The Weekly Edit

There's something about winter that naturally draws us toward spaces that invite us to pause and breathe deeply. As the cooler evenings settle in, I've been thinking about how our homes can either rush us through our days or gently encourage us to slow down and savor the moment.

This week's Edit explores the art of creating spaces that naturally whisper "stay awhile" - from understanding why certain rooms make us want to linger over dinner conversations, to mastering the simple elements that transform a house into a sanctuary. We're also diving into why some beautifully decorated spaces still feel restless, despite having all the right pieces.

Pour yourself something warm (the season for cozy glasses of mulled wine has officially arrived), find your most comfortable chair, and settle in for some midweek design wisdom that celebrates both the psychology of comfort and the gentle rebellion of slowing down in our fast-paced world.



P.S. If you've already found yourself lingering longer at your dining table lately - you're not imagining it. Trust those instincts - they're telling you something important about what your soul needs right now.

1. Winter Instincts

There's something deeply instinctive about our craving to slow down when winter arrives - the way we naturally gravitate toward spaces that invite lingering, the pull toward creating moments that stretch beyond the rush of daily life.

This week, I've been thinking about why some homes naturally encourage us to pause while others keep us moving. It's not just about beautiful furniture - it's psychology. Our brains are hardwired to seek spaces that support connection and calm, a need that becomes even stronger as we spend more time indoors.



The magic happens when you understand this connection. Comfortable seating that supports lingering, warm lighting that makes 6pm feel cozy, styling that transforms everyday meals into small celebrations - suddenly your space doesn't just look different, it feels different. It's this understanding of how our environment affects our wellbeing that transforms a house into a true sanctuary for slowing down.

2. Table Renaissance

This week I've been fascinated by how families are rediscovering their dining tables - not as homework stations or mail sorting areas, but as gathering places where conversations can unfold without rushing. There's something powerful about a space that naturally encourages people to stay, to connect, to breathe.

It's the dining table renaissance we've been talking about all week - the shift from eating everywhere but the table to creating intentional moments around it. Sunday roasts are making a comeback, not just for the food, but for the permission they give us to slow down and actually see each other.



The magic isn't just in having a beautiful table - it's in understanding how the right lighting, comfortable seating, and thoughtful styling can transform "let's eat and run" into "can we stay here all evening?" When we design spaces that support lingering, everything changes

 3. Designing Connection

The homes we're styling now? Most dining spaces aren't separate rooms - they're part of the kitchen/living flow, fighting for attention with cooking prep, homework, and Netflix nights. Clients are asking how to carve out intentional dining moments in these multi-use spaces. It's about creating visual and emotional separation without walls. A pendant light that defines the dining zone. A rug that anchors the table area. Styling that signals "this is where we gather" even when the kitchen bench is covered in school bags and the living room is calling.

The magic happens when you understand how to create a moment within the chaos. Warm lighting that transforms the dining corner from daytime workspace to evening sanctuary. Comfortable seating that makes family want to linger even with the TV nearby. Small styling touches that elevate a quick dinner into something that feels special.

4. Katy's Mini Edit

Loving for 2025

The way families are rediscovering Sunday roasts - not just the food, but the permission to linger over dessert and actually talk to each other. It's not about perfect roast beef or fancy table settings - it's about creating space for conversations that meander, for second helpings, for those precious moments when nobody's checking their phone because the table has become the most interesting place to be.

Design Tip

Create a dining 'moment' in open-plan spaces with a rug under the table - it anchors the area and signals 'this is where we gather'

Excited About...

Getting my ‘roast on’..... I’m looking at you chicken!