It’s an exhaustive business this ‘re-imagining’ gig, thanks to an Interior Decorator with an imagination that enthralls, thrills, strikes fear in my heart and exhausts my brain in equal measure. While I need a story board, a project plan and a timeline, James prefers to decorate ‘organically’. What does that even mean? I’ll let you know if I survive. But let’s talk about opinions…

My posse are reassuring, at the same time clamoring for a sneak peak; work mates are wanting my bleating about my half finished house to end; financial advisor has issued a dire warning that I’ll be working full time ’till 70 if I hope to keep my retired self in the manner to which I’ve become accustomed; and a few are querying why I’m even bothering to redecorate what they consider a perfectly ok home in the first place.

And then an ever so subtle jibe: ‘Oh yes – she’s replacing all her furniture, re-decorating her whole house and taking an overseas trip all in one year!’ A parent shouldering hefty and extensive fees associated with a child’s education and dancing passion – I get it. Am I offended? Not at all for I know the final outcome for her and her family will be worth a thousand renovations. Do I care? Absolutely not…well maybe just a little. Feel the need to justify? Hmmm. Perception versus reality is a tough nut to crack.

But this I will say – given we spend a good deal of our lives in our homes we want that space to be visually stimulating yet cosy enough to still our busy minds, a haven in which to recuperate and regenerate and, just like us, it too needs the occasional reenergizing. As for travel – how wonderful our opportunity to expand those minds to all the cultural experiences the world has to offer thanks to increasingly competitive air fares making global travel that much more accessible? And if that’s your gig, why not? It is mine.

Stay tuned for the next exciting episode as the renovations conclude or the holiday gets underway – which ever comes first! Just one thing though – James if you are reading this, please, please leave me sufficient to buy an airport coffee?
PS – image is not my house