Archive for December 2013

cocktails with the observer and john lewis

December 29, 2013  in food styling, interior styling

Sania Pell styling for the Observer and John Lewis

With New Year’s Eve coming up, I wanted to share a shoot I worked on recently with the talented photographer Beth Evans for The Observer Food Monthly in conjunction with John Lewis. Although this was Part 2 of ideas for a stylish Christmas it’s also perfect for New Year. The theme was cocktails in the jazz age, so think The Great Gatsby to get you into the party mood.

Drinks were served in cut glass tumblers and hi balls, food served in stainless steel bowls, set on geometric fabric tablecloths to set the scene. Cocktail shakers with their timeless and elegant shape were necessary to make the drinks and added a sculptural shape to the images.

Sania Pell styling for the Observer and John Lewis

Sania Pell styling for the Observer and John Lewis

Sania Pell styling for the Observer and John Lewis

I wrapped gifts in silver paper with strings of sequins wound round them and topped with feathers. Party food was luscious and luxuriant; deep, dark velvety grapes, devils on horseback, smoked salmon blinis and juicy vibrant olives, pomegranates and Pavlova all set in low light with twinkling candles. Recipes include Between The Sheets, Gin Rickey and Mint Julep. All quite potent from the small sips I tried!

As part of the overall feature I also styled and prepped the set for three short films for John Lewis with writer and presenter Felicity Cloake. Here Felicity shows you how to mix the perfect cocktail:

Sania Pell styling for the Observer and John Lewis

Sania Pell styling for the Observer and John Lewis

Sania Pell styling for the Observer and John Lewis

Sania Pell stylist for the Observer and John Lewis

Have a look at Beth Evans’ food, interiors and still life photography in her online portfolio here. Chrissie T Holden assisted with food and styling.

Sania Pell styling for the Observer and John Lewis

You can read the full story and see other images, ideas, tips, recipes and a competition to win a cookery class and a set of copper cookware! now over on The Guardian Online. There is also a great interactive version with high res images and videos:

John Lewis christmas celebrations, styling Sania Pell

All the props are available to buy at John Lewis so if you want to know what any of the products featured are the click on the main image on that page and you can see the product names and prices.

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and wish you the very best for the new year!

Sania x

 

Comments: 1 Leave a comment

Share

my christmas bauble designs – available now

December 11, 2013  in news

Neon pop baubles available at Notonthehighstreet.com, design by Sania Pell

I am excited to tell you that the baubles I designed last Christmas are available to buy exclusively at Not On The High Street.com. Made by The Letteroom, they are available in neon pink and neon yellow/green with sequins or snowflakes inside and you can have the message customised to something personal to you, or give them as a gift to a friend or loved ones with their name added. It’s up to you. And if you choose the right message I think these would look perfect hanging up all year round!

Sania Pell's neon pop baubles available at Notonthehighstreet.com, made by The Letteroom

As seen on TV! The baubles also appear in the fab NOTHS Christmas TV advertising campaigns too, which was a lovely surprise, as well as on the cover of their Christmas catalogue. There’s a twinkle in the air and everything’s more interesting…

If you would like to give your tree a neon pop sparkle this Christmas you can order them now at notonthehighstreet.com.

As seen on TV - Sania Pell's neon pop baubles at Notonthehighstreet.com

If you prefer a more traditional Christmas colour scheme I also designed the red and white version below. These are also available at Not On The High Street as well as directly from The Letteroom (whose Christmas catalogue I styled). This one is filled with paper snowflakes and you can choose personalised tape or a written tag with your very own unique message.

Personalised Christmas bauble design by Sania Pell available from The Letteroom

Personalised Christmas bauble design by Sania Pell available from The Letteroom

We will be putting up our Christmas decorations this weekend, something the whole family gets involved with. My children love pulling the baubles and lights out of the storage box and hanging them on the tree and we all smile as the lights get switched on for the first time.

Christmas is coming and I hope you have a wonderful time. x

Order neon baubles >

Order traditional baubles here or here >

Top photos courtesy notonthehighstreet.com and The Letteroom, other photos by Sania Pell.

Comments: 4 Leave a comment

Share

INTERIORS, FOOD & STILL LIFE STYLIST

ABOUT SANIA

Sania Pell freelance interior stylist London.

Sania Pell is a freelance interior stylist, art/creative director and consultant based in London. She is a Contributing Stylist at Elle Decoration magazine, with whom she has worked for over 20 years, and is well known for bringing a unique aspect to photographic shoots for national publications, leading international brands and retailers as well as style consultancy for architects and property developers. She is the author of best-selling book The Homemade Home and The Homemade Home for Children. A trained, former textile designer, Sania is also involved in many multi-disciplinary creative projects.

To enquire about commissioning Sania for commercial or editorial projects, please use the contact form.

Read biography

 

CONTACT SANIA

To enquire about commissioning Sania for commercial or editorial projects, please use the form below.

Please note we do not accept advertising, sponsored posts or guest writers on the blog.

Please click here to agree to be contacted by Sania Pell. Your data will not be shared with third parties. View the privacy policy via the link below.