Tina over at The English Muse recently posted about the really rather wonderful column that is My Space in the Guardian newspaper. Featuring the “cherished room” of many a British star in their own field whether it be writing, fashion designing, cooking or acting, etc, etc, the column throws up a myriad of rooms and more pertinently from my point of view a gorgeous explanation of the rooms history, its inspiration and the reasons why it is indeed so very cherished by it’s owner…

While Tina featured the rooms of British fashion designers, I have just spent many a happy moment re-visiting my favorite spaces online and found myself drawn to an eclectic collection of rooms which if drawn together in one house could quite easily satisfy my every creative whim…
First on my list, is the room above, Sam Roddick’s “film room”, a quirky room stuffed with nostalgia and the kind of reclaimed “objet trouve” girls like me dream of happening upon. I rather think the arrangement of old portraits above the fireplace is nothing short of wonderful…

Next up on my list is milliner Stephen Jones garden room, a space he describes as the perfect place to throw a milliners tea-party. I mean really, who wouldn’t love to don a scrumptiously silly fascinator (love that word!) and eat cupcakes in an ivy sprinkled dining room?

For a room in which to read, or indeed, play Monopoly by the fire, I choose Jan Pienowski’s living room. Look at those books! Look at that divine red leather reading chair! Jan is the author of Meg and Mog and has lived in this house for more than 43 years. To me this is the epitome of living with what you love, and honouring the four walls of a house you are thoroughly committed to…

Next on my list is Alice Temperleys studio. Renowned for her oh so pretty dresses, this is such a feminine space and if you look closely you will see some truly quirky rather wonderful objects like that lamp hanging from the rafters. Surrounding yourself with all manner of collectibles seems like such an incredibly wise way to spark creativity. I can’t think straight in a spartan space…

In my experience conservatories are often the rooms that fall foul to bad decoration as if those who build them issue rules on their design and will only allow the provision of a wicker sofa or two, a few bundles of twigs and the odd rubber plant or else the entire contraption will be knocked to the ground. Which is why m’dears I find Celia Birtwells Flower Room so utterly charming. Even with fairy lights, gingham and welly boots abounding, this still manages to be a peaceful space and seems just right for quiet contemplation or indeed sketching the garden outside…

Next up is Lauren Child’s (of Charlie and Lola fame) kitchen. Isn’t it just downright fabulous? I love the idea of kids banging on the piano while I stir spaghetti and I do believe there is absolutely nothing precious about this room at all. I want to be sitting right at that table, blogging and drinking coffee while Finn sits next to me splashing paint and telling me all about his day…

And finally if you don’t mind, I want to retire to Lulu Guinness’s bedroom. Though I can’t quite take to the end-table at the foot of the bed, the rest of the room is so fabulously girly and I rather think it must be heaven to wake up under a satin quilt and the sprawling branches of a magnolia tree. Divine, divine, divine…
And so that concludes my little tour of other peoples houses. Which is your favorite? Which gives you the heebie jeebies and would have you hiring a skip in which to banish all that ugliness? Which room in your house is the one you most adore?
So many questions, so little time. I keep forgetting it’s Christmas.