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Nest

For the home enhancers

Where’s the toaster love?

Hello, there lovely readers, been thinking of you as we continue grappling with our new way of being. If you’re in need of a little light entertainment, let me share the blood, sweat and beers that went into prepping my cosy little abode for sale. Yep, we’re on the market; new apartment currently being built, a stint on the coast with the silver fox in the interim – poor lamb, I suspect he’s taken out insurance to cover his psychiatry bills – but I digress, an exciting little sea-change during these crazy times.

As those of you who’ve been down the same path will attest, it’s a whole barrel of laughs turning your home into micky-spiff gleam for photography yet welcoming for the open house punters, isn’t it? Well, I did the homework, I’ll do anything to increase the chances of a decent offer, and if you’re yet to wander into similar territory, here’s what I learnt:

Minimal clutter? Too easy!

‘Clean lines, large open spaces and minimal clutter will make for great images, ok?’ advised the photographer and videographer. ‘Too easy, I don’t do clutter’ said I. Ha! Turns out a kitchen short on storage requires exceptionally creative ways to hide a toaster, kettle, fridge magnets and knife blocks. So too, a raft of cosmetics and a dingy full of shower toiletries, body scrubs and associated tools as well as scales, rubbish bins and bathmats. And let’s not forget family photos, magazines, books, ornaments, smart device cables, shoes, sporting equipment, keys, unruly open wardrobes, office paperwork, monitors and electrical cords. I could have kissed them in clear disrespect for social distancing when they said they never photograph a laundry!

One kitchen appliance? You’re joking!

Following the oracle that is Google, narrowing my home down to just one kitchen appliance, a couple of ornaments, a coffee table book, and a candle was no mean feat. Not to mention the urgent run to the nearest Adairs for fresh matching towels and Woolies for roses and a bunch of green apples for the kitchen bowl in a one-hour candidate cancellation time slot. Positively olympian! Inspired me to join Steptember – geez!

A lightbulb moment…

The one where Google said that when preparing your home for photography, every single lamp and overhead light in the place should be turned on and all lightbulbs the same colour. Wot! My bedroom lamps have a soft pink hue, the lounge a warm white thanks to ever so clever ‘smart’ bulbs; the kitchen and bathrooms all halogen. Shite! After an intimate engagement with Woolie’s lightbulb section, I said ‘feck it’, photographers can sort it. See? Lightbulb moment.

Where’s the toaster darl?

‘The toaster? It’s in the laundry basket hon.’ ‘No don’t use those towels, they’re for display.’ ‘Hey! Use the half-empty loo roll, not the new one on the holder ok?’ ‘STOP! Don’t walk on the carpet, you’ll leave footprints!’ I screamed as the silver fox turned helpless circles on a small patch of non carpeted floor on open house morning, desperate for food. Cushions chopped into random rabbit ears and blooms fluffed just like a seasoned stylist, fingerprints eradicated like a pro-criminal, I called to the now happily fed man ‘What do you think mate, that should do it huh?’

Cupboard peeking punters

The cluey man, drawing on a brief stint in real-estate back in the ’80s replied ‘Hon, you do realise that the punters will peek in the laundry and every single cupboard, cos’ that’s what punters do. What do you plan on doing with all the crap you’ve shoved in there?’ ‘They won’t look in my cane laundry basket in the wardrobe will they now’ I retorted. Who’d have thought I could repurpose that cane laundry basket so effectively? Took some dexterity to Tetris pack the toaster, electric jug, bathroom scales, soggy towels, toiletries, bathmats, bins, and loo cleaners into that basket. A great deal longer to get ’em out too. Three times for three open houses.

Speaking of toast…

Did I bake the bread, grind the coffee beans, or spritz the house with vanilla as the guides tell us? Heck no! Since COVID lockdown you may have been Instagramming your perfectly home-baked bread loaves, but faffing with dough and beans is just not my schtick. Instead, a few bunches of non-smelling roses, one subtlely fragranced candle and a bunch of green apples so as not to insult the olfactories of sensitive punters, done, the pub beckons!

Hear me, real-estate gods…

Well, the marathon results led to a sprint to the finish line, and on auction day we sold. I’m sad for it’s the close of a 12-year chapter, I’m bitter-sweet for I’m sure I could have sold for more but it’s an aging building with ridiculous Body Corp fees and a crazily temperamental solo lift, and I’m happy as the sliver fox will be joining me in the next exciting chapter.  Now to packing up and renting while I wait for my beautiful new apartment to be finished – stay tuned! Meanwhile, will be off the air for a few weeks. Stay safe lovely friends.

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Hygge? You know your soaking in it…

Hi, there beautiful people, looking forward to emerging from your cocoons, the ‘bubble’ you’ve been in these past 12 weeks? Must admit, I’m not ready to leave mine yet. Been relishing the fresh air on long beach walks with the man, the simple pleasure of an almond milk latte reward, home-cooked meals, lighting candles once reserved for special occasions, reading, writing, reflecting, giggling at TicTok revellers – the little pleasures I’d once reserved for ‘when I had time’. Then it dawned on me – COVID-19 and ensuing isolation have been our catalyst for implementing the Danish concept of ‘Hygge’ – the Danes would be proud! The past few months have taught us (me at least) the secret to their contentment first hand – we’ve been soaking in it! Thought I’d reshare a post I wrote this time last year on the art of Hygge. Read on to see just how you’ve been adopting the concept of Hygge.

