Design Dilemmas

Episode 55: This week we're discussing bay window dressings, replacing baths with showers and built in seating. Plus incorporating lighting into the garden and choosing kitchen sofas.

[cover photography via Bianca Hall]

This weekend, I am dilemma free as our friends are visiting us from Caversham and I cannot WAIT. I was born and brought up in the South of England and we now live in the North, 350 miles away from our nearest relative and a similar distance from our close friend group - time and schedules mean that we don’t get together that often so when they do, it is always cause for celebration. I’ve booked one of my favourite wine bars for a sharing platter lunch on Saturday and then planned in a long walk around the York Walls as the sun is apparently staying too. Whether or not we actually GET to the York Walls after a lunch of cod cheeks (SO GOOD), cheese, charcuterie and wine is, of course, another matter. We can but try.

Also very excited because my favourite reality programme ever has returned. No, not Real Housewives Of Beverley Hills (although that does run a close second) but L’Agence which returned to Netflix on Wednesday and I have been saving for today. I LOVE this programme. I have waffled about this before, but it follows the Kretz family who own a Real Estate business in France and who are all, coincidentally, very good looking. More than that though, it’s in French so you get the joy of listening to them speak too, even though I don’t understand half of it. But most of all, the properties are OFF THE SCALE amazing. Even the small ones. It’s a commonly known fact that French people are born ridiculously stylish - they don’t even have to try - and their houses reflect this. They have this whole casual chic, just threw it all together look in all the properties that they show and it’s super inspiring. In fact, the smaller the property, the more chic it is. If you need me later, I’ll be on the sofa with a glass of Chablis and a bowl of Brets Fromage Du Jura. Oh oui.

Back to business and this week we are talking about bay window dressings - curtains, blinds or nothing? Whether or not you should take a bath out and replace it with a shower and what that could do to your house price. Inspiration for built in seating (there’s lots of it!) and incorporating garden lighting now the weathers getting better and finally, choosing a sofa that’s suitable for a kitchen space.

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