Interiors - House Of Coco Magazine

Interiors November 9, 2023

#CocoInteriors : The Ultimate Home Decoration Guide

If you are moving to a new house or you are still in the old one but want to decorate it from scratch, then do not worry because we are here for your help. It is not at all an easy task to decorate your home, especially the one that was never decorated properly ever before. But, a little effort can help you do it yourself without hiring an interior decorator who will probably charge you a lot of money.

In this article, we are going to share with you the complete guideline that can lead you to the path of home decoration. These simple guiding steps will turn out amazing for your home, and you will feel the clear difference as you will follow every step; that way it is being shared in this article. So, without any further due or delay, let’s get started with this journey.

Selection of Furniture

Furniture makes a big part of the home decoration items. It includes the beds, tables, and the sofa. You have to very carefully decide the designs and colors of wood or steel for these items and them their placement I respective rooms. Usually, if you like to have light and simple decoration of your home, then you must go with black or dark brown furniture color, while if you like colors, then make it colorful and in combination with other decoration item colors. You can find great stylish and durable storage products like acacia wood furniture and ideas at HomeGenerosity

Another thing to keep in mind s that the furniture must be warm, cozy and comfortable for you. You can check out https://www.bodymouldmattresses.co.uk/memory-foam-mattress-toppers/, and here you will find a very good variety of nice mattresses for your bed. Moreover, you can also visit https://aftermattress.com, where you can find many more cozy mattresses. Apart from the bed, your sofa must also be very comfortable. You should choose that also with care.

Wall Paint Colors and Combinations

Wall paints are another important aspect of home decoration that people need guide about. It is not something that we can do just according to what we like and what we want to see around. For the selection of colors, we have to first see the size of the room. If it is small, then we must use as many light colors as possible, and if possible only white. It will make the room look bigger and spacious. While the room is already large enough and spacious, then we can use dark color combination so that it may look composed.

Other than this, one must keep in mind the color scheme of bedsheets and curtains so that the colors for the wall paints may go completely with the color of the accessories. Otherwise, it will look very odd if the colors won’t be contrasting with each other.

Indoor Plantation

This is another guiding step that many people neglect. It is important that a home is incomplete without proper plantation in it. It is essential to have it because it makes the home feel very refreshing. So, whatever the plants or flowers you like, you can put them in your house to complete its overall look.

Well, after reading the above article, you must be very confident about your home decoration. You will get nice compliments from people who will visit your home, and that will help you do more for your home. For that, you will learn more, and that is the only path of getting better in it. So, try every step as it is supposed to be followed and done. Also, share this with other people to help them in this matter.

Afternoon Tea November 9, 2023

#TeamCocopup: A luxury Afternoon Tea at The Lanesborough

There are very few hotels in London that are as classically stunning as The Lanesborough. Last weekend, TeamCocopup Charlie made his way to the Lanesborough, for a doggy afternoon tea at one of London’s most prestigious addresses.

As a member of the esteemed Oetker Collection, The Lanesborough Hotel is the absolute embodiment of London luxury. Cross the street and you’re immediately within the green expanses of Hyde Park. A quick hop skip and jump away and you’ll be in Knightsbridge, the world’s most exclusive shopping district. Perusing the carefully curated shop windows at Harrods, and Harvey Nichols. Charlie and I learned that a quick game of fetch in Hyde Park is the best way to calm the doggy nerves before afternoon tea at The Lanesborough.

Designed by Alberto Pinto, this grand luxury mansion features 93 beautiful luxury suites and bedrooms. After being greeted by the hotel’s chivalrous doormen, we were led to the Lanesborough’s beautiful Withdrawing Room – where we would settle in for our afternoon tea. Sumptuously decorated with gold details, luxurious velvet trim, hand-painted trompe l’oeil marbling and shimmering chandeliers; The Withdrawing Rooms looks exactly like how you’d imagine the Queen’s Royal drawing room to be –and here, both mums and pups get the royal treatment. We sat down in a prime spot right beside the fireplace, and Charlie was given to his own little doggie bed too.

