FROM THE EDITOR

With a new year ahead of us, my thoughts have turned to the next phase of work we have planned for our home renovation project. We spent most of last year focused on outdoor space and, as it turned out, it was the best decision we could have made. In ‘normal times’, we wouldn’t have done this. Instead, we’d have thrown all our energy indoors, but taking our time has given us the opportunity to properly consider how we want to really ‘live’ in our home and what to do with the space.

Home retailer Ikea recently conducted fascinating research on how our relationship with our home has changed as a result of the pandemic. Not surprisingly, it discovered that many people have amended their priorities – and what they want from their homes now is very different. More outdoor space, a separate area to work and somewhere to ‘escape to’ came high on the list. The report also revealed that many of us have embraced a more fluid way of living and this needs to be reflected in both space and furniture design. How we use and maximise our rooms has never seemed more important.

So, as we make a start on one of the biggest parts of our project

– the kitchen – I’m mindful it needs to be stylish, hardworking and multifunctional. Like everyone, we’re spending so much more time in it – cooking, working and socialising (physically and on Zoom). The kitchen has become a truly multi-purpose room and I’m hoping we can create a new design that will reflect our flexible lifestyle. When it comes to choosing the colour, I’ll certainly be taking notes from our decorating special, The Kitchen Restyle, on page 19. In fact, this whole issue is full of inspiring ideas we hope you’ll love. Until next month…