Interiors

Julia Childs said,"people who love to eat are the best people". Absolutely! A lovely long lunch was had with two French friends. Life stories and views were exchanged, the hours moved in to late afternoon and the next meal was booked. By the time it was finished, the anticipated menu was already being discussed. We had spoken with old friends the same day who we will see in May. Past meals were remembered and historical events revisited where the good, the bad and the ugly was shared and our younger lives hovered in the background. It is that one

The sun has finally burst through and has a bite. Coats are coming off, t-shirts are coming out and everything is lighter again. Spring is here, mimosa and tulips are in all of the markets. It is the time to look at what outer space you have. If you don't have any, get a big low pot and create a mini garden with bulbs and light grass. Many garden nurseries will help with this. For those with balconies and gardens, it is the time to clear out old plants, put down new soil and spruce up this area. You

There is a breath of spring in the air. The sun is brighter, the sky is bluer and our step is springier! Three kilograms of clothes are shed, tulips and daffodils are at the market, almond blossom is blooming. After a busy week at work and visiting family, we relaxed on the tiny balcony. Two chairs just fit and with a couple of lavender pots and glasses of wine and pepper cheese, we have all we need. Next week will be all about outdoor spaces  but today, it is a quiet dimanche, a good book, the best person at

The confident gaze of this Art Nouveau woman stopped me immediately. She is saying, I am here, I exist and on my terms. A short moment and movement, it was an epoch that celebrated the femme nouvelle who rejected conventional ideals of being a woman. Seeking a voice and having a presence in the arts, academia, sports and life in general. It was the era of cycling, moving out of corsets, early birth control and a female revolution. We are women!

Caroline Kennedy of the Kennedy dynasty said that, "as much as we need a prosperous economy, we also need a prosperity of kindness and decency." This begs the question of what truly is prosperity and wealth? I have debated this with other Feng Shui practitioners. For me, wealth is not just money but is about health, friendship, charity and kindness. This is easier with money but none of these can be truly bought if missing, and with current shaky economies around the world, the measure of a country and people should be measured by how it supports those without

"Blue skies, smiling at me, nothing but blue skies do I see", sang Ella Fitzgerald. Shades of blue, eggshell, aquamarine, icy, royal, whatever blue shade you can name, these are my favourite colours. They immediately lift the spirits with a sense of spring or summer, the sea or a lake, I could go on. Visiting interior stores today, I came out feeling very beige, bland and dour. Then at a French store, the shop designer was happily throwing as many blue items on a table as she could, even a pair of blue denim shorts. I thanked her and

The bathroom is one of the key Feng Shui challenges and is open to many conversations. It is important to remember that in old school Feng Shui, Chinese outhouses/toilets were awful, cold and dark. The West has made them into spas and a relaxing space. However, it has the most water and drains in a living place other than the kitchen. It is all about the Water element and how to reduce Chi energy from draining out. See other bathroom posts about closing or covering drains, no water themes or shells and placing mirrors under the main drain pipes.

It has been a busy weekend with visitors coming and going. Lots of food, wine and stories past and present to tell. Some memories came up about the past few years and the need to keep in touch and to offer the power of touch. Some are going through relationship issues, a couple of people are about to celebrate the next birthday decade, always a time for reflection. It is all about support, a hug and a kiss. So, bisous!

Mimosa is appearing in our French market, a sign of Spring. Meanwhile, we are heading for the coldest month of the year with a weak sun struggling through clouds and we are wearing three kilograms extra of clothing. Translated from Greek, the flower's name means resembling life and is used to symbolise the sun. Mimosa flowers were used in the past by Mayans to treat burns and injuries and the shrub's bark was used for coughs and inflammation. Perhaps it knows that we are still in winter and any sign of life is worth noting so why not send

Doris Lessing said that the 'bedroom is a place for reading, thinking or doing nothing'. Feng Shui practice would add the areas of love and the primary relationship. On that note, the main bedroom in the new apartment was full of depressing brown wooden furniture with bright tangerine walls, mirrored wardrobes and ten bright down lights. That image is probably all you need to understand why it has been painted white and cream! Next step was to pull out the wooden drawers, replace the broken wardrobe doors and paint the old salon doors. Wooden floorboards were replaced and down