A lifelong passion for furniture and fabrics has found design consultant Flora Soames renovating properties worldwide with her trademark medley of old and new. Now at the pinnacle of her profession, Flora shares the details that capture her discerning eye.

Flora Soames

# A Note From Flora
“My approach to my own home and those of my clients is very much one of ‘more is always more’. For me, it’s all about how a room makes you feel – and the secret lies in what matters to you most. As my book *The One Day Box* shows, it’s about the layering of colours and textures, the bringing together of the unexpected, the mix of old and new, and the all-important things we gather over time that serve as a connection to our past and a passage to our future. Finding a way to include these pieces in your home in a manner that sparks joy is a deeply satisfying form of self-expression – and it’s an approach I apply as much to my wardrobe as I do to my house. In both cases, I think eclecticism, a dash of tailoring and plenty of personality go hand in hand brilliantly.” 

Flora - Copy - 01

Flora - Tiles - 02

To celebrate the launch of her first book The One Day Box, a special, limited-edition set including a signed copy of Flora’s book, beautifully packaged in a bespoke keepsake box. Including a copy of The One Day Box, published by Rizzoli and a limited-edition decorative keepsake box. With an exterior, wraparound print emblematic of Flora’s opulent style and lined in her signature Dahlias print – this is the ultimate One Day Box of one’s own. Handmade in England to a bespoke design by Flora for this special project.

Limited edition One Day Box with book

Autry's 'Medalist Low' sneakers are based on vintage styles from the '80s. Set on comfortable rubber soles, they're made from contrasting panels of smooth leather with a perforated toe and a padded ankle collar. The American flag logo at each side is a brand signature.

Medalist Low metallic leather sneakers

Flora - List - 03

Designed to drape like silk on the body, this shirt holds a beautiful weight and promises to be crinkle and crease-free. Wear with washed denim or elevate with a slim trouser and stiletto. The perfect transitional piece. Tencel is a form of regenerated wood pulp. It consists of cellulose fibers, made by dissolving pulp and then reconstituting it by spinning. When used alone, as in this case, Tencel is biodegradable. Fits true to size, take your normal size. Intended for a slightly loose fit For an exaggerated oversized look we suggest sizing up. Model wears UK8.

The Boyfriend: maple red stripe Tencel shirt

The scallop shell has been used as a symbolic and decorative device since early times. These are hand made from recycled brass and beaten into shape over a wooden former using traditional skills. Occasionally the brass has small marks as result of the manufacturing process and the nature of the material. It may be hung by a picture pin and easily removed for cleaning.The deep beaten shell reflects the light of a flame very effectively.

Brass scallop candle sconce

The timeless allure of Italian marbled paper has long been an inspiration. Fin's pen and ink interpretation of this historic technique gives a fresh take on a much-loved classic. This designs sits beautifully alongside Marble Chocolate and Ikat Azure. Each Wrapping Kit contains: A 3-metre roll of luxurious FSC-certified paper Two 3-metre lengths of 100% silk ribbons in complementary shades A set of 8 watercolour-bordered printed stickers A set of 8 matching swing tags 2 rolls of plastic-free Japanese masking tape Everything you need for a perfect present that's almost too pretty to unwrap.

Wrapping kit box in Marble Mustard

Flora - Tiles - 04

Our set of Dahlias placemats comes in all colours of our signature Dahlias print. Inspired by a flamboyant nineteenth century French wallpaper fragment, the painterly, almost three-dimensional design has a wonderful, nostalgic sense of maximalist prints of the past. Each set of 6 placemats comes with a mix of three different colour ways, Parchment, Jura Blue and Toscana, all with a different, contrasting jewel coloured trim. Made in England with a superior gloss finish and matte cork back, they have become a firm favourite around our table and beyond.

Dahlias placemats (set of 6)

Inspired by the rakish elegance of the Mayfair Spiv. Italian plush velvet with wide lapels and patch pockets. Model is a size 8 wearing a size 8, height 5'9".

Velvet Saint James jacket

Flora - List - 05

These beautiful Acrylic Wine Glasses come in three different jewel-like colours. They are lovely and heavy, and make me want to drink rosé in the sunshine! Choose between cobalt, cranberry or turquoise, or a mixed set with two of each colour. Each glass has a square base and a large wine goblet shape. They measure 13cm tall and 9cm at the widest point. Perfect for wine, water or soft drinks.

