‘Why are you still wearing your pyjamas?’ My eldest daughter asked me with a cheeky grin as we walked towards school. I looked down at my clothes in horror as I really had no idea whether I was or wasn’t. I noticed I was wearing something which could potentially pass as pyjama attire. My daughter’s comment made me realize that over the past months the fine line between night wear and comfy home wear had started to become very fuzzy if not unclear. It had become easy to grab whatever was nearest in an attempt to make the morning routine work without me having to get up even earlier. I think amongst my fellow school mums it is understood that I am never the glamorous one, I make a semi effort and always think that my jacket will cover up whatever beautiful (or not so as is the case) frock is under there. I do try to slap on some mascara but that’s as far as it goes. The odd thing is that when I used to go in to work I had even less time but seemed to look smarter than I do now. Don’t get me wrong I still like to dress up, put on the heels, fancy dress and spend more than 30 seconds on my make up – but only if there’s an occasion. Not for school that is…
I know my kids aren’t mentally scarred from this – in fact – they have got a perfectly relaxed ‘this is how we roll’ attitude about certain things in life. In the weekend – when we all try to relax and are rather lazy: I have no problem in running to the shop around the corner in my pyjamas (my real ones!) to pick up some milk and bread. The kids laugh and think it’s funny.
Having said that I did take note of what my daughter said, and I could also hear my mother say “it is important to make an effort”. I realized it is easy, probably too easy, to forget about making a little effort. About looking like you care. I don’t think that my nature will totally change but it became clear that I needed to step up a bit. Don’t ever get so comfortable with something or someone that you forget to make even the tiniest of effort… The clothes example is superficial and not that important but demonstrates the need to ensure it doesn’t become the metaphor for the more important things in life…..
So with ‘glamming up’ myself – every now and then – comes glamming up my interior.
If I had a total free pass to glam up and spice up my interior I would go for these 3 things and:
- Finally get that vintage Geoffrey Harcourt F588 chair and re-upholster it in emerald green or else get the F976 in brown leather
- Buy a vintage brass 50’s coffee table – Gio Ponti style would be nice.
- I would either get wood paneling on the full length of the living room and paint it moody grey-ish green or else I would have wall to wall custom made bookshelves – equally dark and slushy coloured.
So my design dreams in a nutshell:
My Geoffrey Harcourt dream!
Gio Ponti silver trays 1956 – great stylish room – on Dimorestudio table.
Beautiful vintage brass table – Jack Astier.
Wood panelling DIY made perfect!
Now for the more realistic short term achievables! My autumn musthaves – before we go into overdrive and start spending on Christmas:
Here are a couple of my favourite things to up your autumn coziness game! Autumn speaks to me cozy and comfy and that can only mean lights and texture; so here are 3 items a lot more affordable than my choices above yet so effective and gorgeous!
- Lights – Here’s one of my all time favourite design lights:
Louis Poulsen – Flinders
So I’ve always wanted a Louis Poulsen lamp – beautiful design and timeless. Now also a mini version available so a lot easier on the wallet!
2. Texture – A comfy plaid – such a game changer and how fun is this one with the pompoms. I wonder whether I could get it in pink – my new autumn colour – I’ve just decided!
3. A mix of the 2 above: texture and lighting – Cottonball lights! Lovely lights made from soft texture and with the warmest of light. Available in different colours and styles and you can even design your own string of lights. And if you weren’t convinced yet Cottonball lights has been certified by the World Fair Trade Organization! Now there’s no excuse why you shouldn’t treat yourself or a loved one to these beauties:
A little effort goes a long way!