If you have a compact room, then you may feel as though there is a limit when it comes to creating your dream scheme. This is not the case at all, and if you take your time then there is absolutely no reason why you can’t make the most out of your space.
Covent Garden, London is one of the most popular places in London to visit. With so much to see and do, there may be some gems there that you could miss. Look for a covent garden hotel to stay in as with so much to see and do you will definitely want to make a weekend of it. I was tasked* with showing you some of the hidden gems of Covent Garden that you may not have heard of or even knew were nearby, so here are some of those said hidden gems.
Relaxation is a crucial component to any home and if you have a space that's overrun with mess and clutter, you might very well retreat into your garden to escape the sheer magnitude of it all. But when you're in the home, you deserve a space to relax, even if it's a small one. And it's not just about picking one room, it's about making the whole place feel more relaxing. How can we create a space that helps us to relax, but also turns our home into a more calming environment?
Tracy Chevalier has been a favourite author of mine since I read and fell in love with Girl with the Pearl earring. I have read nearly all of her books from The Virgin Blue, Burning Bright to Remarkable Creatures. Each time I have been sucked into her characters and storytelling and A Single Thread was no different.
Tracy Chevalier picks moments in history and manages to paint a true to life light on them. A Single Thread is set post in the interwar years where social change is happening. Violet is still suffering from the aftermath of losing her fiance in the war and is considered one of the 'surplus' women at the time. She is both pitied and looked at with disdain. I found myself at once feeling deeply sorry for Violet and admiring her in equal measure. Despite the loss of her fiance, she is determined to make it on her own and to get aware from her stifling Mother, she moves to the beautiful city of Winchester with its magnificent cathedral. It's here that she stumbles across the broderers and she is instantly enraptured by the work that they do for the cathedral, especially their beautiful embroidered kneelers. And this is where she joins this group of women.
Tracy's stories are always so clearly well researched and every time I read one of her books, I feel like I learn something new. As with all the female protagonists, I feel like I become their friend whilst reading and I always look forward to getting back to their story when I get my time to read.
As mentioned earlier, Violet is a character I came to greatly admire. Despite the constraints of her time and her sex, she is determined to make her life go the way she wants it too and does not care for the thoughts of others.
Another exquisite read from Tracy Chevalier and one I will be adding to my list of favourites.
A Single Thread is out now
Part of the A Single Thread Blog Tour
Still hoping to get your garden sorted this summer? Sadly that glorious weather is starting to come to an end, which means autumn will soon be here. But if you missed out on giving your garden a summer makeover, the good news is that there’s always next year. With time on your side, you can now look to planning your outdoor transformation ready for next summer, and give you something to look forward to in the New Year.
Here are some tips for planning your dream garden for next summer.
