Amanda Jones is one of Ideal Home's new Open House contributors, sharing her thoughts on sustainable living and decorating a home in way that is good for the environment. See the rest of her articles here.
When we were younger my husband and I travelled extensively. We loved being immersed in unfamiliar surroundings, different sights, sounds, tastes and smells. The first time either of us boarded an airplane, was on an eleven-hour flight to Beijing, no half measures for us.
After several years of travelling, we started our family, and paused thoughts of far-flung destinations, I had always assumed, once our children were grown, my husband and I would take up where we left off, set off on our travels again, maybe swapping our suitcase for a backpack this time. I imagined long train journeys, across interesting landscapes, meeting new people. When you get bitten by the travel bug, it infects you for life.
Life, however, took up a different trajectory, and by my late forties I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I gave up work (and any potential travel fund), and focused on staying as well as I could, for as long as I could. I soon realised however, if I wasn’t going to travel in the way I had hoped, it would serve me well to make my home, my ultimate, ‘Go To Destination’.
Most of my adult life I had been in full time work. Whist I had always wanted my home to look gorgeous, it wasn’t until I was in those four walls 24/7, that I realised how important my home would be, to my health and recovery. Somewhere I wanted to be, somewhere I could heal.
I needed to create a home I wanted to spend time in, and not one I wanted to escape from. Somewhere that gave me the same joy as being on a holiday, and to do that, I would need to get the aesthetics right. I looked to William Morris as my inspiration, ‘Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful’.
A calm and clutter-free home
This change in my lifestyle, and other life events, sparked in me the need to declutter, and reassess what was important to me. Doing this helped me define my new life, what I wanted to keep in it, and what I needed to let go off.
Leaving a career I loved, was difficult, especially as it was a big part of defining who I was. Letting go of the masses of work-related books, coursework and paraphernalia, was an important part of this process. Another important aspect was starting a blog, and my Instagram account, all of which has been a cathartic part of documenting the changes I was making and experiencing.
I now have a home that is calm, and relatively clutter-free. Every object I display is something that has meaning for me or my family. It’s curated, relaxed and homely.
Healthy home
Once I had reduced my clutter, my home felt calmer, and I began to take a deep dive into making my home a healthier place to be. I began to change the cleaning products I used around my home, as well as on my body, choosing more natural and eco-friendly alternatives.
I looked to buying items that were made from natural materials and sustainably made. I wanted my home to be eco-friendly not only to me and my family, but also the planet. I believe, if we surround ourselves with naturally made products, it’s healthier for us overall.
Capturing the hotel vibes
I have stayed in some very lovely hotels, not just your standard 4-star corporate ones, but some unusual hotels, filled with character, where you feel immersed in something special. Bedrooms where you felt cocooned and cosseted. Finally, after my ‘Low Spend Year’ I was able to buy the bed of my dreams, and the most glorious naturally mattress.
My husband and I might not have our own bedroom now (you can read why here), but we’ve created a super bedroom nook, and in my opinion rivals any hotel room.
Likewise with our shower room, I designed a space that is light, airy and showcasing some of my favourite pieces of art, a scented candle, and beautiful body products. Again, the luxury of any good hotel, but I get to experience it every day.
Outside in
One of the best experiences about travelling, is to sit outside, surrounded by a beautiful vista, eating delicious meals. Making the connection between our garden and home, has been an important element to creating a home that has become my Go To Destination.
Even if you only have a small outside space, having a quiet, calm spot to drink a coffee, or eat breakfast, is such a luxury. I would encourage everyone to design a small special space of their own outside. I’ve written about how healing I feel my garden is to me here.
I’ve created my own little oasis, filled with flowers, and plenty of seating areas to watch the wildlife. I may never go on that safari I had always dreamed of, but to me, watching sparrows flit from tree to tree gathering food, or building a nest, is equally captivating.
I must put a caveat in here, I know there will be many people out there with disabilities, who still manage to travel and explore. I also know there are many women out there, who do not feel safe in their own homes. To the former, I’m glad you have found a way to travel and explore, maybe I will one day. To the latter, I hope you find your safe place, your own Go To Destination.
Life changes, and when the future you envisage changes, you must adapt with it. I’ve done just that, by creating a place I’m happy, and content to be. My home is now my ‘Go To Destination’.
