Travel Guide: Salcombe, Devon

I have just returned from a rather lovely break in Salcombe, Devon.  It was a complete wash out with lots of rainy days which prompted many a log fire burning in our barn in the chilly evenings!  Not what you really expect in June, but hey ho, we made the most of it.  Therefore, I cannot give you a run down of all the stunning beaches as I only managed to visit a mere few!

North Sands, Salcombe

North Sands is a rustic cove with a small beach which was full of surfers when I visited.  It has a great beach front cafe called The Winking Prawn, this casual eatery is a must if you like a good quality summer BBQ.  


Blackpool Sands was by far my most favourite of beaches in the area.  With the countryside literally rolling in to the sea, and thatched cottages along the coast line (one was painted in pink and was the most stunning beach retreat imaginable), it was idyllic to say the least.  It was cold, drizzling and windy when I stood on this pebbly beach at dusk, yet it was still breathtakingly gorgeous and peaceful.  I just wanted to stumble back to one of the cottages all windswept to light a fire.   

Blackpool Sands, Devon.  In the sunshine!

It in intermittent dry spells, we managed to do a bit of shopping in Salcombe, where there are some great home ware shops and lots of interesting boutiques.  The Salcombe Trading Company has some great finds if you like a nautical look in your home.  Also, Jack Wills first ever shop was, and still is, in Salcombe along with lots of other boaty brands like Crew, Musto and Henry Lloyd.  The array of shops certainly kept myself, and my credit card, occupied for many hours, and was a great distraction from the rain! 

We also went on a few boat rides, which are a must in Salcombe to get you from place to place to avoid an extremely long-winded car journey.  I was completely surprised that my little westie Maggie loved the sea air and being on board - she is known as being a complete wimp, so you could imagine our surprise!

Dartmouth, Devon

Of course lots of eating was carried out...cream teas, hot chocolates and crab sandwiches.  When in Rome and all that! 

Take Away Chips and Thai Fish Cakes 

The Salcombe Sands Boutique Hotel has just had a refurb and is in the tranquil setting of South Sands, which is just a short boat trip to the buzz of Salcombe town.  It has a great restaurant and afternoon tea selection.  I highly recommend a visit and a sit on these fabulous Lloyd Loom chairs...and what a view from the restaurant!  When the sun shines you could easily feel like you are on the Cotes d'Azur. 

The Crabshell Inn, Kingsbridge, Devon. 


My favourite restaurant that we visited on my trip was The Crabshell Inn in Kingsbridge.  I fabulously relaxed quayside bar, come restaurant, with incredible views.  Unfortunately for us it was (of course) raining so we couldn't take advantage of the outdoor restaurant, but instead managed second best with a table by the window with amazing views over the water.  I was in a complete daydream with the idyllic setting, imagining living in the perfect water front house which was just in my line of sight.  It was a nautical themed white and blue cottage, and rather dreamily had a matching white and blue boat moored on the bank.  Bliss!  

View from the restaurant - the perfect water front house with nautical blue and white theme

Matching boats

Now, to the food!  The menu had a vast array of seafood dishes as you would expect, but also accommodated the non fish lovers too.  I opted for the mussels in a white wine sauce, which were divine, with crusty warm bread and of course an obligatory side order of very thin fries!   

Mussels at The Crabshell Inn

The interior is simple, wooden tables, minimal accessories, definitely beach shack chic!  The music was a fantastic mix, and really complemented the evening perfectly. 


I definitely recommend a visit if you are in the area.  


If you have any recommendations of things to see, places to go, restaurants to visit in the Salcombe area please let us know, as I'm sure I'll be going back soon for more south coast adventures.  

Maritime Fun - Add A Coastal Air To Your Home

I'm off to a not so sunny Salcombe in Devon on Friday for a mini break with my family.  We are all heading down in convoy, lots of adults, two under 5's and a crazy Westie called Maggie, who can't wait to play in the sea.  

