Homes and Gardens • 18 December 2025

How to Host a Wild and Whimsical Party With Events Planner Rebecca Gardner

Rebecca Gardner founded her interior and events design company, Houses & Parties, a decade ago, before opening her online store in the same name, selling luxury 'unnecessaries for memorable occasions' in 2020. What she doesn't know about creating incredible dinner party themes and sparkling cocktail parties isn't worth knowing.In her book, A Screaming Blast: Exceptional Entertaining (Rizzoli at Amazon), Rebecca shares the story of how her passion for parties came about: 'As a girl, I would spend...

Homes and Gardens • 10 December 2025

British Bag Designer, Anya Hindmarch on 10 Things That Bring Her Joy

Dame Anya Hindmarch's pieces are instantly recognizable for their fun and frivolous designs, and practical elements that help you to organize your home and life stylishly. Having launched her business in London in 1987, it's since grown to a globally renowned brand with personalization, organization, and, of course, style at its heart. Her eye-catching designs, practical solutions, and commitment to sustainability have won her doting fan bases worldwide. Anya Hindmarch went on to launch a knitwe...

Homes and Gardens • 24 November 2025

Jo Malone London's Global Head of Fragrance, Céline Roux's Festive Top Ten

Céline Roux is the Vice President of Global Fragrance Development at Jo Malone London and a veritable doyenne in the world of scent, having led hugely successful campaigns for some of the brand's most popular fragrances, including English Pear and Peony and Blush Suede. Hailing from France and now living in London, Céline is also a globally recognised voice on the philosophy of fragrance, which goes far beyond creating the best candles, and fragrances for Jo Malone London, but also encapsulates...

Homes and Gardens • 30 October 2025

The Duo Behind Gardenheir on how to Host a Wonderfully Warm and Botanical-Inspired Gathering

You'd be forgiven for thinking the founding duo of Gardenheir, Alan Calpe and Christopher Crawford, had always been green-fingered. In fact, the New Yorkers' backgrounds are in the visual arts, retail, and fashion. When they stumbled across a 4-acre Catskills plot less than a decade ago, little did they know it would become the inspiration for the luxury home, garden, and lifestyle brand, that they run today.Our Gardens Editor recently wrote about the Garden Diaries of Gardenheir, but as I found...

The Home Page • 27 February 2025

Ros Byam Shaw on the Unexpected Joy of Downsizing • The Home Page

Closing the door on a treasured family home of over two decades marked the emotional end of a chapter for interiors writer Ros Byam Shaw. Here, she tells of her difficult decision to downsize and learning to embrace smaller spaces. By Katrina Harper-Lewis

The Home Page • 2 January 2025

How It Feels to Resurrect an Historic Family Estate • The Home Page

You’d be forgiven for thinking you’d stepped on to the set of Bridgerton or Downton Abbey on first impression of Berwick House – an imposing Grade II*-listed Georgian-Victorian mansion, set in 3,000 acres of Shrewsbury countryside. For the South Floridian teenager, Kassidy Heath, her first visit in the summer of 2015 was a culture shock to say the least. It was the formative family...

The Home Page • 29 November 2024

A Storied Family Home in North Cornwall • The Home Page

In the village of Morwenstow, around eight miles north of the perennially popular beach destination and surfer’s paradise of Bude, you’ll find Marratons – a whitewashed double-fronted slate-roofed farmhouse, set within five acres of land. With its windows framed by sky blue painted woodwork to mirror the coastal hues, the house exudes a quintessential Cornish charm. Being just a mile inland from the rugged, wind-battered...

The Home Page • 3 November 2024

How It Feels to Grow Up In a Theatre School • The Home Page

The bucolic Berkshire village of Littlewick Green, near Maidenhead feels like it’s been frozen in time. With its Victorian parish church, charming redbrick cottages encircling a traditional village green, and local pub overlooking the cricket pitch, it is unsurprising it is often used as a filming location.
It is also home to Redr...

Muddy Stilettos • 16 October 2024

Review: The Sun Inn, Felmersham | Muddy Stilettos Herts & Beds

Step inside this rural Bedfordshire pub for restaurant quality farm-to-table dining and swoon-worthy boutique rooms that won’t blow the budget.

Muddy Stilettos • 3 October 2024

Review: Sopwell House, St Albans | Muddy Stilettos Herts & Beds

With its secluded suites, super-luxe spa and elegant restaurants, Sopwell House has all the hallmarks of a slick city break but in a countryside setting.

