Last post of the year from me, which sounds weird hey as I keep thinking the holidays are weeks away but nope they are just round the corner. Yesterday Christmas did actually come early as an advanced copy of my book arrived and it looks fabulous cannot wait for you guys to see. It’s published in Australia to tie in with my seminar at Decoration and Design early February in Sydney. Infact I will be book signing after the seminar if anyone fancies hanging around after and yabbering (more on that in the new year). Everywhere else its published end of March so we have to be a little more patient.
So I didn’t want to wind down without thanking you guys for reading my yabberings each and every day, for all your support, kind words, encouragement, questions. I get asked a lot why do I get up so early to write a blog, that doesn’t pay, that isn’t a commercial vehicle for the store (I hate pushing products) so what’s the point? The point is you guys, hearing that someone has converted across to the dark side and loves it, or added a few more quirky bits and adores it, or has just got a little bit more confident to create a home that they love that’s the reason. That’s why I do it, I am obsessed with interiors, you pretty much know that right? Its so addictive, its so life changing so when other people get the same buzz the same high, that heart pounding faster experience (you normally get when you meet the love of your life) but you can also get through dabbling around with your interior it gives me the biggest feeling of euphoria. So that’s why I do it.
Have a lovely Christmas, holiday season and New Year, I’m back in a week and a half.
Until then happy holidays
Thank you Abigail for your all your blogs, I really look forward to having my coffee in the morning listening to all the “yabberings” it’s like having a bunch of virtual friends that are in tune with each other! I have got bags more confidence thanks to you. I wish you a magical-lots-of-little-lights Christmas and an exciting New Year with loads of ideas to share!
Thank you happy holidays too
Wow, is that the cover of part II..? Can’t wait. Have been reading your blog almost from the start, still one of the first things I read AM. Anyway, wishing you happy holidays and hoping to visit one of your classes in 2013!!
That’s the cover taken from a detail in my house, happy holidays and hope to see you in 2013
I am gutted this is the last one for the year and I haven’t seen pics of your house decorated for Xmas.
. Have a fab break and thank you for all that you share. I ADORE this blog. X
Thank you xx
Congratulation for your new book! beautiful cover!
This morning I should get your first book I ordered from amazon, so happy to know you wrote another one!!!!
And thank you so much for writing this blog, Its just as you describe it. and The buzz and the high you transfer through it IS a senses stirring!
Lovely Christmas and holidays to you too
Thank you happy holidays back x
Hi Abigail – I have looked forward to reading your yabberings and posts every morning in your Blog during 2012!! Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and I know it will be a great 2013 for you. Just to let you know, I am dabbling with the ‘dark side’ in January. Am painting one wall in my high ceiling sitting room in Downpipe!!! Bit nervous, but you have inspired me to do it. Its the feature wall with fireplace and bookshelves. I already have the 2 Poodle lamps of course!!
Look forward to reading your Blog next year.
Lisa
Don’t be nervous you will love it, happy Christmas x
Well, Abigail, you’re thanking us but truly, THANK YOU. I read your blog off and on for the last couple years but it wasn’t until I stepped foot in your house that I truly understood. Yes, all those things you say, your heart beating faster, feeling all warm and squishy–they are so true, and it never occurred to me that a decor could do that. Actually, I once believed that deep down, an obsession with things and stuff was just a tad superficial and anal-retentive. Now I see that a home that excites you, warms you up, is truly transformative and yes, we have one life to live so it should be lived to the fullest. It is like falling in love and if there’s one thing we need today it’s more love. So, even while I was tripping over things in your house and squeezing past sculptures and flower branches (!) I totally GOT IT. Thanks to you.
xx
Happy Christmas Abby, and thanks so much for writing your blog – reading it makes a great start to the day! x
Thank you xx
İ just love the way you put your passion for interiors into wording! İ feel exactly the same w/u! Have a great Christmas! Tijen
Thanks for all the great blogs in 2012 and look forward to more in 2013! The book cover looks fab, can’t wait to get a copy. Have a lovely Christmas
Happy holidays too x
Congratulations on the book — it looks gorgeous (of course)! And Happy Holidays to you, your man and your little ones (M&M). Looking forward to more inky-smudgy-sludgy-darkside goodness from you in 2013.
Thank you x
Thank you so much for the blog. Opening it every morning is a treat and a joy. Happy Holiday to you and yours.
