Substack reads sent me a link to this in my ‘weekly stack’ and it did, indeed, interest me!
I found it so interesting to read your perspective on this and the pressure you feel about how your home should look. I don’t think you’re alone in feeling this way at all.
Long story short, I quit my job and retrained as an interior designer earlier this year. I’m in the fairly early days of my business and based in SW London. I wonder if I can help? And whether we could write about the process? My fees are much, much less than Rachel Chudley!
If any of this is of interest, have a look at my website: www.hannahashe.co.uk where there are lots of photos of my work and contact details.
I used to feel this way! And still do, but not to the same extent. Making moodboards in Pinterest helped me see parterns for what my taste is, what I like. And then you just go slowly and build the layers. I always feel like this when ut comes to clothes and fashion. Yesterday I mer my very stylist friend, everything looks expensive on here even if she got it from Zara. Mesnwhile I’m literally in jeans and a knit.
Sometimes I do want to critique this ideal of ”regular” people having magazine worthy homes. I don’t know, was that what the previous generation of feminists fought for, for us to be obsessed with and pour so much of our energy into domestic life? (Even though I am obsessed and like to care about the domestic life)
Haha! My thoughts exactly. Years ago, my mum decorated the hallway of our Edwardian semi, with regency striped wallpaper. But she was the daughter of a miner. Joyce, next door got it right, with her AGA - but Joyce's father was a dentist. I'm like you. In my 50s now, I've been through so many attempts, I've decided I can't do it/ won't do it. Ikea, is good enough, and good enough is good enough. Same with fashion. I take my cue from Katherine Hepburn - pants, shirt/turtleneck: repeat, repeat, repeat.
This really resonated with me, someone who loves to peruse design IG and fancies herself aesthetically-minded, yet always seems to wind up with three too many hot pink pillows and an uncomfortable MidMod couch. (DOES ANYBODY MAKE A COMFY MIDCENTURY SOFA???)
Your article just hit me so hard. I am currently in the process of working abroad, and I'm already worried about how we can buy all the furniture on a budget while also styling our home.
Wow, I feel this way. It is so hard! I want something simple but I feel I have zero style! Also having a kid really destroys your brain haha, mine is 3 and I still can’t find time to do anything!
Oh my word..you captured exactly what I have been feeling for years. I have moved countries twice and houses 4 times in 7 years and it’s been a challenge starting over sometimes and decorating as our kids have increased.
For me I struggle to commit to a particular style whilst having a deep desire to buy less and live in a simple sustainable manner.
I feel seen. You’ve vocalised my thoughts on interiors. We bought our house in February 2023 & we also still have the hideous (bright blue!) hall carpet in place that we inherited. I think I’m stuck out of fear. It’s a lot of cost & physical effort to put my limited ideas into reality & I don’t want to waste either of these resources. Instead I’m embracing ‘living in our new space’ if anyone asks what work we’ll be doing to the house.
I also need photos of your garden so that I can steal your ideas for mine.
So glad I’ve discovered your Substack, thanks lovely x
🙋🏼♀️ Me. This is me all over. The idea of renos makes me want to curl up in a ball. I have lots of ideas but I have no idea what to do with them. So I'm stumped.
I really blame the Internet though. It's one thing to admire design in a magazine. I mean, they're in a Magazine. People on the internet feel more like peers so when it seems like everyone is suddenly experts in design I think it's way more intimidating.
I also have to blame myself. I haven't invested the time in learning more about design or how to layer a room with things in an attractive way. So I guess I'll just keep staring at my boring walls in my north-facing living room until I can finally pick the right paint color. Sigh.
Substack reads sent me a link to this in my ‘weekly stack’ and it did, indeed, interest me!
I found it so interesting to read your perspective on this and the pressure you feel about how your home should look. I don’t think you’re alone in feeling this way at all.
Long story short, I quit my job and retrained as an interior designer earlier this year. I’m in the fairly early days of my business and based in SW London. I wonder if I can help? And whether we could write about the process? My fees are much, much less than Rachel Chudley!
