I forget how or why but I’ve recently had to really think about my house and why it’s my safe space.

I didn’t know at the time but I lived a fairly privileged childhood in a nice 3 bedroom house overlooking fields; where I’d spend my summers playing as a child, the house was in a small community. At 16 my parents moved us into a new build house a mile up the road, it was a large 4 bed detached house overlooking woodland; I was once again very fortunate to grow up there.

Me and Richard have lived in a variety of houses both rented and owned through our years together; my sister meanwhile landed on her feet and bought a very large 4 bedrooms house overlooking fields. I always knew I wanted a house for our kids to grow into adults in and with a nice view. I’ve long had a dream of having long lazy weekends where our adult kids (and partners) drift in and out as they please, we eat, open bottles of wine and it becomes a hub not a house.

In 2019 while browsing right move (it’s a hobby) I spotted a local 4 bed detached house overlooking fields. It was within our price range. We drove by it a few times Then booked a viewing; some small concerns over the location, but the house was large, modern and seemed great. On viewing , it was indeed large and the views incredible and due to the location super quiet nestled between woods and crop land it was quiet. the decor wasn’t to our tastes and it needed some freshening up. We put an offer in, it took a whole year to organise before we moved in April 2020 3 days before the country went into covid lockdown, it gave us time to clean, paint and plan.

Pretty soon we’d refreshed the hallway ripping up a heavily used carpet and replacing it with a warm oak. It always looks super welcoming like being welcomed by a sunny smile . I’ve got attractive lighting that features in the downstairs hallway ceiling lights, over stairs chandelier feature and landing wall Lights which tie the expansive and split level space together.

The kitchen had its first ever deep clean the day we moved in. We painted it pretty fast too, into clean colours. It’s a large space split between a U shape kitchen and open dining area, over time we put a pair of comfortable seats, side table, lamp and speaker to create a snug corner. As I can’t really cook post stroke I’ll often sit in the snug corner and talk to Rich while he cooks listening to music together.

Our living room has ended up an eclectic mix of mostly mid century modern inspired furniture but in my favourite colours.

My favourite few rooms of the house:

Our guest room. A ground floor double room that didn’t really have a function until we moved in. We frequently have friends to visit and stay so we painted, put new carpet, nice bedding and curtains in. I’m glad we did as it was where I slept for a while on my return from hospital summer 2023. It kept me on the ground floor as I wasn’t yet doing stairs and it gave me easy access to another favourite room:

The ‘big’ bathroom; as our house is essentially a dorma bungalow the main family bathroom is on the ground floor. It was created to a high standard. It’s a big space with an oversized bathtub that took me a while to learn to use again. A seperate large shower. Pedestal sink, the tiling is lovely and after placing a storage unit and nice mirror because a top space in the house.

Finally my ultimate room is the master bedroom (our bedroom). Upstairs, it gives great views over the surrounding fields and towards our local town centre. It was 10 years in the making (in my head) I remembered once seeing a wallpaper I loved, I forget where, but had never had a chance to action this. Until we got to this house, I managed to find it online and get it, it’s a deep Matt black with white silver birch tree trunks heading up the wall, the remaining walls are white.

We have a thick dark carpet and heavy black curtains. The odd bit of gold decoration makes it not too monochrome , one thing I will never compromise on is nice bedding, it’s currently white, pretty plain, with a white fur throw runner.

At night time with bedside lamps on and the curtains drawn it feels super cosy and dark which is what I always wanted. I really like to feel like I’ve closed the world out

While on my many weeks in hospital I longed for that bed and room, the feeling of being enveloped, silence, comfort, Rich next to me and the dog in the room both snoring.

Even when we got home and I was downstairs all I wanted was to get back to my bed and my room. I have a strong recollection of one of my physios helping me up the stairs and into the room. I looked out of the window soaking in my view then sat on the bed with the physio, she told me the room felt like “a supervillain lair” to which I responded “who says I’m not”. Even some 18 months onwards I relish getting into bed every night, appreciating everything: . To feel comfort, safe and happy is such a big thing.

I know people are usually house proud but I think I love my house. The things it means and stands for in my head.

Oh, home, let me come home
Home is whenever I’m with you
Oh, home, let me come home
Home is wherever I’m with you

• 🎶Home, Edward Sharpe and the magnetic zeros (2010)