Celebrity Big Brother

We were avid followers of Celebrity Big Brother this year. All because they asked us to supply some of our elegant french furniture for the house.

( Here is our cream french curved chaise longue)

Naturally we are the first choice for a celebrity lifestyle as we supply lots of famous footballers, pop stars, actors and politicians...who shall all remain nameless!!!

In fact I think that we could do a whole Sweetpea & Willow magazine devoted to the Houses of the rich and famous who have bought from us. A sort of through the keyhole in reverse, guess what this celeb has from Sweetpea & Willow.

Just in case you want to recreate the celebrity style, here are just a few of the pieces that were featured on Big Brother.
Beautiful French chaise for lounging on and gossiping. Glad that Alex avoided rubbing his fake tan all over it.

Reproduction French dressing table for sitting at and contemplating your maquillage.
Authentic Louis chair for glamorous dining.
Shame it’s all over...now I wonder what furniture they want in the' I’m a celeb jungle'!

Tata

Jill

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.

Bring a bit of gothic drama in with a stone bust (ideal if you age it with a bit of lichen!!)

Have loads of sumptuous cushions and throws and don’t forget a screen for hiding behind, in case of vampire visitors.

Tata 4 now

Jillyx

Deer oh Deer

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

New from sweetpea & Willow

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.

Two words that sum up 1980's style...black and designer. Black leather Le Corbusier chaise.

The colour Teal was strong on the runways for this autumn and Sweetpea & Willow have given a nod to this trend with the new Marine collection. Heavily distressed with a seaside vibe this collection is perfect for asummer holiday inspired interior.We have the most desirable storage pieces, sideboards, corner units, chests as well as tables and chairs. In fact everything you could possibly want to furnish a dining room.

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

Sunny days-wicker furniture

Here at Sweetpea & Willow we have been enjoying the beautiful sunny weather-taking picnic lunches in the grounds of Syon House and enjoying watching the boats glide past on the Thames at Richmond. When the skies are blue you really can’t beat London in the summer. Everyone is off en vacances and the City is delightfully relaxed- you can get a table at the restaurant of the moment, walk into the latest plays and get a seat on the underground, love it .
As a deeply fashionable and on trend sort of person Betty is taking a staycation this year and camping in her back garden. Not exactly a hardship as she has a luxury yurt that she has furnished with Sweetpea & Willow rattan furniture
She has the Mocha 2 seater rattan sofa £435 with the matching Mocha rattan armchair £367.
The hanging whicker glider chair gives a bit of relaxed hippy chic, hanging from a pergola. Dining al fresco is a total delight with the Sweetpea & Willow Lloyd loom style dining table and Lloyd loom style dining chairs

.

Betty always has to have some French glamour around her and our Gold gilt emmanuel chaise longue with our tall iron roses candelabra are divinely decadent when positioned in the centre of the yurt.

Lets hope that there aren't any torrential downpours or biblical floods or Betty will find herself bobbing along on an upturned table like mapp and Lucia.
Ta ta for now

Jillxx