AWESOME AUTUMN

Running on Hampstead Heath clears my head and keeps me sane. It’s always a rush to swap heels (low) for my Nike (zooms) and get the kids sorted. Yes we all run.  As the nights begin to draw in, the park keeper begins to lock the gates to the inner circle route past Kenwood House.  I suppose it makes me go faster but not so speedy as to miss the new signs declaring #awesomeautumn.  I love this time of year when leaves are turning and you feel a touch of cold. I also love autumn as you can wrap yourself up in soft shawls and beautiful blankets.
 
I have an exquisite de Le Cuona paisley cashmere shawl which I treasure and I also like the chic cosy blankets that The French House are now making. Many of their suppliers are artisans or small family-run firms and are producing exclusive ranges especially for them.  One of these ranges is a small new collection of beautiful blankets inspired by vintage French designs from archives collected over the years.
 
The latest blanket design, Deauville is drawn from 1913 design created on Italian machines from 1950 that are still weaving their magic. This wool stripe blankets are coloured in a rich cobalt blue offset with bold red, or misty grey offset with pastel pink. 

‘All our blankets are made for us by a small family-run company high in the Serra de Estrela in Portugal, using machines that would also easily qualify as vintage. The skilled weavers expertly work Italian machines that have been in use since the 1950s, and which need constant maintenance, as there are hardly any spare parts available. In conjunction with modern programming it is possible to make any design. The raw materials are mostly on the doorstep as the Serra is sheep country and that’s where some of the wool is sourced.’
 
Susanna Housden, owner of The French House
 
It’s #awesomeautumn and tis the season to wrap up warm.
 
 
thefrenchhouse.net

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