The Rhythm Of Our Home

There is something so soothing about doing the mundane household tasks. Resetting the cushions and throws on a sofa, putting a load of laundry in or wiping counters and surfaces.

Yesterday, when I was having a bad day, these chores kept me busy and soothed. Seeing the immediate result of your action is such a high. Sometimes it takes weeks at work for your work to show the difference it made but wiping a dirty counter gives you an immediate satisfaction as it becomes instantly clean.

I love going about the still house (well, still except for my little dog following me up and down the stairs) with the gentle whirring of the washing machine and dryer in the background. Home when I am alone is where I feel most safe. I do not have to cater to anyone's needs and feelings but myself and my fur-babies.

Turning the lights on, as it starts getting dark outside, is a gentle way of telling myself that work is winding up and it is time to start getting ready for bed. I do not turn the "big lights" on in my house. Instead I prefer table and floor lamps. I want to have soft lighting that I can feel cosseted in.

In the cooler months (it will never be cold here), I prefer to light a candle. I want the scent around me but sometimes, even an unscented candle is quite lovely. I like to watch the flickering flame as it fills the area with soft light. Sometimes, I enjoy a lit candle even when I am in the backyard at night. Of course, these are the unscented ones I get from IKEA but they are perfect for setting the mood.

One of the best things about being home is using up all the lovely things I had decided to buy for the home. I actually enjoy using the nice things. Nothing is "too good" to not be used on a daily basis. The nice candles, the good cups, the fancy hand soap etc. My favourite way to close the day is with a cup of tea in a very fancy, dainty teacup and a sweet pair of pyjamas after my evening shower routine.

Bedroom of Mary Orton, an Instagram fashion influencer.

For years, I wanted clean white walls, cream furniture and no patterns whatsoever. I have since grown to like colour, texture and patterns. I want to have stripes, flowers, and toile all around me. Obviously that will take time as I cannot just throw the things I already have and love but when I do buy anything new from now, I will only get interesting patterns in lovely colours. Deep green is my preferred colour to decorate with but I think a deep red and a deep blue are equally good.

When I come home, I am assured that the things that it contains, the way they are placed, the people allowed to come inside are exactly to my liking and that this is the one place in the world that makes sense to me and has order in the way I prefer it. The one place in the world that is completely mine.