Salcombe is England's destination for the 'boaty' crowd, so I'm thinking that the sailing course I took when I was eleven might come in handy!  Although, I don't think that sailing will be a factor, instead, as per usual, I'm thinking about food and eating lots of fresh fish and super fresh oysters, and of course playing in the rock pools with my adorable nephews.  However, as Butterfly Lane has a distinctive coastal vibe at the moment, I've been looking in to lots of nautical looks to create the perfect beach house.  Or if you don't have a beach house, like the majority of us, I have found some gorgeous maritime accessories to add elements of summer, beachy fun in to your home.  

Nautical chic with classic navy and white combination

Now, I admit it, I am keen on a maritime look or two, not only for homeware but also in fashion too.  Who says you need to own a yacht to dress nautical!  I until recently worked for Sir Paul Smith HQ and was often ridiculed by colleagues about my 'admirals' outfits (as they fondly called them), that appeared in late spring, year in, year out.  However, I think navy and white, especially in a stripe, is such a clean, crisp and timeless combination for summer time dressing and living, and don't forget to throw in the odd anchor emblem for good measure!  Every year the catwalk collections showcase some variation on the trend, which reiterates my point of its timeless charm. 

YSL showing nautical chic

Back to interiors...

The classic blue and white colour combination screams nautical, and looks so clean and fresh.  Adding elements of this style in to your home is easy, and it works best with a neutral backdrop, especially with white walls and furniture, then adding accents of blue.  The blue panelling on the walls below, breaks up the crisp whiteness and adds warmth.

Alternatively, smaller statements can be just as effective.  Keep the decor white and add design features such as white washed furniture, lanterns and a navy and white striped rug or throw.

Helen Turkington 'Life's A Beach' Image

For an all out nautical look I couldn't resist including this image of a bedroom for lots of guests.  It is so fun and so perfect for any beach retreat. 

I have fallen in love with these gorgeous tasselled cushions by The White Company.  They are perfect for inside or outside.  Also, this wooden white deck chair is so stunning for your outside space, whether it's on the beach or not!  And remember lanterns give a great coastal vibe and are so versatile, use on your dining/kitchen table as a feature, on a side board or outside in your garden.  I recommend that you invest!

I hope you are inspired for some maritime fun...


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Travel: J'aime Paris!

It’s true, I love Paris.  A city of beautiful architecture, gorgeous food and super chic people.  I will even put up with the obligatory Parisian pomp for a weekend in this fabulous city.  I have visited Paris more times than I can remember for both business and pleasure, and each stay I have had a wonderful time.  After every visit I return home to Blighty with a distinct desire to become more ‘French like’ both in my outlook on life, with my fashion choices (throw me a Hermes scarf and Chanel 2:55 pronto!), and also with my desire to only eat teeny tiny food potions and to stay away from carbs completely!  How Parisian women stay looking so svelte and fabulous whilst there is a Laduree on most corners is beyond me.  It must come down to self-discipline, which I am definitely lacking when it comes to cakes, macaroons and anything in between.  However this desire to become more ‘French like’ usually disappears as soon as I return on to our fair shores and dive in for a Chinese take away and Kitkat Chunky on my route back home.  However it is lovely to dream…

Paris is definitely a city in which I can wander around for hours, resting frequently for a Café au Lait whilst watching the stylish folks glide by.  Bliss.  Here are Butterfly Lane top picks for a fabulous break in the city of lights…

Where to stay?

Mama Shelter

I most recently stayed at the uber cool and modern Philip Starck hotel, Mama Shelter.  As you would expect from a Starck design, it is extremely quirky.  Batman masks as lamps, stylish artwork hanging on the wall and installation art hanging from the ceilings.  Along with the funky interior design it is high tech too.  With Apple Macs everywhere, even on the ceiling in the bathrooms showing silent black and white movies!   It was so refreshing to stay in such cool boutique hotel without any pretentiousness; the staff are so friendly and welcoming.

The bar and restaurant inside the hotel is one of the best in Paris, so be aware you must book in advance to secure a table.  People travel from all around the city to eat there.  The cocktails are divine (great bar snacks too!) and I would suggest ordering the well presented fish and chip….just amazing!  Although the whole menu is completely tempting.  There is a great outdoor terrace too to enjoy on summer nights...

