‘Livin’ and lovin’ life 101′ newsletter – penned by a borderline OCD candidate who LOVED designing interiors, but happens to write psychic romance now instead. I love to be surrounded by beautiful things that don’t cost the earth. Why? Because we keep moving house and each time leave most of the contents behind… but that’s the whole point – each house inspires its own style and that should be unique. Life is also too short to be cleaning all the time – so shortcuts are my thing. Did I mention I’m a Gemini?
My life rules:
Home – MUST be easy to clean and look good with minimal effort
Ambience – MUST create an inspiring setting in which to live and write
Life – MUST spend time enjoying what I do: minimise time doing the boring, but necessary
Newsletter no. 1 – a little luxury, being neat and change it up!
First the luxury! Your bedroom is your haven. The place you can lie back and luxuriate in a setting that you might see in a magazine. Creating that isn’t difficult, needn’t cost the earth and will ensure you feel even more decadent when you do (finally) have the chance of a treasured lie-in. And, of course, it’s romantic…
Rules – no clutter, a place for everything (or take it to the charity shop) and light and bright colours – keep it simple. How to make you bed look luxurious:
A blanket box, small seat (as shown here) or bench at the bottom of the bed (or against a wall if there isn’t room) to stack the spare pillows at night.
Padded throws and accessories are expensive; simply buy your duvet cover in two sizes. Have TWO duvets on your bed, ideally a King or super-King on the top so that you have a nice amount of drape over the sides (here it’s a double and a king). The two layers of duvet make it fluffy and padded, at night fold back the top duvet. In winter, of course, you can snuggle under both!
The metal birds were inexpensive, £29.99/$46 from Dunelm ‘flock of metal flying birds’. They add to the overall tranquility but also serve another purpose here. There is a wooden beam running the length of the bed (it’s a converted hay loft), which isn’t good Feng shui, so I’ve placed some crystals in between the birds to re-harmonise the space.
Stand your pillows up, always have two each side and add a matching scatter cushion.
Top tip: if you are handy with a sewing machine buy an extra duvet cover so you have matching fabric to ‘play’ with. You can sew tie-backs for existing plain curtains; cut some MDF board, pad with wadding and cover with fabric to create a pelmet to match the tie-backs. Make some extra cushion covers or pillow slips….
Neat – yes, I’m a neat-a-holic and proud! Pet hate: leads, leads and more leads….
Top tip: one drawstring shoe bag (per person, in different colours – believe me it makes life simpler); one packet of self-sealing food bags; one pack of fluorescent cards. You will never, ever again spent time unraveling tangled leads or searching for your phone charger… so easy to sort it once and for all! Note: do this for your jewellery as well.
Change it up – I will be featuring some top tips on how to get your home looking pristine and keep it that way. Also how to avoid spring cleaning, but still make it sparkle… but today I thought I’d mention ‘seasonal’. To celebrate the seasons have a range of cushion covers that you can change with the seasons. Winter cushions are knitted cream (light and bright but with an interesting texture), spring cushions are mint-green leaves… summer will be vibrant lilac!
It’s a small touch but you will be surprised at how ‘refreshing’ it is to a room. You can also do this with your finishing touches – swap your ornamental pieces around from room to room. See what nature can offer too. Driftwood, interesting pebbles and stones.. and rummage in markets and at car boot sales for old ironwork. Anything that has a patina and is interesting to look at.
- A slice from a large tree, bought at a local market, with three old gate hinges
I work on a couple of basic principles – no clutter, a place for everything or it goes. If the house is tidy and organised it’s a) easier to flash the Dyson and the mop around b) you are doing yourself a favour by creating an uncluttered environment in which to live and relax. The kids and other-half are more likely to put things away if there’s a designated place for something.
If you have any tips you’d like to share, please post them as a comment or email me at lbhalton@googlemail.com.
There is a saying in the UK – a stitch in time saves nine! I love that one. It’s so true. Spend half an hour organising something in your house today and it will save you that ten times over in the coming weeks. Promise!
