The reason I am so obsessed with design or decorating (if I want to make it sound more laid back casual) is because I seriously believe it changes lives and can make you happier. I talk from experience because I can honestly say it’s made me so much happier. Yesterday walking back through the dark streets from the physio I came upon a home with a single light in the living room. Get this a single low energy bulb suspended from a piece of white flex in the living room nothing else on the lighting front! There was also a glitter ball in the window (can’t quite deal with both problems on one day so we will stick with the lighting issue) I stopped and peaked through some more, one sofa, one chair, one coffee table and a big TV. No stuff, no pictures, flowers, lighting, rugs, no stuff. No stuff on the coffee table, nothing!
I didn’t bang on the door and yell ‘design police’ you have undertaken a criminal design offence off to jail you go, I wanted to but hey each to there own I thought. If that makes you happy go for it, but does it? Maybe, great if so, no looking at a zillion interior images a day, trawling flea markets at 6.30 am, scouring eBay and other online sites – no sirree.
This is a personal viewpoint obviously but things that make a home happy is stuff, personal stuff it doesn’t have to cost a fortune, it can if you want but it has to mean something. I say this a thousand times a day (apologises) but if you want to create a memorable interior, one where you will never ever want to leave you have to start layering. Books on side tables, lamps, t-lights, candles on mantles, stuff. When I’m on the way home I often times envision my pad, lights softly glowing, fire quietly crackling, sofa squishy and comfy, the two M’s bounding up at me the minute the key goes in and it makes me happy. Coming home to a room with nothing in it, and a single low energy bulb wouldn’t make me happy but that’s me.
Some images below, just things that someone loves that make up a tableau and show us, the sticky beaks that whoever lives here loves their pad.
I completely agree.. I am nt for voluptous flambyouant design but I do think coming home to an ambience and warmth is the greatest factor.. Lights for sure soft textures for sure.. N nooo clutter.. A cozy bed.. I am 100 percent with u.. The picture u described is a ticket to depression!
I was thinking exactly THIS on my way to work this morning. Waking up everyday in my beautiful -to me- home, resting there at evenings, looking at the beautiful things I bought (on a dime btw) and how I love them… And above all, hearing my husband telling me how he loves our home and how beautiful it turned out… Makes a big weight on our happiness and for me aswell it’s hard to understand how people can boost their happiness in a one single light bulb room…
And… on your thoughts yesterday, I totally respect dark rooms and won’t make crappy jokes, but love me a white one! hahaha!
Love your blog and thoughts.
XOXO
Thank you – and encouraging words indeed x
Morning Abi, your blog is such an adrenalin surge on an otherwise humdrum day. i need a bit of your positivity – I have taken the plunge to move to the dark side and am having my spare bedroom painted F+B Brinjal but am having palpitations over whether to do ceiling, walls and paintwork all the same colour – its a small-ish (13×12) north facing room should I go for it?
Congrats welcome to the dark side! Scary as it sounds yes yes yes. In small rooms its even more important to paint the ceiling the same hue it will make the room appear larger than it really is. Same with paint work – painting ceilings and trim out in lighter hues basically breaks the room up. When you paint everything out the same hue whatever you put it looks a zillion times more expensive. Don’t worry about the north facing part just make sure you have quite a few lights (more than you would ordinarily have) and the odd burst of bright. Let me know how it works out. It will be fabulous of that I am sure
Thanks so much, I’m going for it, although the decorator looks like he’s going into shock! x
Ignore the decorator they will pull every little thing in the book to discourage, it will look fabulous
Dear Abi
– Last friday I was so lucky to discover your blog (I live in Florence Italy and just bought an apartment, so I was looking for new ideas) I spent most of the weekend reading almost all of your posts, I am so fascinating by your style!
I am your new fan
I have a big pile of design magazine and 90% of what I see there is just so boring.
Discovering your magnificent “dark” world is so exciting I am so blown away.
You are such an inspiration!
And I so agree with you regarding stuff !!! Lets live ,collect stuff and be happy !!!
Very kind words thank you – how lovely to live in Florence very envious indeed
There is however one BIG downside, since we went to the dark side we love our place so much it’s too awful to leave it. Even going to work becomes a wrench, and instead of going out, at the end of the day I just want to run home, turn on all the lights and potter around. Not to mention how many times we walk around our own home and say ‘I love our flat’ like a couple of lunatics. Very Happy Lunatics though.
I couldn’t agree more, even going on holiday is a wrench! Nuts hey and like you a very happy lunatics
I completely agree with everything you said in your post. I’m a uni student which means moving from place to place each year, and I am constantly mocked by my fellow housemates who are in disbelief about the effort I go to each time to make my room feel like home.
For me having my things around me, things that I love and encapsulate memories or nostalgia makes me feel happy. When Ive walked back home in the cold and the dark I love being able to walk into my room, shut the door and feel instantly relaxed and I think this is part of aligning my sense of purpose and personality with my surroundings. Don’t all animals feel uncomfortable outside there environment… ? I find it hard to understand people who don’t value or gain value from there aesthetic surroundings, or who don’t see the point and I suppose everyone is different, for some people it is more important than others, Im just glad I’m not alone!
I love your blog, I have just started my own and am aspiring to become an interior designer, hopefully to help other people feel ‘at one’ in their home.
All the best
Very impressed especially as you are moving around so much and ignore those fellow housemates. Very best wishes with you career, I was about to say luck but you don’t need luck to follow dreams you just need a little dose of self belief x
I have followed your blog for nearly 2 years. You make me laugh and fill me with confidence to go with my gut. I have had feature walls that are dark before AA (Abigail Ahern) times but now most my flat are tomes of grey, brown, teal. Before following you i was never quite comfy in a tidy flat now i know its because i wasnt displaying enough “stuff”. Thank you for being an inspiration. Happy christmas!
Happy Christmas too x
He he, I’m still giggling at the design police knocking at the door. I so agree. I have found that people who are out every night have houses with very little love in them. I on the other hand, want to be home every night because I love all my stuff! I’m very sad at the thought of that single little light bulb…
Couldn’t agree more