Muddy Stilettos • 24 September 2024

Local bakeries we love | Muddy Stilettos Herts & Beds

Bake Off is back on TV so it’s time to dust off the mixer. Prefer not to DIY? Put down the spatula and support these mouth-watering local bakeries instead.

The Home Page • 1 September 2024

New Gardening Books to Inspire • The Home Page

That autumnal cosiness and comfort that we begin to crave at this time of year isn’t just about hunkering down indoors - it can be achieved through growing and gardening, too. As our plants and plots take on a new appeal, with rich autumnal colour and fruitful abundance, here’s where to find everything you’ll need to keep them looking their best (indoors and out), whether you h...

Muddy Stilettos • 7 August 2024

Meet the founder of Blend Organics | Muddy Stilettos Herts & Beds

Jae is the founder of Blend Organics in Ware, a healthy café, yoga and exercise studio. She runs us through her morning routine from celery juice and meditation to ‘clean’ beauty and mum and daughter yoga sessions.

Muddy Stilettos • 31 July 2024

Great Taste Awards winners | Muddy Stilettos Herts & Beds

Award-winning local food and drink, you say? Hot off the press, the latest Great Taste Award winners have just been crowned. Take a look at the starry line-up of Herts & Beds producers.

Muddy Stilettos • 8 July 2024

Local cabins, lodges and glamping | Muddy Stilettos Herts & Beds

Dodge the airport chaos this summer in favour of a more wholesome experience closer to home. Here’s our pick of the best rustic staycations in Herts & Beds.

Muddy Stilettos • 15 June 2024

10 ways to manage the menopause | Muddy Stilettos Herts & Beds

Whether you’re teetering on the edge of perimenopause or right in the throes of hot flushes and mood swings, it needn’t be as scary and confusing as it’s often made out. Arm yourself with this expert advice and show the menopause who’s boss!

Muddy Stilettos • 6 June 2024

Lovely local flower farms | Muddy Stilettos Herts & Beds

With this being British Flower Week (3-9 June), buying locally and seasonally is at the forefront of our minds. I’ve rounded up the local flower farms which not only sell beautiful blooms, but offer PYO, floral subscriptions and workshops, too. Here’s my pick of the bunch.

Muddy Stilettos • 20 May 2024

Lovely gardens to visit now in Herts & Beds | Muddy Stilettos

Spring is in the air and Chelsea Flower Show is go! So what better time to explore some of the prettiest patches in our locale and nab some inspiration for yours. Here’s my pick of the plots in Herts & Beds.

Muddy Stilettos • 15 May 2024

Local Bridgerton filming locations | Muddy Stilettos Herts & Beds

With the saucy period drama back on our screens, we’ve tracked down the local mansions, parks and posh pads which have featured in the show, so you can go and make like lady of the manor.

Muddy Stilettos • 24 April 2024

Where to see sculpture locally | Muddy Stilettos Herts & Beds

It’s International Sculpture Day on 27 April, so what better time to get out en plein air and explore our local alfreso art, from sculpture trails and gardens, to temporary and permanent exhibitions.

Muddy Stilettos • 30 January 2024

Freya North - my favourite places | Muddy Stilettos Herts & Beds

Chances are you’ve had a Freya North novel on your bedside table at some point, but did you know that the prolific author is a Herts girl? With her latest book about to hit the shelves, Freya found a few minutes to talk to me about her local loves, including cycling, cinnamon buns and ceramics.

Muddy Stilettos • 4 January 2024

Locally made candles for wellbeing | Muddy Stilettos Herts & Beds | Muddy Stilettos

Need a New Year pick-me-up? Treat yourself to one of these wellness enhancing candles, which are all handmade in Herts & Beds.

Muddy Stilettos • 12 December 2023

Drinks on me! Imme Ermgassen | Muddy Stilettos Herts & Beds | Muddy Stilettos

Thinking of giving booze a break? This locally made, award-winning non-alcoholic spirit could be the answer, and it’ll get your tastebuds tingling, too!

Muddy Stilettos • 12 August 2023

Fabulous farmshop cafés | Muddy Stilettos Herts & Beds | Muddy Stilettos

From freshly baked cakes and artisan coffee to hearty lunches with countryside views, here’s my pick of the best farmshop cafés in Herts & Beds.