Very kind to say thank you
Thank you Abgail for your daily posts. It feels sometimes like you are reading my mind. Reading your blog has become a daily highlight for me and so exhilirating and life confirming to find someone with the same passion (obsession) and reassuring that I’m not the only one who gets a complete high from the perfect flower arrangement or vintage find.
Happy holidays, Merry Christmas and look forward to another year of all things life and interiors.
Zoe, Australia
Thank you happy holidays too x
Have a wonderful Christmas Abigail,Thankyou for all your inspiration this year,your blog is the highlight of my day,may the new year bring you many blessing as you have blessed others with all your creative ideas and wisdom you are a star
xx
Very kind words thank you
Thanks for the inspiration. Love the book cover. Spookily wrote a post 3 days ago on my own blog about why I try to add more blue, green and gold into a room. I just go on instinct when it comes to interior design (sadly haven’t studied it). Glad to see there’s some method in my madness. Today I wrote a post on Cheers, Careers and re-marital fears. I was repainting a vintage table Victorian Purple when your post on shaggy lamps causing ‘maritals’ got me thinking about an x’s recent remarriage. No in-laws for me this year!! Have a great Christmas and please please please don’t stop blogging. It’s literally what gets me jumping out of bed to do interiors stuff each morning.
Lovely words, have a lovely Christmas too x
As I skip around my, dark walled and foliage adorned, Christmas pad I must wish you a very merry Christmas. When I say skipping I really mean it. And I have you to thank for converting me to the dark side and giving my home a skip in its step!
Thanks, happy Christmas Sarah x
So happy you love the dark side Merry Christmas too x
Hi Abigail
I have one of your books in my stocking this Christmas and cannot wait to indulge in your world of decorating goodness. Thanks so much for sharing and I cannot wait for your next book. Congratulations !!! What a blessed way to end a busy year for you. Merry Christmas . Shell – A Darlings Nest xxx
Thank you Merry Christmas too x
Dear Abigail,
I stumbled across your blog 3 months ago by accident (via ‘The Selby’ – which I also stumbled across by accident via ‘Oh Comely‘ which I also stumbled across by accident via ‘I can’t remember which blog’. Oh Internet Serendipity, how I love you!
And here you are now – in my bookmarks, always one click away and as I ALSO receive your musing straight into my inbox – you have become one of my morning rituals, reading you on my phone on the bus on my way to work.
Very long introduction, I know, but what I am trying to say is that you have become a bit of an inspiration to me over this short space of time – which is timely as I just bought a flat in need of a revamp and I am looking to convert to your side – the ‘dark side’! Granted, I am slightly worried as I don’t have the huge windows that bring in the balance of light but I am going to give it a go anyhow. It’s decided, in 2013, my flat will benefit from the ‘Abigail Ahern touch’!
I can always change it back if I don’t like it right? It will just make me a little poorer which would mean less eating out which would mean better weight control – so positive all around!!! Having said all that I am just thinking I should just stop the eating out now (…)
My message is not very focused – apologies – it’s just my clumsy way to say thank you for all your inspiration, ideas, jokes and words of wisdom.
I am looking forward to more of that next year! As well as finally attending one of your classes.
Meanwhile have a fabulous Christmas and New Year!
Warm wishes,
Vanessa
PS: I lived in Angel for a year and walked past your shop a thousand times unaware of who you were and/so never went in. I rectified this error last week and was somehow disappointed not to find you there surrounded by your beautiful flowers and objects. But I am not far (Stoke Newington) so will be visiting again next year.
Very lovely message thank you and don’t worry about not having big windows when going dark, I have much smaller windows the higher up the house you go and the dark colours still look amazing. Happy holidays and new year
A very very merry Christmas to you and your brood! Do you know what I love most about you and your ‘ramblings’? For someone who is so highly regarded in the design world (and for very good reason – thank god for a rule-breaker) is that you are the most UNpretentious designer ever!! You don’t want to hide all your sources and knowledge and wisdom and you soooo freely give of that to each of your fans that comes here to read your words. And I will always be grateful for that. I intend to take one of your classes in the new year – god knows I’ve been so inspired by you: my bedroom is the deepest darkest nearly-black slate grey which I absolutely love; my dining room is a deep inky grey – both of which always get complimented on by visitors but more importantly, I love them completely; I’ve learned to layer with reckless abandon; I’ve introduced round shapes into square rooms – i can go on and on. Just keep on doing what you are doing. It’s completely refreshing in every single way.
Merry Christmas
xxx
Thank you your kind words have made my new year xx