Afternoon Tea is such a quintessentially British pastime, and it doesn’t get more British than at the Lanesborough. Every afternoon tea begins with the perfect brew, and The Lanesborough has one of the widest tea selections in London. With over 40 choices of tea to choose from, The Lanesborough’s afternoon tea menu is as exhaustive as it is indulgent and includes black, green, and aromatic herbal infusions. Our lovely waiter Luca took us through their expansive menu, and soon our stunning three tiered afternoon tea stand arrives. A mix of perfect cut finger sandwiches, wonderfully rich clotted cream, fresh fruit preserves, and freshly baked scones, and scattering of delightfully flavoured pastries and cakes. Our instant favourite were the incredibly light blackberry cheesecakes which sat on the top tier of our cake stand. Kudos to head pastry chef Fabio Bardi, because not a single pastry was too sweet or soggy, with even the most subtle of flavours brought to life. Charlie got some treats of his own, care of Bob and Lush at The Lanesborough. Bob & Lush is completely natural and is made of 100% freshly prepared meat, and are basicallyirresistible for any hungry pup. These treats are free from any artificial preservatives or colorants which means they are perfect for any sensitive puppy tummies. Safe to say — it was almost impossible to keep Charlie away.

Throughout the years, the Lanesborough has gained the reputation of being one of the best luxury afternoon teas in London – and for good reason! Incredible service, sumptuous surroundings, and an utterly delicious afternoon tea mean that the Lanesborough is really where the magic happens. The Lanesborough is a definite must-visit for tea and cake loving mums and pups the world over, especially for those looking for a very special way to spend a doggy afternoon.

www.oetkercollection.com

Interiors November 9, 2023

#CocoInteriors : Tips on Giving Your Bedroom a Makeover

Did you realise you spend as much as a third of your life in your bedroom? Admittedly, most of that is spent with your eyes closed, but what about the time when you’re awake? Next time you’re lying on your bed just dozing, take a look around the room and you might realise it needs a bit of a TLC. How much you spend depends on your budget, but you could get away with spending the smallest amount. The end result could still have the wow factor you’d get from spending hundreds of pounds. If you’re looking for ideas, here are some tips you might want to follow.

Pick a New Colour Scheme

Are you the kind of person who finds interior decorating a little bit daunting? The best place to start is choosing a colour scheme and in your bedroom, you need to pick colours that are soothing. Think about shades of lavender, light blue and grey. For a pop of colour add accents in bright orange and green. Repainting the walls won’t break the bank and you’ll have money left over to buy some interesting bedroom pieces.

Lavish Some Attention on Your Floors

If you’ve already got wall-to-wall carpeting or wooden flooring, replacing these might prove to be expensive. Show your flooring how much you care by adding a colour-coordinated rug. Pick something warm and comforting to place next to your bed. Alternatively, choose a mixture of textures and patterns depending on the rest of your décor. A rug is a great way of tying different elements in your room together. Pick the right size and you’ll be able to make your room look bigger or smaller.

Add Some Interesting Accessories

This is a great way to spice up the plainest of rooms. Adding throws, cushions and covers in a range of different colours and textures will bring your room alive. Why not swap out your bedding for something new? Or change for a duvet or comforter. These small additions can create a whole new look in your room. You might want it to be more girly, modern, classic, graphic, pastel or primary. If you want to splash out a little, consider investing in wall art to adorn your bedroom walls. Some bigger renovation projects might require a little more time, effort and money, but that doesn’t mean you can’t sort your dream bedroom. Crediful.com will be able to help if you need to think about the financing of such a project.

Choose Green Additions

If you want to have an expensive looking bedroom, without spending the cash, add some plants to the room. Pick a pretty vase and bring in some cut flowers. Pot up lush green plants in ceramic or metal containers. Pick plants that will help purify the air and make you sleep better, as well as improve the look of your room.

