Shrewsbury...

So, we went to Shrewsbury, Shropshire for 5 days.  Hubby signed up to do a fine box making course.  The course took place in barn/workshop on a farm near a little village called Church Stretton...a lovely little place to do a course and he loved it!  And he produced a beautiful walnut box with maple and blackwood inlay..which was a present for me for Valentine's Day!  It isn't quite finished yet as it needs to be lined and the hinges need to be added plus it needs some more very fine sanding and finally finishing with oil (will proudly post pictures when complete!).

Shrewsbury is a beautiful town dating back to the 15th century and is full of beautiful timber-framed, lopsided buildings...lots of hills, winding alleys and the River Severn runs along beside it.  I took lots of pictures but unfortunately, for the entire time we were there it was grey and wet...never mind, we still had a lovely time.

The hotel we stayed in was gorgeous...part of it dating back to medieval times.  It was recently refurbished (very sensitively) and what a great job!  I spent lots of time hanging out in the bar/bistro area, close to the huge open fire, reading writing and generally stuffing my face and having decadent glasses of wine in the middle of the afternoon!

I loved the decor...white and grey, painted furniture, tongue and groove panelling, oak floors with a little industrial edge thrown in with the addition of the tolix chairs and stools in the bar/bistro/cafe area.  The bedside lamps in our room were the ghost ones by Philip Stark.  There was a little seating area on the landing upstairs and I noticed Ikea Karlstad armchairs and some Ikea rugs.  The entire look was put together really thoughtfully and worked beautifully.  It really was a delight to be there.

Some of hotel below - will post photos from around Shrewsbury later.

Hope you are having a great weekend :)