I make lists.
This is my current one to be implemented really within the next few days unlikely as that will be!
Finish planting back garden
Order wicker planters for flat roof and figure out what sort of plants will survive up there. Our neighbours the lovely Jehovah’s Witnesses are building a monstrosity. They’ve taken down an old wooden sort of shack and are replacing it with what looks like the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Not only have they chopped down decades old wisteria, messed up everyone’s back yards but they are also building up and out big time. Only thing to do plant the flat roof to shield the view (more goddam expense)!!
Finish ordering Christmas stock
Run to Paris buy bedding
Test scented candle range and hopefully give lab the go ahead
Design stand for Maison Objet
Book hairdressers for Mung’s Maud and myself – could the dog groomer possibly do all 3 of us in one job lot? Would save heaps of time and we are all starting to look the same anyways
Restock the store
Swim or go to yoga at least once over the weekend!!
Take Design School international – figure out where, when and dates!
When I was a teenager I would write lists, stuff like what to achieve by 30 ie go up in a hot air balloon in Kenya, jump on a helicopter in NY, potter around Venice in a gondola. Now I still make lists but my how they have changed. They’ve got longer and more mundane but without my lists I would barely even remember to order food, get haircut, stick out the rubbish stuff like that. With so much going on without my funny little lists scrawled on post its and bits of paper all over the place who knows where I would be.
Anyways let get down to business. If you want a truly fabulous interior then follow this simple plan it works every single time I promise you. 90% of your space, should be harmonious, co-ordinated, beautiful and so on but then the remaining 10% should totally and utterly throw it off balance. WHY I here you cry, simple if you have an interior that is decorated to within an inch of perfection it will, no matter how casual the vibe automatically feel more uptight. This 10% is loosening the mood if you like. Opt for something that’s kitsch or fun, or supersized, or is in a bright zany hue that literally knocks your space totally and utterly off balance. So a funny piece of art, any kind of animal (elephants, owls, dogs all hang out here), a supersized table lamp, ostrich tables, art that has attitude. Its so simple when you actually narrow it down. There is nothing worse than having an uptight interior in my book. There is enough tension and up tightness going on in the world without our homes reflecting that too.
That’s me done, late, need coffee, same old, same old!
Photography Todd Selby
Have a lovely weekend
Your writing style is so effortless and personal it feels like having a great casual chat with a friend over a big fat latte. And while
I’m laughing with realization that I have similar out of control human and dog hair problems, not enough pajama time or wanting to be a super bendy and mindful yoga person, yet hardly can make it down once a week issues, I must take note the “dropped in” brilliant advise or a smart idea which always make me have a wonder and look at my
drawings, mood boards and visuals over again. Your blog is a master class itself but given in coffee mugs each morning.
Your words are way to kind thank you very much xx
Ooohhh bring design school to Ireland! Think you might like Bellinter House as a possible venue
Cool thank you x
Hi Abigail, you mention supersized lampshades and I was wondering whether you knew where I can source one please? I have this amazing lamp base which is a fairly large antique oak tree stump which has been blown and I am looking for an oversized shade but cannot find one anywhere! Any ideas? Would be so,so, grateful. Am hoping to book myself on your class soon, dropping hints to him indoors in anticipation of my forthcoming birthday………XXX
Hardest thing in the world to find. I find most of mine at antique fairs (DMG hold a number every other month including Newark and Ardingly). Haven’t come across a new source I hate to say that I could recommend.
Are you running to merci for the bedlinen by any chance? I absolutely love it! X
Merci indeed, love it too x
I really enjoyed this post. And I totally agree with everything Dora said (even tough she said it a lot better than I would have , my mother tongue being french and all).
I, myself, am really far from 10% (on the other end of the range). My place is decorated to within an inch of total and complete chaos ^^
But it daes clearly not feel uptight …
Thanks for these words. I really had fun as often when I read your blog.
If you don’t mind a suggestion for design school… it would be great to see you in SEATTLE!
and as always, love your blog posts!
Thank you x
My mum has huge airplants growing on large wire hooks and they look amazing. They are slow growers but require no maintenance at all.
You can also create a sculptural wall of smaller plants as in link below.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IDHNL6TJM9s/Tk5gh1M3NMI/AAAAAAAADPo/Sj3tjNleeFA/s1600/IMG_1292.JPG
Thank you for the tip shall check out
You do make me laugh! Brilliant advice as well as highly entertaining. My home is starting to look like a zoo with all the animals I’ve got (not real ones, well I do have 2 cats) but I do love the humour they provide! Nothing worse than a room that takes itself too seriously! x
[...] “Opt for something that’s kitsch or fun, or supersized, or is in a bright zany hue that literally knocks your space totally and utterly off balance. So a funny piece of art, any kind of animal, a supersized table lamp, ostrich tables, art that has attitude. Its so simple when you actually narrow it down. There is nothing worse than having an uptight interior in my book. There is enough tension and up tightness going on in the world without our homes reflecting that too.” – Abigail Ahern [...]