More Suggestions That Won’t Break the Bank

Choose stylish hanging lights rather than ceiling fixtures
A beautiful tray for your dresser top
Get rid of the clutter
Raise your curtains up high
Change the window treatments
Add some mirrors

Changing the look and feel of a room doesn’t have to cost hundreds, although there’s nothing wrong with spending the money if you want to. It doesn’t have to be a big change either as several small things can have just as big an impact.

Interiors November 9, 2023

Three ways to make your home more vintage

The décor of a house matters a lot since the appearance of a home can easily influence the mood. A messy or a cluttered place can immediately dampen the mood and make you irritable. Your surroundings should be comfortable and appealing to lift the inner aura. Nowadays, with almost everything within reach, there are many different styles of décor being incorporated. You can find all types of furniture of all styles and decorate houses with any style.

One of the styles that has never gone out of fashion is the vintage style. Vintage and antique décor are popular as they can be incorporated in any kind of house. Vintage furniture can be used for all kind of rooms to make them more sophisticated. Vintage furniture is used to give a high-quality and unique look. Vintage is always in trend because it is different, and it is not something that can easily be created. Making your home look vintage can be a difficult task, but here are three ways you can make your home décor as vintage as possible.

Adding Vintage Furniture

Adding vintage furniture to your home will add a distinct vintage character to your house. Vintage décor does not demand a full range of vintage furniture. One piece of vintage furniture is enough to add character to a room. Placing vintage sofas in your living room or drawing room will give a more refined look. You can also add vintage desks to your house for a vintage character. Vintage furniture generally stands out more than any other type. For your bedroom, you can invest in a vintage vanity. Old chairs and stools are also a good idea to easily make your rooms look more vintage.

Choose a Vintage Palette

When it comes to vintage home décor, using an old colour palette can go a long way. The vintage colour palette comprises of warm and dark colours. Since the Vintage furniture mostly used is made of dark coloured wood, it is best coupled with warm tones. Vintage sofas are also mostly made of leather using warm colours which create a warm palette a necessity. Adding wooden frames to your window is an easy and effective way for more vintage sense.

Vintage Décor Pieces

Vintage décor pieces are a great addition to enhance the old character of your house. You do not need to go hunting for actual vintage and antique pieces. You can easily add a vintage touch to your home décor with the help of vintage photo frames or use pitchers instead of vases for fresh flowers. Hanging plates are a definitive addition for vintage home décor. For a chic and charming vibe, you can add them to your hallways or decorate a room in your living room with an eclectic mix of photograph frames and hanging plates. You can use wires from Balingwiredirect.com to hang decorations. You can also find embroidered throws and doilies to cover furniture. These will definitely bring a vintage aesthetic to your home.

Fashion November 9, 2023

Top 5 interior bloggers to watch for inspiration

We’re all working women. We spend a lot of time in our offices and we love a good holiday or two, but the place we spend our down time is just as important.

In the quest to create a relaxing sanctuary of a home and find interiors which really scream you, it can be difficult to know where to start. Instagram and Pinterest are up there for sure, but our favourite form of inspiration? The interior blogger. To the Queen of cushions and sumptuous soft furnishings: we salute you. You make our lives a damn sight easier and let us look like the interior designers we really never were.

Here are our top picks of #interiorbloggers you should be following if it’s time to give your home a touch of TLC.

A Beautiful Mess

A long-time favourite here at House of Coco: the Instagram and blog (and book line and course and all round brand powerhouse) which is run by two sisters called Elsie and Emma Chapman. The whole shabang is a bit of an interiors/craft mash up, but the results are incredible. They share everything from how to toddler proof your house to shopping for brass light fightings. There isn’t a corner which goes untouched. In short, the girls pride themselves on creating happiness through a homemade lifestyle.

If you’re one for splashing rainbow brights through every room in your house and love all the textured decor, then ABM will leave you reeling with interior inspo.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BleABNugnRS/?hl=en&taken-by=abeautifulmess

Little Big Bell

The blog that’ll leave you wanting to buy prints in abundance and never stop. It is run by Geraldine from London, and just like ABM, LBB is all about the rainbow colours.

