Finally I added a couple more plants around the space to make sure each area had some hints of green to draw it all together. Now I’m looking around the rest of the house wondering what I can get my hands on & embracing this new slightly darker look I seem to be loving! Against the partitioning wall is a sideboard which is part of the Liatorp collection from Ikea. This originally acted as our TV stand but we now have a white wall mounted TV which is a Samsung 32 inch available here. The one thing I said was that I felt like I’d spent far too long ‘staying in my lane’. I suppose out of fear & uncertainty. It’s much easier to stay where you are than push yourself to something new & unfamiliar but for the first time in such a long time I knew I was so ready for it, because after all, you don’t grow from staying in your lane. Instead of trying to escape my life like I was a few years previously, I felt so sure that this time was for the right reasons. I’ve spent far too long in mine, worrying about other peoples lanes.

He started by building the stud wall to house the stove. This was literally a frame of wooden beams with plasterboard attached. Obviously if you install a real log burner you have to follow fire safety guidelines like having special heat boards. Wandering along the River Itchen and Itchen Navigation, Chris explains the importance of natural surroundings when it comes to our wellbeing. His journey stirs up powerful and difficult memories from his own struggles with mental health issues. Walking with a hand-held 360-degree camera, Chris heads north, starting a few miles outside Southampton and ending up at Winchester Cathedral. Following the path of one the oldest waterways in the country, he meets those who live, work and play in the area.The roman blinds are from Dunelm called the Atlantic Natural which is a lovely grey/beige tone. These are actually way too short for these windows, but they’ll never be rolled down & are more to soften the space. I felt (& have been feeling now for probably about a year since my cervical cancer scare) truly content & just pure unadultarated happiness. New Year, New Me’ is in full force & personally I’ve got a few resolutions which now 2 weeks in have been going well but not only does it feel like the right time to make changes to ourselves but I also feel this sudden urge to redecorate & change up my home too. Anyone feel the same? You then lead down the hallway to the 3 bedrooms; two doubles (one with ensuite) & a twin bedroom, just perfect for a family. Matt used timber & some trim to craft the kind of look I wanted to go for including some DIY corbels by cutting 8x bits of wood using a template & glueing together then filling/sanding.

This whole room was actually inspired by two ‘hero’ pieces above, which I bought because I saw them when sourcing for clients & they were too much of a bargain to pass up, although I had no idea where actually they’d go. These were the two massive ribbed lamps & the 4 large framed leaf/plant prints. I designed the space around these as my starting point.In terms of meeting new friends, I have found that it’s harder to meet people than I imagined. I’m a really social open person & imagined I’d be welcomed in to school social circles but have found with Elsa & Rory being that bit older, it’s more of a drop off & run vibe than a lets meet up for wine. I’m sure once the house is done & we have a bit more time on our hands we’ll find our feet with that more. We hadn’t repainted this room since we moved in over 6 years ago so it was in desperate need of a refresh…the perfect excuse to give it a bit of a makeover & try out a new look. For so long I could only so much as dream about the life that I am now living. If I’m honest I didn’t think it would ever happen or that I would be the one to make it happen after so long of being scared to take a risk or step outside of my comfort zone. But let me tell you, it’s even better than the dream when it becomes reality. I can’t wait to see where life takes us but know that we’re going to spend many happy years within these walls & I can’t wait to take you guys along with me on the journey.

All of the shutters in the house are from California Shutters which are DIY (measure & fit yourself) & I cannot recommend more – not only are they about half the price of many shutter companies but they just look beautiful & give off the most calming light. I’m a big lover of ‘styling the seasons’& our loft is full of soft furnishings & decor items which I regularly mix up (mainly because it fulfils my need for change & a new interior look without breaking the bank!) but January has always been a bit of a limbo month. Too early for the blush pinks of Spring just yet. Unfortunately, I didn’t take any ‘before’ pictures that weren’t me completely butt naked in the mirror…so obviously I can’t share them, so you’ll have to make do with some other horrific ones I’ve found to grasp how far I’ve come. We had lots of prosecco & some delicious canapés but the best part was definitely the most incredible cake made by Cakes By Sadie Smith& topped off with my logo & signature bee by Alices Accessories. Our houses will be empty & our bank accounts full…just in time for Christmas when we’ll all be poor again & our houses will be full of tat.

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I swapped the usual display on the oversized footstool around & moved the usual big white Neptune hydrangea arrangement with one a bit more seasonal looking. The concrete look vase was from Neptune & the flowers are a mix of real dried hydrangeas (the green) then artificial types of eucalyptus, berried twigs & lilac hydrangeas all from Hudson Home. Thought number 1 was to put a log burner where the TV is. After consulting with some fitters I was told that I’d need to bring the wall out a substantial amount which would then mean that it would make the room an even odder shape & we’d quite literally have to squeeze past the arms of the sofa to go & sit down. I also got told about the maintenance & safety issues surrounding log burners & children which I have to admit did put me off. Lighting wise, this house doesn’t actually have ceiling lights & at first I was going to get an electrician in to put them in, but then I thought about it & actually we never used our main lighting, instead preferring soft mood lighting from lamps in the evening. I replaced the wall lighting with these antique brass Millhouse from John Lewis& love the soft glow. I’m undecided about putting some art work below them but at the moment want to keep this space feeling fairly fresh & bright. I also got this antique brass lever arm floor lamp, currently in the sale from Dunelm.