HAPPY CHRISTMAS FROM WICKENDEN HUTLEY

We are so sorry that we have abandoned you over the past few months... we have no excuse other than we have been extremely busy (no complaints)! 

We thought that we HAD to manage a Christmas post to update you on our favourite finds for this festive season!  If it's too late to get them for this year then you can always grab them in the sale for 2014...

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Charlie and Melissa x 

1. Gold Geometric Tree Decorations from Rockett St George, 2. White Fig and Vanilla Candle by Wick & Tallow, 3. Naked Wire Lights by Cox & Cox, 4. Real Buxus Wreath by Rowen and Wren, 5. Star Paper Straws from Fancy Straws, 6. Leaf Gift Tags by Rowen & Wren, 7. Silver Bauble Place Settings by Cox & Cox, 8. The Drunken Botanist by Amy Stewart, 9. Copper Bar Tools from West Elm, 10. Sloe Gin by Professor Cornelius Ampleforth, 11. Copper and White Baubles from Cox & Cox,

ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS - SUMMER EXHIBITION 2013

The Royal Academy's (RA) Summer Exhibition is in it's 245th year. Over 4,500 entrants have been whittled down to 1,200 exhibits, that can be overwhelming for some. It is the world's largest open submission exhibition, attracting well known entrants such as Tracy Emin and this year's big pull Grayson Perry, as well as thousands of unknown, aspiring artists, all trying to be the next big thing. Many a career has been made by the Summer Exhibition.

As a result of trying to encourage a younger audience over the last few years, a lot more mixed media, video and digital art work has been accepted (much to the annoyance of the old timers). However it has been said that this year's exhibition has perhaps returned to it roots, for the better, and has been widely reviewed as one of the best yet.

Due to the sheer enormity of the exhibition it is impossible to take everything in during one visit. We are planning a second already but thought we share a few of our favourites...

El Anatsui, TSIATSIA - searching for connection

Denise Bailey/Press Association

Claire Robinson - Hand me down a classic (screenprint)

Cornelia Parker RA - Stolen Thunder 

(digital pigment print on photo rag 308gsm)

Nelly Dimitranova - Art History Chart 

(black pen on domestic colour chart)

Hannah Battershell - 1 From the runaways series 

(mixed media on found button)

Lecture Room, Summer Exhibition 2013. 

Photo credit: John Bodkin

Sculpture in the RA Summer Exhibition 2013

All these fine art prints have some association with the printed word (Photo: Katherine Tyrrell)

The Vanity of Small Differences - four of the tapestries in the series (Artists own edition of an edition of 6)

©  Grayson Perry

The exhibition will end on the 18th August so there is still plenty of time to squeeze in a visit...

RA friends can enter the exhibition for free and do not need to book. For mere mortals tickets are £10 for adults and can be booked here.

GETTING READY FOR THE WEEKEND...

As we prepare for a weekend of beautiful weather we thought a new summer cocktail recipe was in order!

The 'English Eccentric Garden' uses flavours that are reminiscent of an English garden... cucumber, mint, elderflower and apples... See below for the recipe of this summer's must have cocktail.

INGREDIENTS

1oz of St Germain elderflower liqueur

1oz of Hendrick's gin

3oz of English cloudy apple juice

Splash of soda water

Fresh mint

Sliced cucumber

Lots of ice

PREPARATION

Muddle the mint, gin and elderflower liqueur in a cocktail shaker...

Add lots of ice and the apple juice (shake well), then strain into a tall glass filled with ice...

Slice the cucumber as thinly as possible with a sharp knife.

Top up with soda water and garnish with a couple of paper thin cucumber slices and a sprig of fresh mint.

Enjoy and have a good weekend! 

TURQUOISE AND ORANGE 

Contrasting colours are a guaranteed hit but these are our favourites! 

Reminding us of Mediterranean summers, outdoor living and summer days spent with friends, we have to put together some coveted items for your home, garden and wardrobe.  Accessorising with colour allows you to experiment without having to commit to any drastic changes. 

Introduce that much needed essence of summer into your every day living... all we need now is a little more sunshine!

Currently Coveting:

1. Pre mixed gin & tonic from Fentimans & Bloom 2. Turquoise stones 3. Aviators from Ray Ban 4. Almond bath oil from Ortigia Sicilia 5. Sunburst stripe hand woven Ikat pillow from Madeline Weinrib 6. Orange climbing flowers 7. Turquoise and white paper straws 8. Sardinia 9. Turquoise Dupatta stole from Heidi Klein 10. Envelope Ipad clutch from Smythson 11. Orange wellies from Hunter 12. Turquoise jugs from French Connection Home 13. Cotton tea towels from Thomas Paul 14. Craft ideas from Martha Stewart 15. Turquoise suede heels from Christian Louboutin 16. Old Havana dinnerware from Anthropologie 17. Cocktail ideas from Honestly Yum 18. Stool from Um Project

In keeping with the theme, our business cards have arrived...

AN ENGLISH SUMMER GARDEN

After a recent visit to Petersham Nurseries in Richmond we were reminded of how inspirational the natural English Garden can be.  Their stunning range of garden and home accessories, not to mention the exquisite plants for sale, help create that quintessential worn and eclectic space (they also offer a range of dates to dine amongst the plants by candle light over the summer if you're lucky enough to book one of very sought after reservations!).

Here are some of our favourite images and how you can try to replicate a similar feel in your own garden...

INSPIRATION

Clockwise from the Top Left: Rose Archway 'Rose Garden of Ca' delle Rose' from Stefano Scata Photography II Potting Shed from Visualphotos.com II Box hedging with worn stone Box hedging with worn stone II  Overgrown window box with bistro table and chairs II Stone archway with climbers II Outdoor dining with overhead wisteria from House Beautiful II Dining under a green canopy with an overhead outdoor lantern from Just the Design II Planting selection from Petersham Nurseries II A display of a gardener's tools from Vita Ranunkler

GET THE LOOK

1. Collection of cushions from Toast II 2. Recycled glass bird feeder from Anthropologie II 3. Gardener's twine from Garden Trading  4. Small forged iron scissors from Not On The Highstreet II 5.  Ivory Epoch pot from Anthropologie II 6. Copper watering can from Haws II 7. Pair of stone troughs from Holloways Garden II 8. Gilt and brass lantern from Patrick Jefferson II 9. Four terracotta pots in a box from Liberty II 10. Linen napkins from The Linen Works II 11. Willow cutlery basket from Not On The Highstreet II 12. Planters from Garden Trading II 13. Pashley Bicycle from Pashley II 14. Iron chair from Heveningham II 15. Fois de Bois outdoor candle from Diptyque Paris II 16. Antique marble urn from Holloways Garden Antiques