Her style is just a little less DIY and more clean cut than the previous. Follow on Instagram for daily bouts of list worthy interiors, and head to the blog for renovation tips aplenty.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlKZdeNHcBk/?hl=en&taken-by=littlebigbell

My Scandinavian Home

If you like to take a leaf from the Scandi style book and keep your home looking minimalist, then this is the blog for you. Run by Niki Brantmark, author of The Scandinavian Home, it is a beautiful ode to white walls, copper hardware and geometric prints. We love.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlRAV3nFXM6/?hl=en&taken-by=myscandinavianhome

Old Brand New

A swoon-worthy blog this time run by a gentleman: American dweller Dabito who brings a breath of fresh air to home remodelling.

He’s a lover of vintage, so if you’re wanting to know how to marry antiques with the latest trend pieces, Dabito is your man.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlGddtDlANZ/?hl=en&taken-by=dabito

Mad About The House

This blog was born from a wealth of experience; creator, Kate Watson-Smith has years of knowledge under her belt after writing about interior design for the likes of the Guardian, Independent and Financial Times.

Her blog is an exclusive sneak peak inside the four walls she calls home. She shares tips on getting started with renovation plus insider trend tips to keep your style savvy. A serious bible.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlSCPtAAgri/?taken-by=mad_about_the_house

Where do you get your interior inspiration from? Comment below to let us know.

Food & Drink November 9, 2023

The Radisson Blu Nice: A stylish stay in the French Riviera

If you’re looking to live out your best impression of a Slim Aarons’ photograph, then hop on a plane to the south of France and check-in to the Radisson Blu Nice. Located on the picturesque thoroughfare of the Promenade des Anglais; the Radisson Blu Nice is an icon of hospitality in the French Riviera, combining contemporary interiors, impeccable service, and all without breaking the bank. Team Coco explores the Radisson Blu Nice’s new look and discovers all the colours and flavours of the Mediterranean.

After completing a 12 million euro refurbishment, the Radisson Blu Nice is unlike any other hotel in the south of France. Utilising the calming hues of the Mediterranean sea, the hotel is painted in shades of sleet, blue, and sea-foam, highlighted with warm tones of burnt sienna and ochre. Decorated by the acclaimed Spanish Interior designer, Jaime Beriestain, the Radisson Blu Nice takes Maritime inspirations and local motifs to create a space that is both functional and sophisticated. Native yellow Mimosas inspire the lighting fixtures in the lobby, while oxidised nautical metalwork appears in clever design elements all throughout the space. The serene design aesthetic also extends into 331 generously spaced guest rooms. Azure sea views, a subtle balance of textures, beautifully tiled bathrooms, and floor-length sliding doors make the Radisson Blu Nice’s guest rooms the perfect retreat to cool-off from the heat of the Mediterranean sun.

Not only does the Radisson Blu Nice have the best rooftop pool in all of Nice, it also has the only private beach club. The Regence Plage is just a short 2 minute walk away from the hotel and is the best place to catch the sun on the beach. Guests can rent beach beds, take in the sun, and enjoy a delectable lunch menu. Try the Salade Nicoise (with no potatoes of course, according to the locals), and enjoy an Aperol Spritz by the beach. If you prefer rooftop views to the sea, then check out the hotel’s stunning rooftop restaurant – Calade. With chef Maxime Bernard at the helm, Calade combines locally sourced ingredients with haute cuisine. Try the Bruschetta to start, and then the Prawns Risotto, and top it all off with the Galet Niçoise and a glass of pale pink Rosé. We can assure you, there is no better place in the south of France to watch the sunset and enjoy breathtaking views of the Baie des Anges; and there is no place better for your next stylish stay in the Mediterranean than the Radisson Blu Nice.

Radisson Blu Nice offers accommodation on a B&B basis from €284/£248 per room per night.

Cocktails November 9, 2023

Celebrating 90 Years of Excellence with JW Marriott Grosvenor House

Last week, TeamCoco attended the glitzy new relaunch of JW Marriott Grosvenor House in celebration of its 90th anniversary.

