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Hello
Hello, my name is Tara. Welcome to my website, which is aimed at showcasing my bespoke Garden and Home Styling and Culinary Delights services.
Multifaceted Creative:
I realised earlier on that a singular vocation was not for me. My love of the place we call 'home' led me on my journey to find and nurture my many vocations.
I am passionate about Homes and Garden Styling and have written for many well-known lifestyle and Homes and Garden magazines.
I hope to inspire you with delicious food, beautiful sustainable home styling, as well as creating wonderfully welcoming outside spaces for you to step out to.
Services
Garden Styling
I am here to offer you ways in which I can transform your outside space. I can create pots brimming with seasonal colour that are both eye-catching and welcoming.
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Colour Consultancy
Looking to add more colour to your home, but not sure where to begin? Don't worry, I will work with you to create a personalised paint palette that's perfect for your unique home and style.
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Interior Styling
I will give you ideas and show you ways to transform your interiors with personal touches, by re-imagining and repurposing to make your most intimate space both stylish and inviting.
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Culinary Delights
I can make your afternoon tea that extra special with a wonderful selection of homemade sandwiches, Hors d'oeuvres, and deliciously baked cakes.
Tara's Blog & Articles
Tara's November 2025 Letter
A time to enjoy a walk through the countryside among the crisp fallen leaves, as the season gives way to winter
Tara de la Motte
Oct 281 min read
Halloween Styling
On Halloween night I set the mood for our Halloween soirée by dimming the lights and lighting lots of candles and votives
Tara de la Motte
Oct 151 min read
Tara's October 2025 Letter
We are now in full autumnal glory as the trees turn amber and gold, before winter's arrival. One of my favourite times of the year
Tara de la Motte
Sep 302 min read
SPOTLIGHT on ART DECO
Today there is a huge demand for Art Deco collectibles, especially furniture, that can be bought for a reasonable price locally.
Tara de la Motte
Sep 161 min read
Lemon Drizzle Cake Recipe
The 'Lemon Drizzle' is a wonderfully moist cake steeped in a sharp,sweet lemon syrup and is the perfect addition to your afternoon tea
Tara de la Motte
Sep 21 min read
Tara's September 2025 Letter
Here we are in September with summer fading away and autumn showing her golden sun-kissed face while painting the landscape red and gold
Tara de la Motte
Sep 11 min read
PERIOD STYLE
To me ‘Period Style’ is not just for stately homes, museums and other grand places. This is a style that can be translated into our own homes.
Tara de la Motte
Aug 264 min read
Chicken Quesadillas
A taste of Mexico. Chicken Quesadillas is a family favourite. A tortilla filled with chicken, peppers, cheese & seasoned with chilli & cumin
Tara de la Motte
Aug 161 min read
Tara's August 2025 Letter
As I write this months editors letter, bright sunlight is filtering through the window and I feel I could be sitting in a Mediterranean vill
Tara de la Motte
Aug 12 min read
Hampton Court Flower Show
The worlds largest flower show in the most magnificent setting - Hampton Court palace garden festival returned this year
Tara de la Motte
Jul 152 min read
July 2025 Letter
It is that time of the year when we can pause a little, enjoy and make most of these sunny summer days.
Tara de la Motte
Jul 12 min read
Fruit Salad & Greek Yogurt Recipe & Video
Tara's fruit salad with Greek Yoghurt is a versatile dish, that can be served as a side salad, dessert or an appetiser.
Tara de la Motte
Jun 151 min read
June 2025 Letter
We welcome June for the longer and warmer days it brings with hopefully lots of summer sunshine
Tara de la Motte
Jun 12 min read
AGE of OPULENCE
Art Deco style is elegant without being too fuzzy. Achieving this look in our homes today is not a difficult task, all it takes is a little imagination.
Tara de la Motte
May 152 min read
May 2025 Editors Letter
May has to be one of my favourite months. The landscape truly comes alive. Lush greenery and bursts of colour erupting all around us
Tara de la Motte
May 12 min read
Easter Time
Easter is a time that awakens our spirit, and for me, it feels like a wonderful period to celebrate life and new beginnings
Tara de la Motte
Apr 201 min read
Coffee & Walnut Cake Recipe
This is a lovely classic cake with a wonderful combination of coffee and walnut with a delicious cream frosting
Tara de la Motte
Apr 132 min read
Tara's April 2025 Letter
I love April, for me this is the month I really feel the changing of the seasons. Spring has really sprung! and it feels like every corner
Tara de la Motte
Apr 11 min read
Into the Garden (March)
As winter gives way to springtime it is now that the garden really begins to come to life.
Tara de la Motte
Mar 222 min read
Art of Display
For the display - I place the magnolia branches in a deep vase and fill it with water, just over halfway. Then I immerse the Camilla
Tara de la Motte
Mar 141 min read
Tara's March 2025 Letter
Spring has arrived at last! with daffodils, paperwhites, and a wonderful melody of colourful bulbs popping up everywhere
Tara de la Motte
Mar 11 min read
The Art of Display
Collecting the ingredients for a display takes years and the satisfaction you get from them is immense.
