Design Dilemmas

Episode 108. This week we're discussing how to expand a narrow hallway, bringing in layers to a wooden space and small bay window dressings. Plus adding bathroom lighting and the Sunday Niche Edit.

Good morning all and I am SO far behind this week due to a madly busy schedule that it’s now Saturday lunchtime and I am only just getting around to tackling your quandaries. It’s raining outside and not only that, it’s bloody freezing - for the past two mornings here in Yorkshire, my heating has come on which is an absolute outrage considering we are now in June. June! Yesterday, Ella and her boyfriend boarded a flight to Greece for a week and she’s been sending photographs and videos of blue skies, blue swimming pools and glasses of Aperol and I cannot even tell you how jealous I am feeling as I sit here (unshowered due to having to get up at 7am to take Leo to golf, ffs) with the wind raging outside. Seriously, UK weather, please get with the programme.

Yesterday, Dave the tiler finished tiling the courtyard and I can tell you that he was VERY happy to see the back of it. I posted photographs of developments on my Instagram feed last night and I cannot tell you how happy with it. I even bought Dave a bottle of champagne to ease the pain of his work as I felt so guilty for putting him through it. However, even he had to admit at the finish that the end result was worth it. He’s coming today to put one last sealant coat on the floor and then I can take my table and chairs out. Mat the builder came this morning and cleared, lined and prepared the raised border in preparation for the soil being added and once that’s done, I can hit Vertigrow which is my local garden centre which I am slightly obsessed with. Who would have known that planning such a tiny space could be so much fun? For me, not for Mat and Dave, anyway.

But back to business and this week, we are how to maximise the width of a narrow hallway in a 1960’s seaside bungalow. We’re looking at a subscribers wooden chairs that she’s not sure about and how we can make the space feel more suitable to the age of her period cottage. We are looking at whether or not to add or takeaway from a small bay window that might or might not need something to finish it off, plus bathroom lighting and how to get it right - do we need spots? You know the answer to this, ha. And finally, the Sunday Niche Edit is bringing summer vibes, despite the fact that it’s pouring outside with some beach ready bags for your holidays. Paid subscribers, remember that you can add your dilemmas or quandaries below here in the comments or you can join in the Group Chat (the speech bubble on your app) where there are thousands of you waiting to help with any issues that arise (I pick ones from both of these locations for my weekly post, so whack yours in).

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