Originally opening its doors in 1929, JW Marriott Grosvenor House has become emblematic of timeless Mayfair London luxury. Over the years, its esteemed guests have included the likes of dignitaries, celebrities, and even royalty. The hotel has even hosted countless iconic events such as the Royal Caledonian Ball, The Russian Television Ball, and the BAFTA After Party.

Rubbing shoulders with a-list celebrities and socialites alike, we made our way to the entrance of Grovesnor House, which was transformed into Royal Hyde Park. The Park Street entrance was decorated with a flurry of foliage, and even featured Yellow Rose Frame, especially created by Indoor Garden Design for the event. We were treated to an unlimited flow of champagne, and embarked on a culinary journey with Executive Chef Paul Bates, who created hors d’oeuvres based on the hotels’ most popular menu items. Our personal favourite was the simply delicious Dorset Raspberry’s tart.

Inside, there were plenty of things to discover, as the JW Marriott Grosvenor House was transformed into an immersive experience for the senses, as each area offering up something new and exciting. We began in Corrigan’s, where we indulged in oysters and Dickie’s Black Velvet cocktails. We then ventured into the hotel’s newest restaurant, Ruya, which served delectable Anatolian bites in the Grosvenor House’s handsome library. Finally, we made our way to JW Steakhouse, where we tucked in to some prime USDA cuts paired with some fine wine and bourbon tasting options.

Beyond the incredible food and drink on offer, the evening’s entertainment is also worth mentioning. There were contemporary ballet pop-ups from Elmshurt Ballet School, which harked back to the infamous days when Dame Margot Fonteyn herself was a resident at the hotel. There was also music from String Infusion and Super Stokes. And if you found yourself a bit overwhelmed by everything that was going on, there was also a team of experts from Aromatherapy Associates on to help guests find a minute of mindfulness. The evening concluded with a fabulous performance by the London Community Gospel Choir, which was the perfect ending to an evening of whimsy, luxury, and discovery — all by the ever impeccable JW Marriott Grosvenor House.

“Throughout the 90 years of its legacy, JW Marriott Grosvenor House London has played a role, whether large or small, in the history of this well-beloved city. This year, following significant transformations, our truly iconic hotel begins an exciting new chapter. We look forward to welcoming our guests as we head into the next decade feeling inspired and fulfilled.”

– General Manager Stuart Bowery

www.marriott.co.uk

Beauty November 9, 2023

Make self care your 2019 resolution at this Greek Paradise

Now that winter is in full swing, we’ve got our eyes on sunnier destinations. If you’re looking at the good old holiday counter and browsing for your own place in the sun, then definitely check out the new Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso.

With stunning views of the sparkling Gulf of Aegina, and with one of the biggest spas in Europe, the Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso is the perfect getaway to relax and rejuvenate in the heart of the Athenian Riviera.

In ancient Greek the word ‘thalasso’ means ‘sea’ and the word ‘therapia’ means treatment — and so Thalassotherapy uses the healing powers of the sea to create a series of wellness treatments that are not only utterly refreshing, but also use mineral-rich ocean ingredients to really give you that all natural Mediterranean glow. Sounds lush? Well, the Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso resort has the biggest Thalassotherapy centre in Greece (the only one in Athens might I add) if you’re in the mood for some much needed pampering, definitely an lose yourself to the healing powers of the sea.

Outside the spa, the hotel also offers holistic wellbeing packages that include consultations, private training sessions, and fitness regiments. Perfect if you’re feeling inspired to add some much needed self-care into 2019.

Food & Drink November 9, 2023

Escape to the Château: A Weekend of Adventure in the Dordogne

Here at House of Coco we love far-flung escape and the growing trend for secret travel but we can’t ignore that our budgets don’t always stretch to the luxe long-haul break we crave or that our boss is always happy to sign off… bienvenue en France, a dreamy destination closer to home where a long weekend can take you to another world.