Tara de la Motte
Feb 131 min read
Tara's February 2025 Letter
After the hustle and bustle of the last two months with all the festivities, February for me is a month of quiet calm as I plan for the year
Tara de la Motte
Feb 21 min read
Winter Luxe
To celebrate this winter season here are some tips on how to survive the cold months ahead in comfort and style
Tara de la Motte
Jan 132 min read
Tara's January 2025 Letter
As I step into 2025, I like to take a moment for reflection and think about the past 12 months
Tara de la Motte
Jan 12 min read
Christmas Homemade Wreath
There is nothing more welcoming than a hand crafted wreath for your front door. Creating your very own foraged wreath is far lovelier than
Tara de la Motte
Dec 18, 20241 min read
Tara's December 2024 Letter
It takes me a whole week to decorate the house, festooning every room with festive necessities to capture the Christmas spirit
Tara de la Motte
Dec 1, 20242 min read
Home Sweet Home
Home is where the heart is... That very familiar place that we call home beckons us each time we are out of its endearing reach
Tara de la Motte
Sep 14, 20242 min read
Cucumber Sandwiches Recipe
The Cucumber Sandwich is considered the aristocrat of the tea table . It is described as the cool, gracious and the most impeccable sandwich
Tara de la Motte
Aug 25, 20241 min read
Victoria Sponge Recipe & Video
Who can resist an adorable Victoria sandwich filled with buttercream , strawberry jam and topped off with fresh strawberries
Tara de la Motte
Jul 20, 20242 min read
Tara's July 2024 Letter
I simply love this month and all the sun drenched days to bask in the warmth, savouring every moment
Tara de la Motte
Jul 1, 20242 min read
English Afternoon Tea Sandwich Video
Tara, creates the perfect traditional 'English Afternoon Tea' Sandwich selection. The quintessential English teatime experience.
Tara de la Motte
Jun 21, 20244 min read
Tara's June 2024 Letter
As I write this months editors letter, I am enveloped by the scents of summer blossom all around me
Tara de la Motte
May 31, 20242 min read
Smoked Salmon & Caviar Crostinis
I always manage to delight my guests when I bring out a platter of these smoked salmon and caviar crostinis
Tara de la Motte
May 20, 20241 min read
Shabby Chic
Comfort, Cosiness and relaxation are some of the fundamentals of Shabby Chic it is a unpretentious and exquisitely beautiful style
Tara de la Motte
May 14, 20243 min read
May 2024 Editors Letter
May is a wonderful month with spring blossoming all around us. The landscape is filled with flowers and lush green foliage
Tara de la Motte
May 1, 20243 min read
Beef & Horseradish Sandwiches Recipe
These sophisticated sandwiches with roast beef, tangy horseradish cream and crunchy watercress are simply divine
Tara de la Motte
Apr 20, 20241 min read
April 2024 Editors Letter
April is such a joyous time of year as the trees in our gardens and countryside suddenly awaken with the first buds of the season
Tara de la Motte
Apr 1, 20242 min read
Easter Time 2024
Easter for me is yet another excuse to decorate our home. After all the Christmas decorations get put away
Tara de la Motte
Mar 28, 20241 min read
Art of Display
I love displaying my hellebore flowers inside a crystal bowl filled with water but they will look equally good floating inside a China bowl
Tara de la Motte
Mar 14, 20241 min read
Tara's March 2024 Letter
March is a month I most look forward to and when I feel like, spring really has arrived in all her glory.
Tara de la Motte
Mar 1, 20241 min read
Art of Display
Elevate your everyday surroundings with the subtle art of display. Small displays with beautiful objects of affection that you have gathered
Tara de la Motte
Feb 29, 20241 min read
Cherry Blossom & Daffodils
On these dark wet February days it’s a joy to see the first Cherry Blossom & Daffodils appear in the garden
Tara de la Motte
Feb 15, 20241 min read
Chilli Prawns & Couscous Recipe & Video
My recipe for Chilli Prawns with Golden Couscous is a easy, tasty meal for two. Takes minutes to make and is lovely as a lunch or a supper
Tara de la Motte
Feb 7, 20241 min read
Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese Sandwiches
Who can resist beautifully made smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwiches with a hint of lemon. An elegant sandwich to grace afternoon tea
Tara de la Motte
Aug 14, 20231 min read
Wildflowers in the Park
Whilst on a walk through our favourite park - we were wonderfully surprised to see a small meadow of the most beautiful wildflowers.
Tara de la Motte
Jun 7, 20231 min read
A Spring Garden Posey
A beautiful posey of flowers picked from the garden with their cheerful, uplifting colours speaks of spring and the promise of summer
Tara de la Motte
May 14, 20231 min read
Flower Arranging (Tulips)
A simple arrangement of flowers can change the feeling of a room in an instant.
Tara de la Motte
Apr 14, 20231 min read
Beautiful Glassware
No home is complete without a collection of glassware - in fact it’s a necessity
Tara de la Motte
Mar 16, 20232 min read
Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese Crostini
These Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese Crostinis are easy to make, colourful and sophisticated
Tara de la Motte
Mar 8, 20232 min read
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