September is the new New Year
I’ve always thought that January is a pants time to start new projects, and set new intentions. Feeling sluggish and blue post Christmas, I always struggle to summon up too much optimism while the winter feels its dragging on as I’m holding out for Spring. For me winter is a time for bone broths and box sets and hiding under baggy jumpers and well… giving yourself a break.
But September, now that’s a time I can get excited about and I’m feeling the ‘back to school’ ripples of excitement already. Since taking the summer off work (which has been a revelation!) I’m positively itching to get back to my desk. I’ve got a stack of projects booked in for September and October and I can’t wait to meet them head on with gusto. I can already feel the season changing and after a relaxed summer of kicking back and hanging out, the onset of autumn feels like the real new beginning.
Summer isn’t a time for focus or concentration. Drummed into us at an early age by the school calendar, summer is a time for running through sprinklers in nothing but your underpants. It’s a time to kick back with the kids. Trying to take a time sensitive business call while battling off a five year old that wants you to rescue the sticky dribble being expended by his ice lolly makes me want to strip off into my knickers and sit in a paddling pool.
But September is all about new pencil cases, shiny new shoes and sitting at a nicely organised desk in order to answer the emails of the day. In peace. Alone. Bliss! We’ve now been in the ‘Dream house’ a staggering 6 months. And I’ve done nothing to the interior, as its all been about tackling the garden and putting in plans for the annex. But recently I’ve found myself scratching that design itch. These magnolia walls are in big threat of getting some colour smashed on them any time soon. I’ve also got to get on with unpacking the last of the boxes. My dressing room is a fright and I’m going to ruthlessly go through the lot and have a huge wardrobe cull. I’m going to chuck loads of my TV dresses on EBay so I’ll keep you posted about that so you can grab yourself a ‘Nearly New’ bargain. I’d even consider giving the Marie Condo gig a go (Her book called ‘The life changing magic of Tidying Up” is a global best seller). And that’s a bold statement from someone who is a natural hoarder gatherer but the New Beginnings bug has taken its hold and I feel the need for beautifully curated storage solutions!
And around us there’s lots of newness being touted. September is the month to get inspired about everything new and shiny in interior design. I’m heading up to London this week to see the unveiling of the new Dulux trends and their 2017 colour of the year. This is always one of my most favourite dates in the diary, I squeal with excitement at the mouthwatering colour palettes they put togther to inspire the industry. There’s Top Drawer and London Design Festival to look forward to as well as Decorex, Tent London, and 100% Design later in the month. And after the summer break I think my heads ready to absorb all these fresh new ideas and inspiration. The kids go back to school and it’s time to sharpen my pencils!
If you’ve got those back to school vibes then sign up and join Daniel Hopwood and I for a days masterclass in Interior design. We might be all judgy and scary on The Great Interior Design Challenge but in real life we’re more like a couple of excited puppies when it comes to sharing our favourite subject. We’ve got a few spaces here, bring a friend, have a nice lunch and a social and come out with an overload on design inspiration. You can sign yourself up here
I’ll be sharing lots of my new design inspiration over on Pinterest, so check it out here and if you want to keep up to date on all my new projects make sure you subscribe to my news letter below.
(Image credit: Feautured image from Dulux Colour futures 2016)