‘But the English, you have cheese after dessert, what madness?!’ is not necessarily the heated conversation I expected to have with a sommelier in a historic castle a mere 15-minutes drive from a markedly less luxurious campsite that I lived in one summer, learning French. Yet, there I was, dressed up for dinner at the stunning Château de la Treyne, overlooking the Dordogne river, my base for a long weekend of rediscovering the region. My grubby shared staff tent had been upgraded to the breathtaking Dordogne Master Suite with a terrace overlooking said river. If only my fellow kids camp animatrices could see me now.

The Château de la Treyne is part of the Relais & Châteaux family, meaning I was already dreaming of the luxe that awaited on our drive from Toulouse airport deep into the historical heart of France. Driving along in the mist of a November afternoon, the castle appears across the river, the tyres crunched over manicured gravel and the scent of delicious candles entered our noses as we were greeted by co-owner Stéphanie Gombert over a glass of fizz in the dark wood bar, in front of a crackling fire. Feeling not unlike a traditional Disney princess, I had arrived at my castle, butterflies in my stomach, drinking in the classic romance of it all.

You could very easily spend a week on and around the Château de la Treyne property itself with its heated infinity pool, extensive gardens, tennis court and walks across 120 hectares of private forests. But what would be better is to wake early to the ducks and mist over the river for a stroll around the gardens and a sumptuous, locally prepared breakfast, before heading out to explore

The beauty of this region of France is that it pretty much ticks all the boxes for reasons why you would visit France at all. Great food? Oui. Beautiful villages? Bien sûr. Nature’s finest? Exactement. A short drive from the Château will bring you to the medieval town of Sarlat, so well protected from modern life that you’ll be forgiven for going full-on Belle and wishing bonjour in a sing-song voice to everyone you pass. You’ll likely get some funny looks but, like I say, I reckon they’ll forgive you.

We drove into town on Saturday, market day, and it was buzzing with food and craft stalls – some more authentic than others and plenty of the town’s most famous produce – vegetarians and vegans please look away now – foie gras. With so much history, the town is packed with sights to see and museums to enter but the best experience has to be from taking winding cobbled streets at random and seeing where you end up. I entered the town with one vague aim, to track down the Bordeaux speciality, canelés and was rewarded with a dinky one on the end of a pick in my bière, sat in the winter sunshine outside Lemoin Canelé.

In fact, by hitting the road in this area you can visit numerous well preserved, evocative towns with towering castles like Beynac which you might recognise from the film Chocolat, Saint Cirque Lapopie which is consistently voted as one of the most beautiful towns in France and of course, the jaw-dropping Rocamadour teetering on a cliff edge, best seen at night as the lights sparkle. With deep religious and historical importance to many of the towns in the area, exploring the Dordogne region is a step away from modernity as development is fiercely controlled and tourism centres around what’s already there and not inventing new cheesy tourist traps.

A great example of where technology has been embraced to enhance the existing attraction is Lascaux 4 (24290 Montignac, lascaux.fr) which opened in 2016 at the foot of the hill where the original Lascaux was discovered back in 1940. The striking modern building mimics the landscape behind it and houses a replica of the original cave complete with the temperature, air pressure, scents and sounds from when it was discovered and became the most famous example of Palaeolithic cave paintings in the world.

In fact, a lot of the exploring to be done in the region is underground and you’re spoilt for choice with nearly every town including a cave attraction but don’t tuck into your evening cheese board without experiencing the epic Gouffre de Padirac (46500 Padirac, gouffre-de-padirac.com). On arriving at the Gouffre you’ll first be hit by the immensity of the chasm to the outside. Step by step, you’ll enter another world as the temperature drops and the light fades and you reach the floor, ready to enter the cave and onto a magical boat tour of the subterranean river. On our visit, we caught the last boat trip of the day meaning we had the awe-inspiring cave pretty much all to ourselves, which was incredible. Well, until a well-meaning staff member turned the lights out on clocking off…

Driving back to the stunning Château we were all quiet in contemplation at the wonders we’d taken in over just a short weekend and only a few hours from home. While we were staying at hand’s down the most incredible hotel in the region, the exploration of that luxe property and their flawless Michelin starred restaurant menu was only part of this seductive adventure. I can’t wait to escape to the Château de la Treyne again in warmer months for kayaking down the Dordogne, long walks and sundowners sat on the terrace, dreaming of upping sticks like Dick and Angel and starting my own romantic French adventure.

