A Singer sewing machine, telephone table and antique games table in
our hallway were all from my grandmother’s family, too. I love that we’re
still using and appreciating these items so many years later, and I hope
they can stay in the family for generations to come.
Which is your favourite spot in the house? The back veranda catches
the morning sun beautifully, so it’s a perfect spot to read and have a
cup of tea. The front veranda is light-filled and breezy at most times
of the day, so it’s a nice space to share meals and hang out. And then,
of course, there’s my office. My desk is situated under a window that
looks out over a grassy field, and sitting there is definitely a favourite
place of mine.Tell us about Floralovely. I was a florist for almost 10 years before
I began studying calligraphy (hence the business name!). I mostly
write with nibs dipped in ink – the truly old-fashioned way – and
have worked with some amazing clients over the years, writing
on a variety of mediums like fresh leaves, champagne bottles and
shells. Right now, I’m only working a couple of jobs per month so
I can focus my attention on our children. Work can wait, but their
childhood won’t!
How do you separate work from your home life? It was difficult at first,
but I took some advice from a friend and treated my work time like I was
actually going to a separate office somewhere else. So, during my work
hours, I don’t pop a quick load of laundry on; I don’t quickly wash the
dishes or tidy up the living room. If I was at an office in the city I wouldn’t
be able to do those chores or have those distractions. It took a lot of
practice, but I realised after a while that I wasn’t being very productive in
my work as I kept doing home jobs instead.
Where do you go to find a little downtime and relax? It sounds
contradictory, but I love spending downtime in my office. It’s my creative
space, and writing calligraphy can be so relaxing (as long as there isn’t
a tight deadline!). Even though it might not be ‘downtime’, it’s still ‘me
time’, where I can allow my brain to shift gears.
What does home mean to you? Warmth, safety, hugs, chats, rest, love.around the house