July 14 2019: Hi, there lovely readers, I’m jumping off the “love your work” theme and taking a moment to pause, reflect and consider the flip side of our working life, the stuff that fuels our capacity to show up and deliver in the first place. I’m talking downtime.

As the crisper eves continue, it’s the perfect time to settle in, get cosy, and indulge in a little comfort and self-care with friends, loved ones and fur-babies. The Danish way. The Danes tie the ideas of companionship, wholesomeness, and contentment into one harmonious whole and call it “Hygge.” Come with me as we explore the Danish world of “Hygge” – pronounced “HUE-guh” – a delightful word that has no exact equivalent in English but loosely translates to ‘cosiness.’

Hygge?

Coming from an Old Norse word, “hugga,” means to comfort or console, also the source of the English word “hug” and that’s all about warmth, comfort, and closeness – all the feelings you get from a hug. In Denmark, Hygge is a central part of the culture, one of the reasons happiness economists rate Denmark as the happiest country in the world, in spite of a wet, chilly climate where it rains for nearly half the year.

Country Living describes Hygge as “a feeling of cosy contentment and well-being through enjoying the simple things in life.” British journalist Helen Russell, author of “The Year of Living Danishly,” calls it “taking pleasure in the presence of gentle, soothing things.”

Examples of hygge?

Hygge life typically shares five main features:

Comfort. Snuggling around a crackling fire, cosied up in woollies with a cup of mulled wine, that’s the Danish way.

Companionship. Sharing that fireside and mulled wine with an intimate group of friends and fur-babies.

Relaxation. A leisurely walk, kicking back with a good read, immersing one’s self in creative hobbies, taking time to breathe, meditate, be still.

Connecting with Nature. Immersing oneself in the sights, sounds, and smells of nature, feeling raindrops on our face, marvelling at cloud formations as thunderstorms roll in.

Simplicity. Enjoying that morning coffee snuggled in your bathrobe while sitting by an open window and listening to the birds’ songs. So Hygge!

Show me how to hygge?

As you can see, the Hygge lifestyle is within anyone’s grasp, essentially, it focuses on slowing down, embracing nature and making more time for friends. Keen to immerse yourself in this way of life? Here are 12 suggestions to get you started…

1. Light a candle (or ten)
A big part of the Hygge gig, so no surprises that Danes go through more candles than any other nation on earth, they even use the term “lyselukker,” meaning “someone who puts out the candles,” to refer to a spoilsport. Many stores carry large bags 100 tea lights for under $15, too easy! I’m a sucker for both these and scented candles.

2. Light that fireplace
If a tiny candle flame is cosy, a fire is even cosier, after all, who doesn’t love watching flickering flames? A chance to toast a few marshmallows as well. No indoor fireplace? Why not stream a video of a crackling fire on your TV. You may not feel the heat, but you can still watch the flames flicker and hear the logs pop. There’s an app for that, and Youtube has10-hour videos as well.

3. Snuggle into comfy clothes
Jump into something easy and comfortable. Bulky sweaters and knitted socks or your favourite snuggly leisurewear, long as you’re comfy. I indulged in a set of cashmere pant and cardigan while settling into a cold Europe a few years ago and they’re still my winter faves.

4. Take a walk
Danes love a pleasant walk in all kinds of weather. Especially lovely with a friend or a group of friends, or just you and your dog – a great way to get closer to nature.

5. Ride a bike
Bikes are so Hygge because they move at a slower pace than cars, giving you time to enjoy the scenery. Already own a bike? Go for it! Or jump on one of the many yellow jobs lurking around our fair cities. Why not make the fresh food markets your first stop. Why?

6. Share a meal
Bring the outdoors in by gathering fresh, natural ingredients for homemade muesli, pancakes, fruit compote, roast lamb, meatballs, just some of the Danish faves, the focus being on comfort food rather than haute cuisine. If cooking for a crowd is not your gig, have your friends bring their favourite cosy dishes to share.

7. Bring nature indoors
While foraging at the markets for that fresh produce, grab a bunch of fresh flowers, foliage or branches from your garden, pine cones, anything that will fill your home with nature’s glorious work.

8. Share a warm drink

The Danes love a glogg or spiced mulled wine. Yum! However, any kind of hot drink – coffee, tea, hot chocolate -will add to the hyggelig atmosphere. Nothing cosier than sitting snuggled with a steaming mug in your hands on a cold, wet winters day.

9. Read a Book
A fabulous way to slow down and detach yourself from the busy, fast-paced modern world. Hard copy or Kindle, doesn’t matter (though my Mum would beg to differ – she loves the smell of a good book), as long as you can lose yourself in that story.

