Design Dilemmas
Episode 112. This week we're discussing a large multiple use room and how to zone it, statement downstairs loos and rugs and carpets. Plus updating a kitchen and the Sunday Niche Edit.
As I write this, I am sitting at my desk on Saturday evening in deep discomfort for several reasons. Firstly, I did a Reformer Pilates class on Thursday and it almost killed me. When I’m doing Reformer, I love the stretch and am always quite pleased that I am not bad at them. However, give it two days and my stomach muscles are in utter agony and I realise that despite the fact I can do the moves, I don’t do them often enough and my body complains. A lot. Some weeks honestly, I can barely get out of bed within wincing. Anyway, as well as my rib cage aching I am also feeling quite jaded after going to Manchester for the night to celebrate my friend Sharons birthday with five friends (one of whom had come over from Copenhagen for the night) and celebrations started on the lunchtime train. Sigh. We boarded complete with my friend Pandoras beef and mustard sandwiches, Scotch eggs and a charcuterie board (as my friend Ruth stated, ham and cheeses always pleases) much to the horror of the packed train. Luckily, most of them were getting off at Leeds to see Pitbull at Roundhay Park so aside from a dramatic incident where a guitar carrying lady accidentally knocked a pot of garlic aioli over my friend Caroline, we were able to enjoy our train picnic in peace. Public service announcement: did you know that chicken wine also comes in sparkling rose? I can almost hear you breathing a sigh of relief that you weren’t on that train with us. Ha.
This morning, I got an Uber to Ellas flat to pick up her old car to drive home as she had a new one (the benefit of having a motor industry father who can get friends and family deals on leasing). The old car was previously used by Max, then Ella and now, it’s being handed down to Leo who has just started learning to drive. God help us all. It’s an old Fiesta with a dent in the side that was gained under the ownership of Max who used to leave it for days in the pub car park and it’s a manual. Obviously. Anyway, I haven’t driven a manual for years and this morning I had to drive it 75 miles on the M62 whilst recovering from the effects of tequila slammers (it WAS a birthday celebration, after all) and kept forgetting that it had gears. Not least I had sort of forgotten how to drive a manual car and spent almost the entire journey coasting on the clutch. Anyway, I got home, laid on the sofa for an hour to recover and had a cream cheese bagel to revive me. Which worked. This evening, I will mostly be drinking cups of tea and eating a jacket potato with baked beans and cheese.
Back to business and this week, we are looking at a large newly built room that needs zoning and a focal point. We’re considering how to make a white box loo into something glorious, plus different ideas for carpets and rugs. We’re taking a gorgeous kitchen that is almost finished but needs some final touches of paint and splashback tiles and finally, the Sunday Niche Edit is round bolster based after I read that Elle Decoration are saying that bolsters are the new black. And paid subscribers (particularly if you’re new), 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 or just click the link below) 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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