Catherine

When I think of floral decor, immediately visions of dated Laura Ashley or 1960s yellow daisies come to mind. Hints of rural living and vases of roses, cakes and scones. Not my cup of tea! However; there is a modern take on floral patterns and if used carefully, you can avoid your space looking like grandma's kitchen or a little girl's bedroom. Floral patterns can add a sense of freshness and nature especially if the flowers are dramatic and set against dark, strong colour or lots of white or cream. And even the 1970s daisies have been reinvented. Of

So here we are in week whatever and in Berlin the shops have re-opened and France re-opens their retail next week. It is interesting to ask ourselves what has helped us get through these past few bizarre weeks. Our homes have hopefully helped with giving us some internal harmony through at least having a haven to escape to. I am so grateful to my interior place as it has all the things and people I love, including two cats. I am also aware that others don't have this and have found themselves in difficult and sometimes life threatening situations.

My friends don't believe me but after years of selling and buying places, I don't think I have another place left in me. So we have bought our future home in Antibes and are selling our Berlin apartment. Even with the current pandemic, people are looking and we have a wonderful 360 video tour for potential buyers. We also have time on our side. Friends have also asked for tips on how to best to sell a place. Aside from it being the look, size and location that a buyer is looking for, there are also some simple tips

Well here we are in week whatever number. My last posts have been about the cleanliness of the bathroom for washing hands and the bed being a place to relax and now we have the haven of a comfy couch. It is the focal point for coffee, catching up with what other craziness is happening and for propping up phones and laptops to talk to friends and family. I have written about choosing a sofa and the key tip is - sit on it! Sofas On a Budget Don't discount IKEA. We had to buy sofas quickly when we

Week something of covid! At this time, there are two rooms that have become pivotal in enduring this confinement, the bathroom and the kitchen. The kitchen offers comfort for food and drinks. My husband is happily entering the world of baking and realising it is a science. I am mixing cocktails and buying decent wine. Over the years we have had the classic country kitchen of blue, white and wood, the modern black and white kitchen and currently, a cream and cafe latte galley kitchen. All have had three key aspects, the best that we could buy at the

As week 4 of the German Coronavirus lock down starts, several of us have remarked that it has become a 'month of Sundays'. This has led to what gives us comfort, what we feel we need to make us feel safe, happy and at home. Having lived in some shabby, not chic places in the past, a comfortable interior space can help balance inner harmony. So, I have come full circle of why I started this blog. Here are my key interior space needs:   A Shower I still think it is one of the best inventions outside of

In this unprecedented time of our lives, there is so much information, instruction, social media on how to learn, do, act and improve. I find it overwhelming and after reading an article in the Guardian about mindlessness rather than mindfulness, I need to mellow out. While I am happy to talk to friends and share any feelings and updates, I want to focus on the day and enjoy a time of just being. As the spring weather starts to show blue sky days, we changed the bed linen back to the summer look and it has instantly cheered us

During this difficult time it was in the middle of covid and I found it hard to write about interior design and it wasn't easy to keep calm and not to feel that every odd cough or breath was a symptom. So from this week, I was focusing on our core values and needs. I created this blog from a desire to blend interior design with the balance elements of Feng Shui. I can't control the outside world and all of its challenges but I can try to create an inner space that offers inner peace. This week, ornaments

Writing a post at the moment, with all of the virus anxiety happening, seems a bit frivolous as we worry about what we can't control. Research on how to reduce anxiety in a time of crisis states that colour therapy is helpful. Colour therapists recommend that we stop wearing black and put on something colourful and look for colour in our living space. So, paint a wall, add a bright cushion and turn on the fairy lights - create a sense of light and space. Here are some other tips to help with anxiety. Meditation with deep breathing -

To misquote Dean Martin, or perhaps not, I like a cocktail that gives you a 'kick in the head'! I don't want a glass with a thimble of alcohol, a can of mixer and half a bush of mint. It needs pure alcohol, a bit of chemistry and a twist of lime. I also love a vintage cocktail bar and have a mini one wherever we live. There is an air of glamor and sophistication with fleeting images of by-gone times, high heels, long cigarette holders and of course, a shaker or two.   What Should I Go For?