Design Dilemmas

Episode 36: Today we're tackling art in sunny spaces, incorporating accessories with sentimental value, breeze block neighbours and how to create an inspiring workspace.

(Post lead photo credit: Elsie Larson, A Beautiful Mess blog).

We returned from a brief trip to the sunshine this week into what will now be my busiest month of the year. Christmas starts at the end of October in the world of the content creator (c’est moi, for my sins) and next week, I’ll be decorating my first tree of the year for a brand campaign. I’m quite looking forward to it, actually. I do love Christmas, although sometimes I think I much prefer the run up to it than the big day itself which often has a lot of pressure attached to it. In a couple of weeks, I’ll be posting my Independent Store Christmas Gift Guide where I’ll be listing 50 gorgeous present ideas from artisans and independents for under £50 - this has always been my most popular post of the year and it’s great for finding really unique presents whilst also supporting smaller businesses. Make sure you are subscribed so you don’t miss it - a great opportunity to get started on your shopping without leaving the comfort of your own sofa (a huge benefit, IMO).

I VERY much prefer Christmas to Halloween, which is my worst event of the year. I am the worlds worst Halloween door answerer. When my children were babies, I used to shut all the curtains, turn off the lights and hope and pray that all the trick or treaters thought we were out so that they didn’t bang on the door and rouse the kids. When they got older, we would wander the freezing streets bearing pumpkin buckets whilst they accumulated their stash, before returning home where they would attempt to stuff kilos of Drumsticks and Haribo down their throats as quickly as possible before I noticed and stopped them. I remember once being responsible for an additional few children for this activity, not realising that one of them had a reflux which meant that the minute they overloaded, the whole lot would come back out again. Luckily the pumpkin buckets were excellent for multi tasking. Oh, the joys.

Okay, back to your quandaries and this week, we’re discussing a five urgent subjects including whether you can hang art in a sunny room and the perils of fading. We’re talking about home accessories that have sentimental rather than aesthetic value, plus what to do with large pieces that you love, yet can’t quite work out where to fit them in. And finally, dealing with your neighbours breeze block walls and how to create a workspace that is bright, light and inspiring.

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