Design Dilemmas

Episode 31: Today we are tackling good options for cupboard doors that don't cost the earth and tablecloths for round tables. Plus islands vs kitchen tables, plate hanging and blank kitchen walls.

I’ve been home almost all of this week, which has been, admittedly, rather nice. Last weekend was busy and I went to Bath early on the Sunday morning (a mere five hour journey, I KNOW) to meet my Mum and my sister, Annabel, for a night away at The Bath Priory which was utter heaven. Years ago when I was of primary school age, we lived in the West Country - Wellington, home of the public school - and I have many good memories of Somerset and weekend trips to Branscombe and Beer. The weather, however, was not on our side on Sunday and it absolutely poured, putting paid to our plans of a shopping browse and outdoor coffee stops. I LOVE Bath. It’s so pretty and reminds me so much of York, where we live now. Lots of Georgian architecture, cobbled streets, tea shops and the odd touristy shop (why is it that it matters not where you are in the UK, where there are tourists there is ALWAYS an Edinburgh Woollen Mill and a London memorabilia shop?). PS: I am running an competition to win a night away with dinner at The Bath Priory on my Instagram feed which ends tonight - tap here to enter.

Anyway, I travelled home on the Monday lunchtime amidst storm warnings and what can only be described as torrential rain - virtual rivers running down the pavements - on a train that was unbelievably not delayed and was back home by 4pm. I headed straight for the living room and lit the log burner, wind whipped and damp from being soaked whilst running to the station, with hair that resembled Crystal Tipps (niche reference that only my own age demographic will get but that is PRECISELY how I looked). The remainder of the day was spent in recovery on the sofa with tea, Max’s birthday cake and The Apple Never Falls (oh, I would HUGELY recommend this Lianne Moriety series - eight episodes, great cast on iPlayer) in order to be back on form for Tuesday. And no, it’s rained all week so I’ve barely left the house since, ha. I am not made for this weather, I tell you.

Okay, back to your quandaries and this week, we’re discussing the where to find kitchen cupboard handles without spending lots of money, plus mixing metals. How to hang your plates on the wall (yes, again, but I’ve been asked a few times this week, ha) and what to do with a bit of kitchen wall that has no obvious use (I have PLENTY of ideas for this, as you can imagine). And finally, the round tablecloth question which has been the paid subscriber Chat for a while - I’ve done an edit of my five favourite finds.

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