Interiors, textiles and the homes behind them. Practical ideas for turning any space, from a city studio to a country retreat, into somewhere you want to stay.
Browse the JournalChoosing an interior design style is not about copying a picture-perfect room. It is about creating a home that fits how you live, what you already own, and the atmosphere you want to come home to every day. The best style feels intentional, practical, and easy to maintain — not forced.
Why your design style […]
A Victorian house does not have to feel dark, fussy, or museum-like. When color, layout, and materials are handled with restraint, the result can be a home that keeps its period character while feeling easy to live in every day.
This home tour focuses on how a colorful Victorian house can be updated for […]
Renting doesn’t mean surrendering to a blank, forgettable box. But the line between a space that feels like yours and a deposit deduction is thinner than most people think. The safest approach is to treat every change as something you may need to undo: make reversible choices your default, document the original condition obsessively, and […]
A room can have perfect proportions and still feel cold. Linen curtains that soften the afternoon light, a wool throw over the arm of a chair, a rug that anchors the seating: fabrics add warmth without adding clutter.
We look at how they are made, how they age, and how to layer them so a room feels finished rather than filled.
A listing shows square footage. A visit shows how a home actually lives: where the morning light falls, which walls could come down, which rooms will stay dark in winter.
We walk through homes with their owners and designers to show what to notice on a viewing, and how a plan can change once the keys are yours.
Start by clearing the floor rather than the walls. Furniture on legs, one larger rug instead of several small ones, and a single light colour across walls and ceiling make a room read as one continuous space. Then keep one surface completely empty. It sounds minor, but the eye needs somewhere to rest.
Linen and linen blends diffuse light beautifully and age gracefully, though strong sun will fade deep colours over time. A cotton lining protects the face fabric and helps the curtains hang well. Silk looks lovely but breaks down quickly in direct light, so save it for rooms facing away from the sun.
Pick one anchor line. For a single piece, the centre usually sits around eye level; for a group, align either the top edges, the bottom edges or a shared centre line. Lay the arrangement out on the floor first, and keep the gaps between frames equal. Consistent spacing does more for a gallery wall than matching frames.
Look at what can't easily be changed: orientation and light, ceiling height, the position of load-bearing walls, windows and plumbing. Paint, floors and kitchens can be replaced. Visit at different times of day if you can, and notice how the rooms connect when you walk through them.
They share a love of natural materials and uncluttered rooms, but the mood differs. Scandinavian interiors lean towards cosiness, pale wood and layered textiles for long winters. Japanese minimalism puts more weight on empty space, low furniture and the beauty of imperfect, handmade things. Many homes borrow from both.
