Interiors

Next week's weather is autumnal - when a strange melancholy arrives as leaves drop and the sun weakens as if apologising for losing interest. Winter coats are appearing in store window displays accompanied by socks, boots, hats and gloves. Most of us are crying ... Nooooo! Not being a fan of the dark and damp, I seek to create what the English call, a 'cosy' interior atmosphere or the Germans call 'bequem'. This doesn't mean you have to go for deep browns and greens, unless you love them and also if they are important according to Feng Shui practice -

With the Amazon forests burning and the ice caps prematurely melting, we need to honour Mother Nature. I am trying to reduce my use of plastic - not easy and I think before I buy that t-shirt and recycle where I can. Considering that a fundamental rule of Feng Shui is to declutter, it is also about our throw-away society, something I have also been guilty of. One friend is teaching us about non-plastic alternatives, another about re-using fashion and avoiding non-biodegradable fabrics. It may seem like the latest fad but it aligns with the harmony of yin and

I was in an interior design store, Maison du Monde, looking at the new autumn colours and I heard a woman admire the display, sigh and buy a neutral, beige cushion. Now I love soft beiges as they remind me of my favourite place, the beach. However, there is a touch of sand and there is dull, ordinary and neutral colour that just screams - practical! So let's look at where, why, how and when to use patterns. Size Matters When decorating, the size of the room needs to be considered as well as how much light is coming

I have a friend who had to leave everything behind her for a range of personal reasons. She is a young woman who is embarrassed that she has mismatching plates and mugs to use for guests. It was her birthday and it was a lovely excuse for me to go to the Zara Home sale and buy her pretty white plates, bowls and lovely water glasses. It made her so happy so easily. As a lover of beautiful cups, plates and way too many vintage glasses, I love finding bargains and also appreciate the expensive porcelain as well.   Beautiful

Metal is an interesting Feng Shui element and in its positive form it represents purity, clarity, honesty and freshness. In its negative form, it can be blunt, cool and too precise. The key colours that partner with metal are shades of grey and tones of white. The other elements include Earth which strengthens and creates the Metal element and Metal is aligned with Water as it is created from Metal. The elements to avoid are Fire as that melts Water and Wood as Metal cuts down Wood.   Where Can I use Metal? Checking out the Bagua Map, a

Raymond Peynet is a famous French illustrator and known for his poignant drawings of lovers. There is a tender element that strikes you when you view his work. This lovely statue is in a central area in Antibes outside a tiny museum in his memory. With so much going on, we need to remind ourselves of kindness, compassion and unconditional love.  

Follow my blog with Bloglovin “The home should be the treasure chest of living.” Le Corbusier. We lived in an amazing city, Berlin, with its truly international, diverse history, architecture and challenging bureaucracy. We had a lovely apartment that felt as if it was in a treehouse and it had  a gentle but fun energy. The colours were perfect with soft hues of sky blue, cafe latte and cream. But our hearts need to be near the sea in all seasons and I have a strong connection with the French culture. The South of France is an escape from

Let's talk about jewel colours - ruby, amethyst, aquamarine, emerald, sapphire, citrine and topaz.  They add style and drama, often lacking in neutral tones, and in the right amount, can offer warmth and a deluxe hotel feel. These tones that are on trend at the moment, can be seen from the living room to the bedroom, offering elegance and making a real statement. If you choose to use one or more of these, you need to ask yourself, how much? Do you go big and bold or just accent? It does require planning and careful selection of colour and

There is one word that starts a New York conversation - 'storage'. It is still the city I have lived in that really gets it and has come up with a range of wardrobe, packing and lock-up solutions. Other cities need it as well as many of us live in smaller spaces whilst living in a shopping world that entices us with stuff. There is a reason that tiny houses are popular and books on minimalism are constantly being highlighted. Check out the Container Store, Bed, Bath & Beyond and Home Depot in the USA or if you are