonderfully ornate iron bench? It will look as if it’s been there for years. Plant some French lavender next to it and drift off to your Provencal daydream world. Leave your worries far behind you!

Gothic Drama

Sweetpea & Willow are embracing the dark side this spring with an eclectic ‘Baroque/Gothic meets Victorian Vampire’ collection. I am loving this deeply dramatic look. The ‘Designer collection’ section of the website is over flowing with the most opulent storage pieces all available in this season’s must have shades of purple, black and jewelled colours. Taking influences from original French Baroque antiques, all of this furniture is hand-carved from the finest woods and given a pre-loved specialist paint finish.

This Gothic trend lends itself really well to bedrooms.

Sweetpea & Willow create a truly sensuous boudoir with this gorgeous carved Victorian black four poster bed styled with the most desirable dressing table, carved screen, French armoire and decorative chandelier.
(Best news is that the 4 poster is now in the sale at £914).

And don’t forget a chaise in case of swooning!!

This look is such fun; you can be really creative and add as many layers as you like to create interest. Dark painted walls work well, go for the darkest shade of blue or green (Farrow and Ball have some fab shades) Make some drama and add lots of black Venetian mirrors grouped together with portraits in ornate frames(I particularly like old gilt against these dark walls). Have moody low lighting with lots of lamps scattered around the room.

Seems like every Interiors feature is recommending Antlers at the moment. So Rudolph is finally having a fashion moment!

Sweetpea & Willow are making a nod to the trend (see the door hooks section). I am loving this lamp with its antler base

and this really wild mirror which is great for an English Eccentrics or a country house look.

For something that still buys into the trend but is a bit happier in an urban setting have a look at our Little Devil chrome horns.
To fit in with this outdoorsy trend, I have a lovely Reindeer Rug that I got from therealrugcompany.co.uk in front of my fireplace (will move it on Xmas eve-don’t want to offend Father Xmas) Styled with a glamorous chandelier I think it’s total decadence!

Anne Ashworth, The Times, wrote a really good piece about the appeal of Antlers. Reassuring to find that they are shed by deer once a year and then regrown. Michelle Ogundehin, Editor of Elle Deco said that the appeal of antlers is “hankering after older things, the nostalgic and the cosy, for the authentic and natural”

I also saw a really funky way of buying into the trend with a trophy deer head wall sticker but not sure where it came from. Maybe you could try painting your own.

Tata for now
Jillyx

Love Autumn

Love this time of year! Clocks have gone back, so extra hour in bed, bliss! Halloween and lots of sweeties to confiscate from children, a result on two fronts! Other lovely things, crunchy orange leaves, hot toddies, slow cooking, Fitflop snuggle boots, making a Christmas wish list, and of course changing the decor to an Autumn/Winter look!

Autumn Décor
Easy to switch the décor into winter mode just scatter new cushions in jewel colours and put comfortable throws on the sofas’. See sweet pea and willow lush blanche throw in a very autumnal berry colour.
Lighting becomes more important as the evenings get darker; chandeliers cast a very forgiving light with a sparkle that makes a room very glamorous. Side lamps also make a room cosy, so put lots around on side tables as well as behind furniture to up light.
We have a few total bargains in the chandelier section, this is my favourite Black glass with 10 arms at a really amazing £365.

Thought it was great value before at £465 so am very tempted, just have to find room for it somewhere.

Would like it for my boudoir to go with the marrianne black rattan bed.

Sweetpeaandwillow globe chandelier is now only £245. This is one of the top sellers and has been recommended by lots of interiors magazines. They make a real statement when hung together as pictured, although you would need a pretty huge room to do that. Three placed over a kitchen island would be tres chic. The Sweetpea & Willow kew fossil wash chandelier is reduced by £50.

This is a classic chandelier and will never date; it complements our painted French furniture perfectly. Would look great with the classical white rattan bed or equally stunning over any of our dining tables.

Candle light is the most romantic and flattering way to light a room although not always awfully practical! I love this candelabra which has an authentically antique feel. Would be really magnificent in a formal dining room.

Ta ta for now

Jillyxx

100% design

Went to the 100% design show yesterday, part of London design week this show is always really inspirational.
Everyone was very upbeat and despite the recent credit crunch, there were a lot of fab new and witty designs that made me smile!
How about this prickly Louis chair for a bit a foolishness?

Colours for next year. If you’re planning a major makeover, make a refinement on this season’s bright pink, yellow and purple. I am thinking cushions and lampshades in mustard, ballet shoe pink and dark grey, my favourites new cols. Or go all out with some amazing statement pieces. At Sweetpea & Willow we have authentic reproduction French Antique style pieces that absolutely fit next seasons colours. Here are a couple from our Designer collection-
Mademoiselle Hettie console table £975


Rose bombe chest £2 645
I like that wood and craftsmanship are becoming more appreciated. Sweetpea & Willow have always loved the craftsmanship of French furniture and we are introducing new oak furniture for a simpler aesthetic.

Oak armchair £170
See our upholstery service for a way to create your own style, make something that you can love and appreciate forever.

Recycling and re using in other forms was also BIG. This is great, we support the furniture re use network. You can pass your used furniture on to someone who needs it and help the environment by making less landfill, a win win!

Tata for now
Jilly xx

Love September! Time to get loads of new decorating ideas at 100% Design and Decorex.

Have been looking at how furniture trends follow fashion. The 1980’s have been influencing fashion for a couple of seasons now and the trend has filtered down to interiors. Here are a few pieces to help you achieve the look from Sweetpea & Willow.
This chaise Longue or sofa absolutely epitomises the decade of excess with its yuppy pinstripe and exaggerated shoulders!

White velvet,silver studs….total luxury! White Studded Loft Armchair.

The trend for metallic continues and is updated with high shine making way for matt finishes and copper putting in an appearance. Try out different metallic finishes and metallic shades together for a more informal, eclectic scheme. Or mix with jewel colours for a precious and opulent finish. Sounds a trifle over the top I know but why not indulge yourself?

This rossetti silver chest has a stylish deco form that makes it stand out.

The Nordic grey collection has been a huge success for Sweetpea & Willow. We will be in lots of our favourite magazines with this collection in the next couple of months, so have a look to see how the home editors have styled it to get tips for your own home.

TaTa

Jillyx