Embracing Autumn and Interior challenges: Cosy Home Design and Exciting New Ventures
Hello, my lovely design community - it’s been a while!
Well, the noticeable chill in the air and the changing colours on the trees is letting us all know that October is here once again.
Indeed, the summer holidays are beginning to feel like a long time ago, and the familiar autumn routine - of frantically getting kids ready for school, rummaging through a pile of scarves, hats and coats, then heading out on increasingly nippy and dimly-lit mornings - brings yet more reminders that winter is creeping ever closer.
Although summer didn't peak, I do find autumn uplifting. There's a charm in cosy indoor moments with autumn interior decor. The vibrant leaves bring warmth and comfort, often accompanied by a steaming cup of mulled cider or pumpkin latte, even if I did splurge £4.65 on one yesterday—perhaps it's time to be a bit more mindful of this indulgence!
The soft glow of candles creates a serene atmosphere for reflection and connection, while the scents of cinnamon and nutmeg evoke cherished memories. Curling up with a good book or watching the rain outside, wrapped in a blanket, enhances the season's magic.
Autumn fosters community through harvest festivals, Halloween, and Pumpkin picking, allowing us to connect with dear ones and create memories. Decorating with pumpkins and colourful leaves becomes a joyful ritual, celebrating life's simple pleasures. Ultimately, autumn transforms into a rich and fulfilling season, despite summer's unfulfilled potential., while also making plans for the final quarter of the year… and it’s fair to say I’ve been quite busy. Without further ado, let’s take a peek into what’s been going on and what’s worth putting into your diaries for the months to come.
New course alert!
First off, I’m delighted to say that following a decent break, I’m back at my beloved Folk House to kick off my Winter Interior Design Course.
As you know, I absolutely relish the opportunity to share my knowledge and insights into all things interior design, and nothing gets the creative juices going like sharing ideas, stories and skills with like-minded people!
I love the genuine buzz of this course; the attendees have always been fantastic, and never fail to get as excited as I do about their forthcoming projects. If you’re keen to dive into the world of design - even if you’re an absolute beginner to the subject - I’d highly recommend checking out this six-week course.
It’s always wonderful to hear how it inspires action plans for all kinds of home projects, and you’re sure to make new friends while exploring a wide range of design subjects and techniques.
Additionally, there will be a follow-up course for those who have attended my previous Interior Design course or my Two-day intensive workshop, keep a look out on the Folk House website.
Brand new service offering
Much of this summer was spent piecing together a comprehensive services section to my website, and I’m thrilled with how it’s turned out.
Not only does this new suite of web pages lay out my full list of services as a designer, it’s allowed me to clearly define how I’m able to assist my clients. From ‘Discovery calls’ to ‘Colour consultations', my ‘Designer by your side’ service and full-steam-ahead ‘Project management’, I’m really excited to officially launch this side of what I do, and take my offerings further than ever before.
Home updates (trigger warning - damp has been found!)
Yes, it’s true. My home redesign and transformation has been a bit of a slog in recent months, and progress has at times been frustratingly slow.
We faced challenges with our initial window supplier, Window Outlet, who went into liquidation back in June, causing project delays and a loss of £3.5k! This experience taught us the importance of having a credit card to safeguard against such setbacks. Fortunately, Countryside Windows stepped in and provided us with excellent new windows and sliding doors. While this came at a further expense, it has motivated us to dive into DIY for the remainder of the project.
We're not just doing minor touch-ups; it's been a full-scale effort involving removing old flooring, installing new joists to prevent sagging, leveling the space, and tackling the flooring throughout the back of the house and kitchen. The family bathroom has posed its own challenges, as it's hard to relax in a bath with a steel joist protruding from the ceiling and the washing machine outlet awkwardly positioned over the tub.
As if that wasn’t enough, I’ve recently found out that there will be a brand new hike in our mortgage in December (right in time for Christmas, how sweet!) - is anyone looking for a room to rent? Serious request!
Despite a few headaches along the way, I’m optimistic for the rest of the year and I hope you’re all doing well and making the most of the undeniable beauty of the season.
Speak to you soon,
Hannah x
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