Interiors

Amitié, a lovely French word, meaning friendship and peaceful harmony and so relevant this year. 2023 has been full of endings and beginnings, opportunities and challenges and friends in all forms have come forward often at the 13th hour. When an Embassy visit was needed, French neighbours gave keys to their Paris apartment with the promise of a dinner as payment next time we meet. During a challenge, a work friend kept in contact across the seas offering support and checking in to ensure that the equilibrium settled. Others have been there to offer a drink, a kind word,

August is arriving and the heat is on. The beach beckons morning or early evening as the sun shimmers, the sand sizzles and the sea soothes. The song lyric springs to mind, 'mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun'. It is hot. Shades of orange and lemon can be seen in beach umbrellas, t-shirts and decor and sunflowers are appearing in the markets. Sunflowers are the classic symbol of the season and shout, summer is here. The history of sunflowers is fascinating as initially it was all about the oil, dye and healing properties. They are

"Summer afternoon, summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language" (Henry James). I am with him. Europe is hitting high temperatures in July and the beaches are full of umbrellas, suntan oil, seagulls and people soaking in the vitamin D on the sea. It is hot and everything has to slow down as we do a shoe shuffle walking to anywhere and everywhere. Suddenly blues, aquas and anything to do with fish and the sea is showing up in interior design. Readers of this blog will know that Feng Shui

"Wherever I lay my hat, that's my home', sang Marvin Gaye and Paul Young. For some this means constant moving, others see it as being comfortable where they are. Most of our friends have one key common factor, they have roamed and homed in many countries and cities. Some have one foot in one country and another foot elsewhere. Others are still moving forward addicted to the adrenalin of a new place and space. Many of us have rented and owned different styles of living, including cliches of dingy studios, tiny apartments and large suburban houses. We talk about

"The oldest form of theatre is the dinner table.” ~ Michael J. Fox. When friends gather around at home, or in a restaurant, there is a wonderful anticipation of bonding, or there should be! Yes, there are 'obligatory' meals, with stilted conversations and muted opinions based on what not to say. But I am talking about those get togethers where there is a genuine rapport and a love of good food and wine. Friends who love to cook are the best as this is a demonstration of passion and a sense of trust. What if the meal doesn't taste

We sang our hearts and voices out in a two hour concert in an ancient church at the top of Cannes hill. Thirty two voices blended in to one and it is an amazing feeling. Try it! It is also a community that has been welcoming and where good friends have been made. The night ended with a late pasta, lots of French songs, wine and bisous.

My favourite colour is finally showing up in stores here. Lots of navy, bright blue and a dash of turquoise. Being inspired, side tables were brought up from the cellar, or cave as they call it in French. Lamps and ornaments were placed and the eclectic living room looks slightly more together. It was always going to be a room that was difficult to style with Feng Shui aspects. It is placed in our Wealth sector, gets less light than other rooms but is cosy in the winter. The colours are stronger than we would normally use but different

It's the end of the Cannes film festival and beginning of a long weekend with summer temperatures. Mornings are spent at the beach and evenings with friends sharing recipes, stories and life. Suddenly fruit is everywhere, on towels, t-shirts and in interior decor. Feng Shui practitioners see fruit as symbolising growth, abundance and productivity. Think of the myths around apples as a gift of choice, poison or love. Other countries use fruit to show a new season has started or as part of a religious festival. Peaches in Japan often represent immortality and fertility and there is the famous

A previous French town that we had lived in was revisited and a wonderful new store has opened with every colour possible in ceramics. Dishes, jugs, bowls, cups and more and then I saw the fruit! It was a joyful explosion of colour and perfect for summer, which is just around the corner. Feng Shui practice sees fruit as a symbol of growth and abundance. If the fruit is made of a ceramic or stone, it represents the Earth element, grounding and providing a strong foundation. I will go back and buy some in bold greens and lemons. As