10. Indulge in a TV binge with friends
The Danes especially love police procedurals about deranged killers, and they’re pretty fond of scary movies too (stick to fictional scares though otherwise, you’ll be creating the wrong mood entirely!), feeling safe and cosied up amidst their friends. Doesn’t matter your preferences, as long as you’re relaxing.

11. Play Board Games
Yep, that’s a very Hygge way to spend an evening while ticking off three Hygge boxes: companionship, relaxation, and simplicity. Cards, board games, participation games abound.

12. Snuggle
I love a good snuggle, after all, what could be cosier than cuddling? Again the elements of Hygge – comfort, relaxation, simplicity, and spending time with people you’re close to. Snuggle with your partner, your kids, your bestie, your pet. Heck, why not all of them at the same time. It’s warm and joyful, and it costs not a cent.

Our world is hectic, we tend to take pride in who’s put the longest hours in, is working the hardest, and that’s precisely why Hygge is so useful for us. Hygge forces us to slow down and relax. Kick off with this top twelve and before you know it, you’ll be embracing the Danish ‘Hygge’ with ease.

Feel free to share your own Hygge ideas won’t you…

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Nourishing the senses during iso…

Well hello, lovely readers, still safe and well and enjoying chilling into this new way of working and living? My idea of doing so is to kick a few work goals at one end of the house during the day, take a brisk walk then settle in with a good book, Netflix marathon or playlist at the other end in the eve. That said, the environment in which I relax needs to soothe my soul, and I’m regularly seeking enhancements for making it just so. But is my home soothing my soul as well as it could be right now? Well almost.

We all know that a house that feels like a home is good for health and wellbeing and creating a haven where we can rest, rejuvenate and reconnect with our selves is particularly relevant during these times. According to Grace, a design researcher, surrounding yourself with the things that you love and bring joy – be it patterns, colours, objects, fragrance or sound – nourishes your senses and improves your overall wellbeing. Elena, an interior designer and sustainability and wellbeing expert, reinforces – ‘our space directly impacts wellbeing, and design choices affect quality of comfort on three levels: cognitive, physical and emotional’. ‘For example, logical thinking and detail-orientated processes require lower ceilings, enclosed spaces and sharp edges, while creativity and inspiration need higher ceilings and curved shapes’.

Well, I might not be able to restructure my ceilings to create a cosy ‘cubby’ for my work, but there are several things I CAN do to enhance my wellbeing. Trawling the latest Breathe, a magazine that focuses on wellbeing, mindfulness, creativity and escaping, I came across a great little selection of ideas, sure to thrill the senses and soothe the soul. As we gently ease into the Autumn months of self-imposed exile, why not try a few, all sustainable and affordable. Let me share them with you:

Refresh bedding

My bedroom is my haven so I’ll be bringing out the feathers – 90% down, light as air yet ever so cosy – and swapping out the crisp white doona cover with something more lux. Why not choose a warm colour such as burnt orange or magenta, and layer with a luxurious throw, add a couple of good reads and a candle or two on the bedside table for good measure?

Adjust home fragrances

Speaking of candles, I love a good scented one and, by simply taking the lid off my gorgeous Jo Malone ‘Peony and Blush’ candle, the one that matches my fragrance, my bedroom quickly fills with sensory delight. If you love candles too, now’s the time to bring in the warming scents like vanilla, cinnamon, toffee and amber. A bunch of richly scented flowers while on the supermarket run is a perfect alternative.

Declutter

How quickly do cupboards and drawers fill huh? I’m planning on organising my linen, kitchen and bathroom cupboards. In this era of living in lifestyle gear, aka gym pants, I’m also a little ashamed of the volume of clothing bursting from my wardrobe. In preparation for post-apocalypse, I’ll be ruthless and pare back to just the items that make me feel fabulous, confident and put together (provided the stuff still fits!). Why not get the whole fam involved by having them do the same in their respective domains?

Swap out the accessories

Like the bedroom, I’ll be bringing the snuggly winter cushions and matching throw out of storage to add a little more texture. Having just purchased lamp globes that can be modified using smart technology, I’ll soften the bulbs to a more sultry tone as well. Luxurious textures, such as faux fur, velvet or wool with thicker weaves, a throw to snuggle into during those movie marathons, a small batch of (battery-powered) flickering candles and a scented real one and there you go.

Create a feature wall

Last year, I painted my office wall a deep rich tone, added a few prints, a pile of books, a plant and a couple of treasured ornaments that evoke fond memories when I view them. Why not choose a wall or small room to repaint and create a cosy atmosphere; colours from the yellow family can add brightness and happiness when opening up dark areas while purple hues can create a luxe calming effect.

Upcycle furniture

Sustainability right? Why not give a piece of tired-looking furniture a new lease on life by painting it a happy colour – if that’s not your thing, it will make for an excellent little task for family members who love to get their hands dirty.

I’m sure you have many more ideas to share, please, please do so, meanwhile, enjoy! Oh, and here’s a link to a recent post discussing Hygge – Let’s Hygge where the Danish do exactly what we are discussing here beautifully!

Stay safe lovely peoples x

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