Villa D’Estrees, St Germain

Now if it’s location that you’re after then this stunning boutique hotel is for you.   This chic hotel lies on a cute Parisian cobbled street, walk outside the front door; turn to your right to see the Seine, and turn to your left to walk in to the hussle of stylish St Germain.   With decadent Parisian interiors, dark furniture and gold gilted walls, this small hotel is a feast for the eyes. 

Tourist Spots:

I normally hate to stick to the usual tour guides and dislike heading to the obvious attractions (a trait that I have picked up from the boyfriend, he is a stickler for ‘going off the beaten track’ to say the least), but in Paris it is silly to miss out on anything.  Every corner you turn has a stunning building or piece of history, and I would have been devastated to miss out on my favourite two Parisian tourist hubs. 

The Eiffle Tower.  No matter how many times I see the Eiffel Tower it still send tingles down my spine, as it is such an iconic landmark.  It looks especially beautiful when twinkling with thousands of fairy lights in the evening.  So why not grab a bottle of Prosecco, find a spot on the gardens and watch the light show!  Just magical. 

Le Louvre, the home of Paris Fashion Week past and present, the Louvre is a spectacular sight, just stunning.  The glass pyramid that protrudes the courtyard may have Parisians divided, but I think it’s a wonderful contrast to the historic surroundings.  Remember to pop in to Le Café Marly, that overlooks the courtyard for brunch, it is particularly special.

The two afore mentioned tourists spots are unmissable but Butterfly Lane has to suggest the following touristy visits as well:

A walk down the Seine looking at the street art whilst eating baguettes

Ice cream at Isle de Cite

Shopping in Le Murat

All a must!  

Butterfly Lane’s favourite part of town: 

This might well be a obvious choice but I just love St Germain.  The cobbled streets, chic shops, Cafe Flore, need I go on?  In my 'fashion buyer' days this was the area where all the fashion houses head offices were, Herve Ledger, BCBG, Paul Smith, so this area has fashion running through it.  Head there for a stylish day out.

Shopping:

Flamant

Pop in to Flamant for some beautiful home accessories, their products are simple, chic, and without any fuss.  We love!

Le Cedre Rouge

We love this shop!  Full of amazing kitchen ware, dining sets, and decorative accessories, it screams French chic.  A real must when you are in the city.

Colette

For top-notch fashion you must pop in to Colette.  The price tags are high but it’s just lovely to walk around this stunning boutique and admire the creations.  From clothing to books, make-up and so much more, Colette is the premier shop for fashion design in Paris.  They are always looking to push the next best thing, it’s super hip and you can find some really unusual pieces.

Finish your busy day of shopping and sight seeing with some amazing food and cocktails…

Restaurants

Le Chateaubriand, 129 Avenue Parmentier

This restaurant was voted in the top ten in the world in 2011, so firstly, you must book in advance.  The boyfriend booked a table weeks in advance and we arrived excited to eat the famous 'deconstructed' cuisine.  Unfortunately, when we arrived there was a mix-up, something to do with a Mr Davies in New York and my very own Mr Davies, our table had gone!  I must say that the staff were amazing (they must have seen the disappointment slapped across our faces), so we sat in the buzzing bar next door and devoured a bottle of vin, until they could squeeze us in. 

It was so worth our wait, we opted for the tasting menu, nine courses of amazing food, along with a drink to match every course.  We were there a long time, and all-in-all it was fabulously decadent!  The self-taught Basque chef, Inaki Aizpitarte, runs the stylish restaurant with the adventurous menu.  The restaurant is all about the food, no fancy soft furnishings, wooden tables are all you're getting.  Along with amazing food and great service, that's what Le Chateaubriand is all about.  No pomp or ceremony on the menu!  I seriously recommend this restaurant and you might just be able to do a bit of celeb spotting too!

Pershing Hall

Pershing Hall is one of Paris’s hippest hotels, with a fashionable restaurant, full of fashionable diners. Stood swankily in the centre of the Golden Triangle, it makes powerful first impression. You enter through a dramatic colour-changing tunnel leading to a luxurious lobby dominated by an amazing floor-to-ceiling garden, which really makes this restaurant stand out. Eat simple gourmet dishes or in the afternoon the patio becomes a place for afternoon tea, coffee and decadent desserts. Come nightfall, the cosy bar buzzes with ubercoolness.  I suggest that after dinner; stretch your legs and wander down the street for cocktails at the Plaza, with the Eiffle Tower twinkling in the background.   What a night!

