Design Dilemmas
Episode 106. This week we're discussing lamps for reading, updating wall lights and smart outdoor cushions. Plus stone garden sculptures and the Sunday Niche Edit.
Good morning all and as you read this, I am likely preparing to go on a walk across the Northumbrian countryside. I know, this is not my comfort zone. It’s my friend, Sam’s, birthday and to celebrate we are going on a walk from Craster and ending in a pub. I have just received a WhatsApp message telling me to bring a packamac or a Peterstrom and have NFI what that is but I know that I don’t own either of them. I am truly lacking in hardcore walking clothes, with only what would be classed as ‘fashion’ trainers in my wardrobe and the closest I get to a waterproof jacket is a Damson Madder quilted floral collar trench. Sigh. I am the LEAST countryside walk person in the world, as regular readers will be aware, but I am looking forward to time spent chatting with my friends and also the pub lunch at the end.
As I write this, Dave the tiler has just left the building after laying the yellow matting down in preparation for laying the reclaimed terracotta in the tiny courtyard. Tomorrow, he says, he will lay ALL the floor tiles which has a double bonus, the first being that the floor will be done and the second being that my kitchen will no longer be housing the floor tiles. Currently, you can’t sit at the dining table as there are tiles stacked high around it which is a bit of an issue so this will be a game changer. I am also really looking forward to the tiling being completed because when it is, they can line and fill the raised bed and then, my friends, I can go wild in the garden centre. Honestly, I cannot WAIT. I feel as if the older I get, the more I love planning out garden stuff and it’s so much fun. Also, because it’s only a tiny garden I should be able to keep on top of it all fairly easily, I hope. I’m basically Kim Wilde, now.
But back to business and this week, we are discussing rechargeable wall lights that ship to Europe, plus updating light fixtures that we don’t like so much anymore but don’t really want to remove the whole lot. There’s an edit of really nice outdoor cushions that will look as good indoor as they do outdoor and I’m talking stone garden ornaments - naff or not naff? And finally, the Sunday Niche Edit is a collection of rather nice ones. 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).
You can READ ON by becoming a paid subscriber which means that not only do you receive four free posts a month but you’ll also get an eight EXTRA posts a month (including all my plans for our new home) plus Chat threads so you can join our blossoming community. You’ll be able to access my archive to read ALL of my past posts (including recipes and travel write ups) for the price of one coffee a month. I would thoroughly recommend!