This is truly a strange period for the country – we’ve had a confusing and quite bizarre couple of years that have not entirely sorted out our exit from the eu. This in turn has caused a lack of confidence in the country and families seem to be taking a long time to decide on […]
The start of autumn approaches. . . . . Now that’s not our usual way of describing this time of year. We normally say that summer is fading and for some reason it seems less daunting for those folk who feel wholely uncomfortable with the arrival of anything remotely wintery. The first signs that our […]
In the 1970s there was a mood of optimism amongst the up and coming families. Many of them now had more money than their parents had enjoyed and new designers were coming on to the scene – making houses and the interior decorating of them much more exciting. No longer did everyone have the same […]
This time of year in the garden is quite magical – or it can be. This of course rather depends on what else is going on out there at the same time. We all know that the lawn mower brigade never seem to be in sync – as soon as one noisy petrol mower has […]
It’s amazing just how effective certain changes are to making a room setting look refreshed. The use of curtains and soft furnishings dramatically alters a space from being light and airy to suddenly darker and more sober – maybe also adding a darker window blind that tones with the curtains. I did this in one […]
I have been looking around for an updated theme for my house. I’ve had the same sitting room furniture for nearly twenty years and although the tough leather suite is still offering great service, and the matching pouffe is still in shape, the poor old book case could do with some resuscitation as the shelves […]
I was visiting a heritage property the other week. First trip out for this season and literally full of the joys of spring. The house itself was rather plain. What they call a palladian mansion – absolutely symetrical across all elevations with identical windows and doors spaced very evenly. The internal furnishings and decor were […]
The great thing about having the family around over a holiday period is the fun and jolly atmosphere when everyone’s gathered. Snippets of gossip and news are exchanged and views sought. Everyone should be mucking in to make it a truly happy occasion. There is the drawback though of a lot of work and if […]
One of the lovelier aspects of not having to go out to another liocation to work, is the chance to really get to know my house well. For many years I would trundle out of the house early in the morning, sit in the commuter queue going into the next town. The days when I […]
I do love a good lifestyle programme on tv. I try not to put the box during my working hours so 5pm is the earliest I allow myself to do so. I like to get inspiration for upgrading my home and toss the ideas around for a while. There is a certain amount of satisfaction […]