Interiors

“If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.” -Paulo Coehlo It is amazing to think that after over five years, this will be the final Berlin-based post before we move. It has been a pragmatic weekend packing final bits and pieces and we still have some to finish off. Moving is a strange combination of cleaning up and letting go and wondering if you should hang on to something rediscovered. We have been in this mode for a few weeks now and tend to retreat with the cats to the sofa in

In the Northern Hemisphere, Christmas lights and decorations are essential to brighten up some dull dark days. It isn't easy getting up in the dark and feeling like you should go to bed at 17:00! I am not a fan of winter and yearn for bright blue days even if cold. We are getting close to December in a difficult year and as I walked down a major high street in Berlin it was sad to see that none of the normal Christmas street lights, the little train, the little aeroplane or even the Berlin sign were up. It

On one of our last holiday days in France, we both said if only each room was a bit bigger. The next day our friend/agent let us know that the apartment below is for sale and completely newly renovated! So despite me saying never again - yes, Lesley - we had a look, made an offer and it has been accepted. We must be crazy! Back in the land of mortgages and paperwork and yes it is a bit of risk and there is a caveat, we will only buy if we can build an interior staircase to link

Having visited interior design stores this weekend, it seems they are stuck in the dark, sombre tones of drab potato colours. It wasn't inspiring, just depressing and I racked my brain wondering what to write about. The day was a blue sky day but we are coming in to my least favourite time of year, winter, and we need light and life even more this year. Some people even suffer from sad affective disorder (SAD) and use light therapy to lift their spirits. Yes, the comfy colours of Christmas red and green are around the corner but white, beige

Well, here we are again and it is difficult to write a post that doesn't sound trivial. This is a time of looking at Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. I hope that you have the basic needs of access to money, a roof over your head, food and water followed closely by safety. I have friends who have been made redundant and are seeking new jobs at a difficult time and are nervous financially. Others have had relationships crumble under the stress of being together or due to the natural 'flight and fight' aspects of dealing with a situation that

We have been in France for a week with the usual rollercoaster of highs and challenges. Anything involving internet service and banking always has the potential to derail. Fortunately, both were sorted out. Cementing friendships was also key. I am lucky to have met potential 3am friends - those who show up regardless of the situation. Those who are there for you in spite of your stupidity, sadness and crazy antics. I can see some of our new friends showing signs of this and I am grateful. As we count down the next few weeks to our permanent move,

The power of a bouquet of flowers. We are only as strong as our community and many are going through tough times. This week I was reminded of this. I finally got our French taxes, paid them and then found out the bank details on the tax site were wrong. It was the end of a frustrating day but in two hours, my wonderful German bank manager stopped the payment, my French real estate agent advised me, even the tax dept helped a bit! And my husband bought me flowers. I kissed the money goodbye and was thankful for

I watched a wonderful film called The Glorias around the life of Gloria Steinem and the feminist movement which really focuses on equality for both genders and all races and life choices. Interestingly, Feng Shui seeks a balance and equality between Yang, the masculine energy and Yin, the feminine twin. The classic black and white symbol shows white with a piece of black and black with white. Each balances the other and with either element missing, neither can exist without imploding.   Yin - What is It? Yin black symbolises the cool, calm silence of the moon and stars

In Feng Shui practice, a rice bowl symbolises abundance and prosperity in life, career and of course, money. They are not just for serving dishes. Singing bowls are brass bowls tuned to a note which can be used to clear out old energy and being a singer, I have a lovely one in a rich tone which I happily use when moving in or out of a home. In Asia, you will often see a wealth bowl in a house full of items that symbolise money including faux jewels. I am not a fan of this kind of Feng

There is a song chorus that says, 'you'll always find people in the kitchen at parties.' The kitchen is a key hub for us and we are upgrading a French kitchen. We have had several styles in the past and most have had Feng Shui applied with the right colours and placement. We have had a country kitchen with blue bench tops, black and white smart ones with chic surfaces and now our current Berlin kitchen, all cafe latte and soft buttermilk. Our French kitchen was a kind of renovation with a sort of kitchen put in with bits