DIY SOS never fails to move me, and it's a reminder of how much a home can change the way we live. In this month's journal, I reflect on what happens when a home is designed around the people in it, and why the pieces you already love matter so much.

There's a moment I love, right at the end of a project, when a client walks into their finished room for the first time. They look around. And then, almost without realising it, they stand taller. It happens every time. And it tells me everything I need to know about whether we've done it right. A home that works — really works — doesn't just look beautiful. It changes how you feel inside it. It makes daily life quieter, smoother, less effortful. You stop noticing it, in th

The spaces we live in have such a significant effect on how we feel day to day because we’re quite literally surrounded by them. Our homes are the backdrop to our everyday lives—they’re where we start and end each day, where we rest, recharge, and spend time with the people who matter most.

There’s often a quiet shift that happens in our homes. It’s not always obvious at first—but slowly, things start to feel a little off. The house hasn’t been properly updated in a while. Piles of things build up, not because you don’t care, but because you haven’t had the time or headspace to decide where anything should go. Over time, that feeling grows.

Our homes are meant to be a place of calm and sanctuary that put us at ease so we can flourish. That is how I feel every home should work for its occupants. Since the pandemic we have all spent more time at home than ever before. Many people now work from home at least part of the week. Our homes have had to change their roles to become a more multifunctional place since the recent advancements in technology so we are able to work remotely.

North-facing rooms often feel cooler and darker due to limited direct sunlight, The key to making these rooms feel warmer and more invitin