Acrylic wine glasses (set of 6)

Matchbox holder in Pink and Purple

Hand made velvet slippers with rubber sole

Velvet slippers

In an emerald geometric print and a ruby feather trim, Borgo De Nor's Haven trouser is a show stopping addition to your transeasonal wardrobe. The aim was to create a bold yet easy-to-wear print in evocative jewel tones, that can carry you from early autumn getaways, right through to underneath the mistletoe. Match with the Nova blouse to create the perfect pyjama pairing. 100% Viscose, 100% Recycled Polyester Lining. 100% Ostrich Feather Coo Trim, sourced from South Africa. Made in Portugal.

Geo black Haven hammered satin trouser

Flora - Feat - 06

Our Florentine Coasters, cast in a weighty brass with a felt underlining, help to make drink rings a thing of the past and give your surfaces the respect they deserve. Handmade by our Bronzista in Florence, the brass will patinate and age beautifully over time. Please note that as this is a handmade product, there may be minor variations between Coasters. The Florentine Coasters are sold in sets of 4 and make a wonderful present. They are packed in a gift box and presented wrapped in our "Biro" tissue paper.

Florentine coasters (box of 4)

Our Oceanside Orange Socks are inspired by the sea as the others socks of this collection, As such, we created a sock in a melange of orange and raw white mixing yarns with these two colors, and an upper part in Beige with three stripes in a blue toneWe complete the design with a chromatic detail in the tip and in the heel, and on the tip a detail in blue. Besides that, we use Egyptian cotton to create a soft, delicate and resistant texture. We also introduce rib knitting in all the socks getting a perfect fit and our hosiers finish the garment by hand .

Oceanside orange socks

At John Julian we believe that function shouldn't have to compromise form for our tableware and why should that be any different for our four-legged friends. Thrown and decorated by hand in porcelain, our dog bowls are durable, stylish and designed to last. They come in two different sizes and are suitable for food and water. These bowls are made to order with your pet in mind.

White porcelain dog bowl

A wonderfully old fashioned 1950’s inspired shaped slipper chair, available with either a kick pleat or gathered skirt. Made to order.

The Maud Dahlias parchment chair

The Ivory Pleated lampshade is handmade in my studio in London using a warm off white paper. It is finished with a dash of yellow cotton woven through the top and bottom of the lampshade. An incredibly simple yet intricate design, the finished effect is both elegant and striking.

Ivory pleated lampshade

Flora - List - 07

The reassuringly traditional plain glazed cream earthenware made by the great English potteries of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, known as creamware, has been a stock staple of Pentreath & Hall since it opened its doors over 14 years ago. Selling at first, the now defunct Leeds Creamware, still in daily use in both Ben and Bridie’s homes. Leading on to our own small fine collection of creamware column candlesticks and always with a smattering of early antique examples up for consideration too. In our opinion every home needs a little or a lot of creamware. Pentreath & Hall are now proud to present three latest additions to the P&H Creamware Collection. This Loving Cup of unprecedented proportions, generous enough to accommodate all your valentine’s flowers and an elaborate painterly commemorative dedication to it’s exterior. Which we look forward to exploring ourselves very soon.

P&H Creamware loving cup

Drop forged and hand finished in Yamagata (Standard and Small) and Sanjo (Large), Japan, our ‘double yellows’ are the perfect combination of refined craftsmanship and every day usability. Tough carbon steel holds a mean edge, the chunky catch at the bottom and the strong spring gives a reassuringly simple functional feel, and the yellow grips show up when you’ve left them somewhere in the garden (or you can remove them for a more traditional look.) Perfect for keen gardeners, landscapers and professionals who work their tools hard and need quality and precision in daily use. Jake’s current favourites

Niwaki GR Pro secateurs

UNIQUE SCENT & QUALITY: scented with the purest and highest quality essential oils used in our iconic and bestselling fragrance, No.88. A truly unique mix of zesty bergamot, warm germanium, rose otto and exotic frangipani with an earthy, dry base of vetiver and sandalwood RELAXING BENEFITS: these incense sticks create a calming atmosphere and a sense of comfort within minutes. A simple but powerful way to enhance the surroundings. They may also be used whilst practising yoga and meditation, the scents provide help with relaxation and focus BEAUTIFULLY PRESENTED: a pack of 20 fragrant No.88 incense sticks embellished in a uniquely designed striking black and white box

No.88 incense sticks (pack of 20)

A Tartan woven by Islay Woollen Mill for the commemoration of World War 1 Pure new wool size approximately 1.50 x 1.80 metres