By Day

By Night 

If you have any Paris travel, food or shopping tips, let us know!  We always want to discover new things!

Bon Voyage…X 

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From Stockholm With Love...

Stockholm is fast becoming one of my favourite cities, not only for the seasonal perfect weather and clean air, the constant tread of beautiful people and the truly amazing food (more on the food later, but I must point out that fish for breakfast has not tickled my fancy since returning home surprisingly!).  However, I love Stockholm last but not least for their stand out homeware brands, and I don’t mean Ikea!  I have always been a fan of Swedish fashion design, Acne is right up there on my must-have list and other Scandinavian designers such as Malene Birger are my go to brand for any occasion, so here at Butterfly Lane we were not disappointed with what this city had to offer in the homeware design stakes either.

We visited the abundant homeware stores, and trawled around the large, and the small, of what the city offered and we found the selection at NK (the Swedes equivalent to our Harvey Nic’s) to be truly wonderful and vast.  My favourite discovery was the ceramic specialists Paradis Verkstan who make amazing vases, bowls and candle sticks in pretty and neutral colours.  The pumpkins and onions are my stand out choice; they would look amazing sat on a kitchen worktop or dresser.  

Images:  Paradis Verkstan 

After a hard day interior design shopping I cannot recommend the Sturebadet Spa enough.  It’s the cities luxury pool, gym and spa and was once the haunt of Greta Garbo and is still a favourite of the rich and famous today.  The pool and spa area is so luxurious and steeped in history; it’s a real treat.  

Image:  Sturebadet Spa Pool

Food is always in the forefront of my mind and Stockholm has so much choice, I could have easily had an eating tour of the city that lasted for months!  But here are Butterfly Lane’s two favourite restaurants that we tried and tested during our visit.  All the restaurants were so inspiring for their interior design concepts, I hope they inspire you too.

Restaurant B.A.R:   This cosmopolitan eatery was a buzz of energy.  The brain child of the two award-winning chefs and gastronomic visionars Henrik Norstrom and Peter Johansson, their philosophy is simple:  the closer the producer, the fresher the produce.  The fresher the produce, the better the taste experience.  I particularly liked how they have a fish market within the restaurant, so you choose your fish, chat to one of the chefs about how you want it cooked and five minutes later it arrives at yor table.  Amazing!

Matthias Dalgren at The Grand Hotel:  Ok, so this was a real treat, voted one of the top restaurants in the world, located in the stunning Grand Hotel, the restaurant is split in to informal and formal dining.  All I need to say is that the food was incredible and the service was perfect, I couldn’t recommend it highly enough.  Even though it has been awarded two Michelin stars it lacked the portentousness and stuffiness that I hate, please go if you’re in the city!  I would also recommend finishing the evening with cocktails at the hotels Cadier Bar, it’s old school decadence at its best.

The café culture in Stockholm is brilliant and the cakes are to die for!  Here is an image of the mouth wateringly gorgeous selection I tried to resist, but failed miserably every day!  It’s a very good job that Stockholm is a great walking city, as I needed to burn off the extra million calories I devoured during my trip!

Image:  Design Sponge

I suggest walking around the Djurgarden Canal at Gardet, it is so beautiful and peaceful and has a wonderful restaurant Villa Kallhagen on the water’s edge (here I am talking about food again!), with stunning water views, open fires in the winter, a stylishly neutral interior (very Butterfly Lane) and an incredible Swedish buffet, what more would you want?  This is really family friendly, laid back and well worth a visit. 

I loved the Swedish cake selection so much that I bought a wonderfully traditional Swedish baking book at the airport on my way home to bring some Swedish cuisine in to my own kitchen.  It’s aptly titled Swedish Cakes and Cookies by Sju Sorters Kakor and has some amazing, indulgent recipes.  My favourite and fool proof recipe is for the divine and traditional Appelkaka (Apple Cake).  The book is available on Amazon for £8.00 and I highly recommend it for some Scandinavian treats!  X