Where do I find beauty?

It felt like such a simple question, yet as I sat with it, all these vivid, heartfelt images rose to the surface — moments, memories, tiny sparks of joy that weave colour through my days. I reached for my journal and let the words spill out. What emerged became the seed of this blog.

I find beauty in my daughter’s smile and laugh — the kind that fills a room with warmth.
In the crumpled nose of my nephew when he giggles, and the all-in, wrap-you-up hugs from my niece.
I find beauty in the colourful leaves and berries that cling to branches this time of year, in the twist of stems, the scatter of fallen petals, and the fractals of ice beginning to creep along pavements and windows.

Beauty lies in colour and pattern all around us: pink lipstick, funky jewellery, the boldness of art.
It’s in the creative process too — in the mess, the mistakes, the happy accidents that turn into something meaningful.
It shows up in music, films that make us feel something, comedy that makes us snort-laugh, books that speak to the soul, and the quiet genius of a good puzzle.

It’s in a home-cooked meal.
A heart emoji from someone you love.
The gentle comfort of a hand held in yours.

And the thing that struck me most as I wrote was this:
beauty isn’t rare — it’s everywhere. We just forget to look up and notice.

Redecorating is either something that you trust your instincts on or something that you dread. If you are in the latter camp then this blog is for you! You’ll also love The Curated Nest magazine - a free digital interiors inspiration magazine (Get it here).

There are many ways to start putting together a scheme for a room. Here I am proposing (surprise surprise) that you start with art. We often have an emotional gut reaction when we see a piece of art that we love. We choose it because it makes us feel something. That instinct can be the starting point for your whole room set up.

It usually starts with a flicker—a flash of colour in a garden I’m passing, the way morning light hits a windowsill, or a half-remembered dream that lingers into breakfast. Inspiration doesn’t often arrive with a grand announcement. For me, it sneaks in gently, asking to be noticed.

Some days, it’s rooted in nature: the curl of a fern, the bold confidence of a sunflower, or the hush of a misty coastline. Other times, it’s a memory—of childhood holidays, days trips, or conversations with a friend. Little moments, half-glimpsed and deeply felt, that quietly ask to be turned into ink and carved into lino.

I’ve learned to trust these sparks. To gather them like treasures. Because behind every print I make, there’s a story—stitched together from colour, curiosity, and the beautiful, ordinary magic of everyday life.

Yesterday was the testy spring market and there were so many great makers there. I was next to the lovely On My Wick Candles (@onmywickcandles) and Urban Cubs (@urban_cubs).

On my wick create amazingly scented candles whose names are linked to children’s stories. My personal favourite was the chocolate fudge brownie, closely followed by pumpkin pasty - delicious!

urban cubs make the funkiest clothes for little ones. They stick to a monochrome palette in order to create fun items that are gender neutral.

Go check them both out!