Yorkshire Velvet

02/06/2026

We are halfway through GCSE season here - eldest is working her socks off and deserves to do so well. Hope everyone else doing exams is coping OK and feeling positive.. The end is in sight! ☘️

01/06/2026

I tried but there was just no way I could leave without this trio of beauties. They are French game baking dishes designed for serving up rich game pies and stews, but I think they will be perfect for puddings too. Can’t decide which design is my favourite - the duck, partridge or deer?

30/05/2026

Beautiful light yesterday evening. Enjoying a few days break in Suffolk in this gorgeous 500 year old farmhouse. Picked up the sound of a Peregrine Falcon on my Merlin bird app - very cool!

25/05/2026

Still 27 degrees here in North Yorks at 7 o’clock! Celebrating with an impromptu picnic & Pimm’s in the field behind our house. What an amazing Bank Holiday Monday…

24/05/2026

Made a big bowl of Eton Mess yesterday to share with friends. My Mum used to make the most beautiful Pavlovas for Sunday puddings but somehow it’s taken me almost 49 years to make homemade meringue. Absolutely delicious but lesson learned it needs to be eaten quite quickly after assembling as the meringue had sort of dissolved in the cream! Recipe on

22/05/2026

16/05/2026

The twin bedroom en-suite was the main bathroom in the house. We boarded up the original doorway and knocked through from the bedroom so that each guest could enjoy their own private bathroom. We tried to make the most of the long relatively thin space by moving everything around including where the bath and toilet were positioned. It’s quite a muted look with wood effect porcelain tiles from and T & G panelling painted in Timeless. A splash of colour comes from the gorgeous Terrazzo tiles from The cute little wall lights are from and fit perfectly in the space. The vanity unit was made bespoke for us by Bath and Shower Fittings from Last but not least a couple of gorgeous prints from adds interest on the walls..

10/05/2026

Popped into on Friday for a coffee and mooch. What a gorgeous addition to Helmsley’s collection of independent stores. The children’s book section is so cosy - the perfect space to inspire little ones to swap screens for paper. Lots more besides books to tempt; beautiful artwork, cards, wrapping paper and homeware too. Love it!

08/05/2026

Huge day in the Velvet house. Last ever day of school for our eldest. GCSEs here we go!!

07/05/2026

Two Gorgeous New Shops in Helmsley! - https://mailchi.mp/400d0711108a/welcome-to-the-velveteen-bath-house-10144012