20 Dec 23

A fond farewell 2023: with mixed emotions

Wow what a year! But before I sign off it’s a moment to pause for breath.  This is the final blog post, coupled with the last episode of the Great Indoors podcast, 2023 is soon to be over and out.  Before I slip on my sheepskin slippers and pour myself a large glass, I thought I would take a minute reflect with you all on what this year has looked like for me, before we get a glimmer for what’s in store…

The highlights

In terms of the house this has been a HUGE year! I have finally got my dream kitchen. When we bought our house back in 2016 we had big plans to reorganise the interior but had assumed it would take the shape of a kitchen extension.  The huge hike in building materials, labour and then our mortgage was the final straw we were forced to shelve that plan. *Cue big sobs* With this crushing hard truth, I got creative and realised we didn’t necessarily need more space, just the right space. So, the affordable solution was to switch our lavishly large living room and pokey dark kitchen over with each other.  It’s finally made me fall in love with my house at last, and a big lesson, perhaps for all of us, is to reconsider how we can improve what we already have before we call the builders in. I’m so excited to share Christmas with our friends and family in the new space. It looks like with some last minute editions we are up to 12 so it will be testing the rooms capacity to the max!

I worked with Magnet on my Dream Kitchen and its a thing that dreams are made of!

What I’m most proud of

My career has reached new highs this year with the launch of my first ever product collaboration with the wonderful team over at Harlequin. This has been the absolute dream of a project and the launch has been a huge success, testament to how ready the world is to ditch the griege and embrace the joy of colour and pattern. After 25 years in the industry is actually collaborate on a collection and launch it in my name has been a huge honour and a priveledge and I learnt so much working alongside the talented team at the Harlequin studio. And lets just give myself a high five for the plastic conservatory transformation while we’re here!

The conservatory is now tented in glorious pattern. All fabrics available from my collection with Harlequin

What I’ve learned

It’s been a huge year of personal growth for me as I continue to grow my business and take most of the financial strain for our family during these turbulent times. I’m not going to lie, the anxiety has been the worst I’ve ever known, coupled with managing my fluctuating peri-menopausal symptoms! My Mum continues to struggle with long-covid, my son has changed schools and my husband had a  health scare that’s knocked him off his perch. What I’ve learned this year is I can do hard things, get through it with resilience and grow even stronger with the support of some incredible people and being utterly inspired by my fellow female entrepreneurs. Mid-life is absolutely not for beginners and it takes an army. And yet it is empowering to take control of your financial health and I am loving growing my business with all the possibilities that are opening up for me. However I’ve also learned that to deliver  I need to prioritise my health both physical and mental. So that’s top of the list going into 2024! Who’s with me?! I’m also wondering if this is something you’d like me to talk about more in 2024, alongside the usual interiors inspiration? One thing I will say is that if you have been struggling this year, you are not alone.

What’s on the horizon

My business looks like it’s set to go from strength to strength with more exciting collaborations in the pipeline for 2024 and beyond which will continue to champion my love of colourful interiors. I’ve recently recruited a new assistant to work alongside me. Natalie has a wealth of experience running online courses so I’m aiming to take the interior design school to the next level with her by my side. We have planned some great new content to add to the existing courses, all with the aim to help you take your interior design game to the next level, keep you inspired, creative and of course feeling confident to embrace colour!

What about you?

Well, I’ve got heaps of gorgeous content lined up for you! From more product lines to furnish your home with, more dedicated blog posts and podcasts to keep you inspired and informed, plus live webinars and workshops to keep us colour lovers feeling motivated and connected. Due to popular demand there are plans afoot to host another retreat to the amazing Marrakech later in the year, so as a subscriber, you will be the first to find out more!

I’ll be kicking off the year with my popular annual Vision Board masterclass on the 4th January to gently lift the fog and start looking head with optimism, intention and creativity. Then there is the big January course sale across the entire design school, my biggest discount of the year. Sale goes live on the 26^th December so keep your eyes peeled for that!

I’d love to know how you are feeling moving into 2024.

What are you most proud of?

What life lessons have your learned?

What can’t you wait to leave behind you and then step into?

Are you ready to create a new vision for yourself and your home?

The period between Christmas and New Year is a good time to gently reflect. But I resist dwelling too much. For now it’s time to wrap up work, wrap up presents then stop, cosy up, eat well and spend time with those you love. I’ll be binge watching cheesy Christmas movies, wearing comfy clothes (with not a scratchy sequin in sight) and thanking my lucky stars. Wishing you and yours a lovely, restful, gentle, and of course, colourful Christmas. X

Thanks for being part of this journey. And I’ll be back to invigorate and inspire you in the New Year!