I have been planning writing this blog in my mind for so long I can’t believe I am actually here!  My name is Annette and  I am passionate about visual imagery and interiors; particularly how our living spaces can make us feel; the psychology that our surrounding spaces have on us – whether they make us feel energised or conversely relaxed and calm. Maybe if we have a lot of outstanding DIY to undertake our homes can make us feel stressed and despondent.

So I have decided to start a blog all about this subject, fuelled on by my recent graduation and diploma from the on-line course with the interior design institute.  I am now looking forward to pulling together cohesive schemes for my interiors. My areas of particular interest are organising schemes that give flow and harmony to rooms whether that be from the colours used – through to fabrics, furnishings and accessories. I have just commenced the interior design institute’s advanced module in home styling which will further enhance my understanding of how to pull schemes together which is particularly useful for when you may wish to sell your home.

Along with my love of interiors the other main passion in my life is exercise and fitness.  I believe that exercise is as good for a person’s mental wellbeing as for their physical state.   I honestly can’t remember ever coming back from a training session wishing that I had stayed under the covers or settled down on the sofa.  As soon as the blood starts pumping and the adrenaline kicks in I just get a buzz.  I indulge in the gym, aerobics, body balance (mix of yoga, pilates and tai chi), swimming and running and I am the first to admit that I am not the fastest or most supple, but I enjoy what I do and I think that is what counts – when the music on my ipod gets me through a mega session on the cross-trainer and in my mind I am in the middle of a club with disco balls shining!  So I will have a category for fitness; what I am up to and any events going on.

As you can see from above music plays a big part in my life.  From around the age of 10 I have listened to the radio and don’t feel right if I don’t have a soundtrack playing in the background.  Of course there were some great songs and artists when we were growing up in the 60s, 70s and 80s but on this blog I would like mainly to concentrate on some of the great current artists shining through which I think are worth sharing.

Another of my categories for the blog will be everything fashion and style – I do love to shop!  Although like most of us I do have to reign it in  but there is no harm in dreaming about that £600 Mulberry handbag!

Along the way I am sure I have had many fashion disasters, but like to think that now, at shall we say a more mature age, I have managed to find ‘my style’, although it has to be said I am still partial to a touch of leopard print!

I shall also be documenting holidays and days out and about.  I enjoy nothing better than a day out in London going to visit an exhibition or gallery, just soaking up the history and culture.  I recently visited the V&A Museum to see Shoes – Pleasure and Pain – which was an invaluable insight into shoes throughout the ages.  I am also a member of the National Trust and get a real sense of nostalgia when looking around their historical buildings as well as a sense of paying my part for the upkeep of our outstanding British heritage.

Wimpole Estate

So here we are, a quick overview of the essence of my blog.  I hope you will enjoy reading it and pick up a few tips along the way!  I am hoping to blog on a weekly basis, maybe more if I have been particularly busy!  So until next time…………….