If you had told me I'd move house more than 40 times - 50, if we're counting the minor escapades - I'd have laughed and...told you you were spot on! In the whirlwind of the past five years alone, I've changed addresses over 10 times.
Last year was the first time I bought wardrobes. I’m 38, why only now? Because it’s easier to move without them - they are too bulky - and I tend to think I’ll be on the move again soon. I’ve also only owned a sofa for a few short years and decided the pain of moving with it was not offset by the daily comfort said sofa was supposed to provide. So, for over a decade now, I chose not to have one. Half a year ago, when I sold my London flat, I put the wardrobes in storage and got rid of the mattress. I have been sleeping on tatami mats since. I’m ready for another move.
I always liked the idea of being perpetually on the move, a romantic notion of freedom and endless new beginnings. And there definitely was love in the chaos, but as I find myself staying longer than intended in my current rental, thanks to twice failed house purchases, I'm beginning to wonder.
While I navigate the pages of property listings and auction houses’ websites, I thought, why not share the beauty I find with you? This newsletter will be a weekly curation of some inspiring places as well as objects that I would buy if I had a storage the size of a warehouse. Think of it as an ongoing collection of objects, spaces and places. As our lives are so heavily influenced by the digital milieu, there is a growing need for simplicity, meaning and tangible experiences. Some of you might even find their next home on these pages or an object that you’ll just need in your life (I’ll be sharing live online listings).
So, as we embark on this search for a fantasy home together and objects to bring textures and more stories into your home, I hope to share some joy and beauty in your inbox. And I'm all ears (or eyes, really) if you fancy sharing your own tales of moves gone by, the pieces of your home that you hold dear, or simply what catches your eye in the world of interiors.
Let's make this a beautiful and welcoming corner of the internet, a place to gather and share spaces, objects and other finds. I hope to hear from you in the comments!
Ax
THE HOUSE
I’m so surprised this timber-framed gem is still on the market. I love everything about it. The terracotta-washed render on one side and that magnificent brickwork on the other. And the grounds! All 4.3 acres of it, waiting to be transformed into a gloriously untamed meadow, or perhaps something with the gentle touch of Piet Oudolf’s soft landscaping. His gardens have this magical way of keeping colour and texture, even in the depths of winter - just what’s needed to complement the house.
On the practical side, it ticks all the boxes: a driveway, a double garage, and yes, a storeroom. Since moving to the countryside, I am as excited about storerooms as every Londoner is about a garden! My current storeroom, housing an extra fridge and a freezer (purely for the dog food), unexpectedly became one of my favourite things about having more space. I find practicalities like this beautiful.
Inside, I’m in love with all the wood everywhere! The exposed timber framing all around and I’d probably offer to buy some of the pieces of antique furniture from the current owners (their selection of wooden chairs is lovely!). Have you noticed how shutters in the drawing room are used to display family photos? Simple and charming.
The layout is wonderfully straightforward. All bedrooms are south-facing, how lovely! Imagine waking up to the glimmer of sun rays and shadows across your room. It’s these little, daily light shows that make a space truly special.
I genuinely don’t think this house is a project. I love the colour schemes (notice the wall behind the wood burner and the ceiling in the drawing room). Sure, the bathrooms will need some clever updating, and the kitchen needs an overhaul, but imagine the beauty of simply replacing it with antique freestanding furniture - my go-to when I take on a project.
And the setting? So idyllic. Nestled between green fields, with a church for a neighbour. The house I’m currently trying to buy also overlooks a church - one of its many charms and a definite selling point for me (the owner told me that he loved watching weddings from the bedroom window; these moments filled him with joy, and I’m planning to do the same). And oh, the church bells - I hope they chime here too. I can’t think of anything more beautiful than church bells ringing; they immediately make me think of hot summers in France or Italy, and who wouldn’t want to be regularly transported to places that make you feel wonder and joy as soon as you’re there.