If any of this is of interest, have a look at my website: www.hannahashe.co.uk where there are lots of photos of my work and contact details.
Hannah x
I used to feel this way! And still do, but not to the same extent. Making moodboards in Pinterest helped me see parterns for what my taste is, what I like. And then you just go slowly and build the layers. I always feel like this when ut comes to clothes and fashion. Yesterday I mer my very stylist friend, everything looks expensive on here even if she got it from Zara. Mesnwhile I’m literally in jeans and a knit.
Sometimes I do want to critique this ideal of ”regular” people having magazine worthy homes. I don’t know, was that what the previous generation of feminists fought for, for us to be obsessed with and pour so much of our energy into domestic life? (Even though I am obsessed and like to care about the domestic life)
Haha! My thoughts exactly. Years ago, my mum decorated the hallway of our Edwardian semi, with regency striped wallpaper. But she was the daughter of a miner. Joyce, next door got it right, with her AGA - but Joyce's father was a dentist. I'm like you. In my 50s now, I've been through so many attempts, I've decided I can't do it/ won't do it. Ikea, is good enough, and good enough is good enough. Same with fashion. I take my cue from Katherine Hepburn - pants, shirt/turtleneck: repeat, repeat, repeat.
This really resonated with me, someone who loves to peruse design IG and fancies herself aesthetically-minded, yet always seems to wind up with three too many hot pink pillows and an uncomfortable MidMod couch. (DOES ANYBODY MAKE A COMFY MIDCENTURY SOFA???)
yes ! this !
Your article just hit me so hard. I am currently in the process of working abroad, and I'm already worried about how we can buy all the furniture on a budget while also styling our home.
Good luck, you got this!
Wow, I feel this way. It is so hard! I want something simple but I feel I have zero style! Also having a kid really destroys your brain haha, mine is 3 and I still can’t find time to do anything!
Ha I feel you. Stylish and kid friendly is also v tricky!
Did you ever play the sims growing up? I have a theory that that's basically interiors training from an early age.
No! OK this is where my design life went wrong…
Oh my word..you captured exactly what I have been feeling for years. I have moved countries twice and houses 4 times in 7 years and it’s been a challenge starting over sometimes and decorating as our kids have increased.
For me I struggle to commit to a particular style whilst having a deep desire to buy less and live in a simple sustainable manner.
That is a lot of moving! I definitely would not have the energy to decorate after that! Also hard agree on being an interiors commitment phobe.
“I fit into spaces which already exist” - oh i absolutely love this.think it sums up my whole life!
Feel the exact way about gardening - all my friends seem to have this weird innate gene that has completely passed me by.
I feel seen. You’ve vocalised my thoughts on interiors. We bought our house in February 2023 & we also still have the hideous (bright blue!) hall carpet in place that we inherited. I think I’m stuck out of fear. It’s a lot of cost & physical effort to put my limited ideas into reality & I don’t want to waste either of these resources. Instead I’m embracing ‘living in our new space’ if anyone asks what work we’ll be doing to the house.
I also need photos of your garden so that I can steal your ideas for mine.
So glad I’ve discovered your Substack, thanks lovely x
I wrote this in December and nothing has changed! Hideous hall carpet still there. Oh, if only it were easier! x
🙋🏼♀️ Me. This is me all over. The idea of renos makes me want to curl up in a ball. I have lots of ideas but I have no idea what to do with them. So I'm stumped.
I really blame the Internet though. It's one thing to admire design in a magazine. I mean, they're in a Magazine. People on the internet feel more like peers so when it seems like everyone is suddenly experts in design I think it's way more intimidating.
I also have to blame myself. I haven't invested the time in learning more about design or how to layer a room with things in an attractive way. So I guess I'll just keep staring at my boring walls in my north-facing living room until I can finally pick the right paint color. Sigh.
Sorry for the weird autocorrect typos, english is not my first language.