Hello & let's catch up
Returning from a little hiatus
First of all, hello. It’s been a hot minute since I’ve hit publish on a post for The Home I Made. Hi to new subscribers who have joined since I went AWOL, I really appreciate the support for this teeny little newsletter. I hope you’ve enjoyed what’s here already, and will stick around for what’s to come.
I’m freshly back from maternity leave, which ended up being a break from Substack as well as my *real* job. A writing hiatus you might say. Just as well really since my brain space was largely taken up by thoughts of sleep (lack thereof), nappies, weaning and looking after little people. Mainly thoughts of how I can get more sleep tbh.
Emma Barnett calls it Maternity Service which I think is more apt. I also like the latest term Power Pause, from The Power Pause, a book I’ve just added to my to-listen-to list on Spotify. I’d *read* it, but I fear I might be still trying to in another year. At this point, my habitual optimistic loaning and returning unread books from and to the library is the hobby. So the audiobook it is.
Anyway, back to Substack. I’m putting my writing hat back on and looking forward to sharing what I’ve been up to, house projects I am planning, inspiration I’m finding and ideas on how you could tweak your home too should you so wish.
As ever, what with two kids in tow, progress on my house is slow (I’m tempted to say leisurely, as ‘slow’ feels like a negative even though it shouldn’t). But if you’ve read my previous posts, you’ll know that I don’t think this is a bad thing. Good things take time after all, not least figuring out how your home should work best for your ever-evolving needs and tastes. Real life isn’t a snappy Reel transition, despite what social media might lead us to believe.
So while I get to work on my upcoming dispatches (I do have some lovely home updates to fill you in on), let’s catch up with what’s been thus far. I really look forward to sharing The Home I Made with you again. It’s great to be back. Don’t forget to leave me a comment to say hi, especially if you’re new around here (or indeed if you’re not!).
The Home I Made – what you might have missed
Interior design tricks I learned from working in homes magazines
Want your home to look like those you see in a magazine? Spoiler alert: yes, you can probably get your rooms looking like the ones you see on those lovely glossy pages, but I reckon it’s near impossible to keep them looking that way. Soz.
Slow renovations: hey it's ok to take your time
Confession: I often look around my house and ask woefully ‘why isn’t this done yet?’ and wonder ‘if only this was different’. The plans of what I’d love to change are in my head, always evolving, and my patience is constantly being tested.
What's your house like? I'll tell if you will (with voiceover)
‘What’s your house like?’ – it’s a question I have asked many a proud homeowner, and I cannot tell you how many times I have been asked it too.
Really easy ways to style your home
I’m trying to get things ticked off my list – and, as you may have gathered, I love a list. This time of year calls for multiple. Probably like many of you, there’s the business of tying up loose ends for work to deal with before the big OOO switch on, gift shopping, food shopping, card sending (not to mention a mere FIVE birthdays in the midst!), all o…
AI and interiors: generic homes or a way to be more creative?
Something a little different this week. I’ll get back to ‘usual’ house-y stuff, with a few new additions, soon.
Decorating mistakes I’ve made (and will now admit to)
Admitting when you’re wrong…I’ve been trying to come up with a comparison to sum up how that feels. Perhaps a bit like a trip to the dentist – you know you should but it’s not the most pleasant, you don’t look forward to it, but once you’ve been you usually do feel better that it’s over and done.
