Something I’ve noticed in recent weeks is the swing over from the ghastly grey themes that have swamped every single furnishing and decorating emporium have now abated and we have luscious spring and summer hues abounding.  It is a fabulous change and long overdue.  I’ve not really been aware of the length that those who … [continue…]

I have just spent the easter holiday with a sibling and partner.  They have lived in their very gorgeous individually built house for over 18 years and because they are not at all lazy, their palace of glittering delights looks as wonderful today as the day they moved in.  No exaggeration.  I was particularly taken … [continue…]

It may well be knee deep inpretty fuffy snow outside, but the magazines out now, happily spreading across every newsagent’s shelving will portray a lovely sunny easter sunday morning.   The publications of course have to work a year in advance – this seems absolutely crazy to think about.  How anyone can get into mood and … [continue…]

Well what lamentable weather we’ve been suffering lately – it is unbelievable that we can have greay clouds, thunder clouds, snow showers, force eight gales and bright sunshine all in the space of 12 hours.  This is along the lines of what’s been happening in recent weeks.  I start the day now with an automatic … [continue…]

I have been thoroughly enjoying a new past time . . . No exercise gear needed, no trainers or outdoor jackets.  Definitely don’t need the car.  No energy required at all.  Just a comfy sofa, pouffe for putting legs up, and my now very trusty tablet. . . .   I have subscribed to an online … [continue…]

There are various ways of achieving the main purpose in a decorating and refitting exercise at home.  Firstly you have ideas coming at you on tv, maybe the lifestyle programmes.  On the shelves of the local supermarket, we see many glossy magazines offering enthusiastic make over schemes.  So ideas come thick and fast.  How to … [continue…]

I have had the absolutely exhausting joy of escorting a younger relative round some of the local furniture emporiums in readiness for a big house move – from a very easily maintained and cost effective starter home on a development.  Within walking distance of all the town centre amenities, the new place is right out … [continue…]

Ah the joy of being in the company of folk who are mid house move – the excitement is overwhelming, especially if they have been lucky enough to sell the current property pretty fast and are raring to go with all the mortgage and legal requirements.  The couple I’m connected to are in exactly that … [continue…]

One of the things most influential about doing any kind of household project is the weather conditions – are the high winds and spit spots of rain depressing enough to stop all outdoor prep activities, or does this actually spur you on to greater things when the weather does pick up?  The strange summer we’ve … [continue…]

Gosh there are lots and lots of houses for sale around my way very suddenly.  I went for a stroll at lunch time and was amazed to note six more houses have got for sale signs up.  For thelast couple of years, the signs were not going up before the proudly and much cherished Sold … [continue…]

There are some amazing interior design ideas out there – the magazines are absolutely choc-a-bloc with schemes using wide open rooms with all kinds of furnishings incorporated into sweeping designs.  The idea these days is to open up the house as much as possible.  Bo longer are we hapy with little rooms – snug, cosy, … [continue…]

I’ve just been chatting to a very dear chum of mine from way back.  Although we’ve had to part our ways many times over the intervening years,  it’s the kind of friendship where we just pick up where we left off every time we reconvene.  This is particularly helpful when we’ve spent more than a … [continue…]

One of the most interesting things to happen in this neck of the woods is the number of families deciding to get the estate agent in to suggest a current sales value – then finding hemselves utterly delighted with the massive jump since the last time they enquired, the house suddenly a very lucrative item … [continue…]

There is no denying that the arrival of spring has raised the tempo in most omes – especially the homes with youngsters in who watch the million and one tv channels that contain lifestyle progroammes and their parents who catch up with the homes channel themselves.  There is one particularly inspiring programme following the purchase … [continue…]

March is the month when spring finally arrives after a long, cold winter and the house seems to start to come back to life.  From flowers growing in the garden, to insects begining to come out of hiding, it is a great time to think about sprucing up your home for the summer months. Begin … [continue…]