Where to stay:

We stayed at the stunning Château de la Treyne (chateaudelatreyne.com , phone: +33(0) 5.65.27.60.60 , email: treyne@relaischateaux.com) in Lacave where unique luxury suites start from 200 Euros a night.

If you are travelling with a group, the family behind Château de la Treyne also rent out the jaw-dropping 4 bedroom 14th Century Château de Bastit (chateaudubastit.com) only a 10-minute walk across the main property so you can have your family gathering and pop to the main Chateau for dinner.

Not far from either Château you’ll find the family’s 17th Century period property which sleeps 10 people for a week of relaxation and exploration (chartreusedecales.com)

Dog-friendly November 9, 2023

#TeamCocopup: Doggy Afternoon Tea at the Egerton House Hotel

This week’s dog-friendly adventure takes us to Knightsbridge, for a doggy afternoon tea at the Egerton House Hotel. Just a stone’s throw away from the iconic facade of Harrods, and a quick walk from the V&A and the Natural History Museum, the Egerton House Hotel is the best spot to spend a lavish afternoon in town for both mums and pooches.

As House of Coco’s official doggie journalist, Team Coco pup Charlie has explored plenty of dog-friendly places in London, but nowhere reaches the same level of puppy-pampering as The Egerton House Hotel. Part of the impeccable Red Carnation Hotel Group, the Egerton House Hotel exudes all of the essential charms of a luxury British hotel, balanced with the warm familiarity of a family run establishment. Before Charlie could do the proverbial shake, and excited tail-wagging, Andiswa, the Egerton House’s operations manager was already greeting us with a warm smile and some necessary fuss. She then led us to their beautiful Ivory hued Drawing Room, and to a table right by their exquisite bay window. While London winter did its worst outside, inside we were getting warm and cosy as Charlie settled into his perfect little doggie blanket and from the Egerton House Hotel.

Before digging into the perfectly baked scones, we started with a brief history of afternoon tea, and learned about how it is inextricably linked to British life. From traditional loose leaf teas, to minimal asian flavours, and even some show-stopping herbal infusions; the Egerton House Hotel has something for even the most discerning tea connoisseur. No afternoon tea would be complete without a selection of delectable sandwiches and pastries, and the Egerton House Hotel’s menu certainly doesn’t disappoint. The delectable sandwiches included organic smoked salmon on freshly baked Cape seed loaf (my personal favourite), roast ham and English mustard, and coronation chicken on granary bread among other British classics. On the sweeter end of the spectrum, the homemade cakes included a perfectly balanced carrot cupcake, lemon and poppyseed layered cake, coffee and walnut gateaux, and some lovely plain and fruit scones too. And while I enjoyed a glass of champagne with my afternoon tea, Charlie enjoyed a three course doggy menu of his own — also served in doggie-themed three-tiered tea stand.

This very special doggy menu comprises of homemade chicken and beef meatloaf, freshly baked dog biscuits, and some pure fruit doggie ice cream, not to mention some pup-friendly PAW-secco too — now that’s VIP (Very important Pet) treatment. Beyond the fresh food and beautiful environment, what makes Egerton House Hotel special is the absolutely faultless service. Because here, they welcome every guest like a VIP (even the four-legged ones)

The Egerton House Hotel’s Doggy Afternoon Tea surely gets five paws from Charlie, and we shall definitely be returning. If not for more cakes, then definitely for a luxury puppy staycation. You can rest assured that your pet will be treated like a king, from top to tail.

The Doggy Afternoon tea at The Egerton House Hotel is £45 per person and £25 per pooch. Afternoon Tea is served daily from 12pm to 6pm. The Egerton House Hotel also offers Vegetarian and Vegan options. For more information visit www.egertonhousehotel.com