Romantic Reveries, Volume 19

What a year it has been! It’s hard to believe that 2022 is drawing to a close. December always feels like a particularly short month, with preparations for Christmas and the excitement of the season ensuring the end of the month arrives in the blink of an eye.

In an effort to slow down this race to the end of the year, in November Ben and I took advantage of a rare opportunity to sneak off ‘sans enfants’ to Venice. I consider it the most romantic and beautiful city in the world, and a museum in itself.

We went to the iconic Harry’s bar for a Bellini, made with fresh peach juice. Opened in 1931, Harry’s is an institution in Venice and has been frequented by the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Truman Capote, Peggy Guggenheim and Katherine Hepburn!

We visited the island of Murano to see the breath-taking displays of glass blowing, chandeliers, glass ornaments and mirrors and then went by boat to Burano, a smaller island famous for its lace making and colourful houses.

It was a whirlwind few days filled with coffee, canals, and ‘cicchetti’ – delicious little finger-food dishes, the Venetian version of tapas.

We had fun getting lost over canals, bridges, and the network of winding streets without names in this city. It’s the best way to soak up the architecture, romance, and history of the city; with plenty of pit stops for coffee and wine, of course.

No trip to Venice is complete without a gondola ride; our charismatic guide Antonio regaled us with the secrets of Venice and showed us the sights and the hidden corners of Venice and its winding canals.

Reunited as a family, we popped to the National Trust Sheffield Park Gardens for the day to soak up some UK natural beauty. The wildly beautiful autumnal colours and fantastic collection of trees dating back hundreds of years is a sight to be seen. We collected conkers and admired the perfect symmetry of Capability Brown's garden-landscaping.

In the business, November has been a month of photoshoots. We've been busy sourcing props, taking in new product and creating mood boards. The new French beds we've been designing throughout the year are now coming to life and I can't wait to launch them over the next few weeks!

The first is our Hunter Green Velvet Upholstered Bed, launched just this weekend. I adore the tactility of this bed - the headboard descends in soothing waves, covered in an oh-so-plush forest green velvet - it's impossible to resist!

As I look back on the year, the main highlight for me has been the deepening relationships with our factories and manufacturers – both in the UK and across the globe, from French designers to Vietnamese suppliers. They all go the extra mile for us, and that's the difference between a working relationship and a genuine partnership.

We couldn't be luckier to work with true artisans who understand the importance of design and quality, as well as their understanding and appreciation of what makes French Bedroom designs so unique.

Now, curl up and enjoy our latest discoveries, and see who we've been having brunch with this month.

With love,

Sunday Discoveries

WEAR

We have succumbed to the seduction of Sézane knitwear, and their ethos - so near to our hearts - of creating high-quality, perfectly cut pieces that can be worn forever.

The company was started by Morgane Sézalory, who began her sartorial career by making adjustments to vintage pieces and selling them online. As time passed, her monthly drops became ever more hotly anticipated, so in 2013 she founded Sézane.

This mohair and wool Angie Cardigan with its romantic balloon sleeves and beautiful crochet finishing around the neckline has us swooning.

SPRITZ

With Italian heritage at the core of their brand, Golden Goose is a niche but iconic trainer brand founded in Venice.

Their perfume collection is created from the places around the world that have inspired their brand.

Venice Essence goes back in time, right to the beginning when they used to place a vanilla pod in their sneakers as their ultimate signature!

This scent is sensual vanilla, with notes of amyris and cypriol.

GIVE

A great tradition in Georgia's household is the Advent Calendar of Kindness.

Created using a home-made calendar from her grandmother, each little drawer is filled with a note detailing an act of kindness from each member of the family, for others.

Kind gestures are even included for Noodles the whippet, and Lola the cat!

BRUNCH WITH... HOLLY

We have a special brunch with Holly, our very own Head of Brand, taking a look back at how French Bedroom has changed over the past year, and what exciting things are still to come for 2023!

1. Describe your perfect Sunday

This week my dream bed arrived. Of course it’s a French Bedroom exclusive - the new Hunter Green Velvet Bed. So, cosying up against my velvet headboard, a black coffee in hand and a chocolate digestive – I think they’re seriously underrated biscuit!

The only thing that would make it truly perfect is if my Mum lived round the corner and she could come over for Sunday dinner (which she’d cook!)

2. How did you come to work at French Bedroom, and how have you seen it change over the years?

Having spent 10 years working in marketing agencies I knew I loved marketing and founder-led businesses, but I was fantasising about working in homeware. That’s when I met Georgia.

She gave me the time (time I knew she didn’t have) to help me figure out – where next? Our personal values and career goals/business needs aligned; her passion for championing women is infectious.

How’s it changed? Well, we’ve had our fair share of challenges, from Covid to by global supply issues and today increasing cost pressures – but Georgia always says ‘never let a good crisis go to waste’ and together we manage to have a lot of fun overcoming whatever is thrown our way.

3. What is your current favourite French Bedroom design?

Obviously, my new bed! I’m planning to buy the Forest Grove Chest inspired by our trip to Paris. Both practical, pretty but to me – also personal.

4. What exciting things are in the pipeline for next year?

Expect big things from our fabulously feminine brand, we’ll be appearing in unexpected places. We want to get as close to our incredible customers as possible and spend more time understanding what they need most.

5. What is French Bedroom doing to become more sustainable?

Georgia’s vision for the brand has always been timeless style. Staying true to that and designing products that can become antiques of the future massively minimises consumption. I’m really proud to work for a brand that does one thing well, and has done for 16 years.