With so many of us ‘holidaying at home’ this year, I thought I would share some simple ways to get that ‘holiday feeling’ without leaving your home.
I know we have been spending a lot of time at home and most of us are yearning to escape, though it’s important to remember the role our homes play and how they are so vital to our well being, giving us comfort and care each day.
This is how I will be spending my time these holidays at home.
Above left: The afternoon sunshine drenching the living room / Above right: Shadowplay in the late afternoon
Do
I love having extra time to do things I wouldn’t normally have time for – time is such a luxury isn’t it. I think about all the things I want to do and how I want to feel long before the holidays start, making sure I have ideas, supplies and a few special things ready to go.
Above left: Beautiful natives, banksia branches growing in my local area / Above right: I just love bringing them into the house
More than ever over the holidays I will be getting out in nature and exploring my local area. Doing this makes for such a strong connection to your area.
I love nothing more than foraging for flowers and foliage with my basket and garden snips, and bringing them back to arrange at home.
In many ways it’s a bit of a ritual, crossed with a treasure hunt …. and it always lifts my mood.
Above left: Trimming the gathered flowers and foliage and arranging in my new vase / Above right: Bringing life to spots around the house
I love to place the freshly found stems in my new vase and dot them all over my home – in the living room, on my bedside and even the bathroom. Here’s how I do it.
Above: ‘Summer Garden’ focaccia, taking it’s decoration cues from nature
Bake
I have wanted to make this homemade ‘Summer Garden’ focaccia since I started to see beautiful photographs of garden landscapes on focaccia bread during lockdown.
It feels very 1970’s bohemian and I love the nod to nature. Flower art in baking seems to be a real thing right now and I love it.
To be honest, I’m a bit afraid of making bread, however I’ve decided these holidays to embrace the fear and just have a go!
I think it would be great with kids too. The recipe is here if you too would like to have a go.
Above left: Collected feathers and bits found near by / Above right: The sunshine actually exposes the cyanotypes. I make mine on the deck
Collect & Print
I will also be making more cyanotypes. Cyanotypes are an old world photographic process.
I absolutely love making these simple artful pieces which you can make at home in the outdoors using sunshine.
Above left: A cyanotype being exposed under glass on the deck / Above right: The finished cyanotype, with it’s beautiful deep inky indigos
I gather natural shapes like feathers, leaves and anything flat from walks around my area, bringing them home and arranging them on light sensitive paper. They make beautiful sentimental momentos.
Find out how to make artful cyanotypes here.
Above left: I love the textured cover of this book / Above right: An artful book stack, including my favourite book, on authentic Australian interiors.
Read
I love having time to pour through the pages of recipe books, art books and photography books over the holidays. So much love and care goes into creating books and bringing them to life, so it’s always worth a revisit to reread them from time to time.
If you would like to add to your holiday book stack – I have collectors editions of Weekends and Shelter available in my online shop.
I love using my book stacks as decorative objects too! Arranging my stacks of books on the coffee table or on side tables in the living room.
If you would like to see how I refresh a room and use stacks of books here is the link.
Above left: ‘Weekends’ looking very summery on the sofa
Above left: Some favourite records on vinyl / Above right: There is just something calming about listening to old classic vinyl
Listen
My holiday playlist has lots of acoustic and gentle sounds on it. Nourishment for the soul and setting a calm and restorative vibe at home. A lot of the albums I enjoy listening to are on vinyl as well.
I love to put music on just as the afternoon is starting to roll in and it gets me in the mood for a special evening at home.
Here are my favourite playlists to listen over the holidays
Above: The bar cart, filled with collected glasses, an ice bucket and cocktail shaker
Make
Make a Holiday Bar Cart. You don’t need an actual cart, it could be a tray on the kitchen bench or a simple shelf that you collect all of your special drink-making things on.
Add garnishes like thyme for special holiday drinks that make evenings feel special.
Above left: Linen pieces I enjoy changing into come the afternoon, to change the mood / Above right: Some favourite accessories I enjoy wearing
Wear
As the afternoon rolls around I’ll often have a shower and get changed into fresh clothes. It bookends the day and makes the evening feel like an event.
I still love wearing these linen pieces in summer, they make me feel relaxed, but considered. I love having anything natural on my body.
Above left: ‘Holiday Peach Cocktail’ being prepared in my favourite carafe, so fresh and delicious / Above right: Nothing beats a ‘carafe style cocktail’, sit back and top up
Drink
Mix together a special drink for sundowners outside, even if it’s on a blanket on the front lawn or by your balcony.
I like to make a drink with fresh seasonal ingredients. To make it super easy I make a carafe of the cocktail, rather than individual drinks. No one wants to get up and down all the time to make drinks. I love using my new favourite carafe.
Make the spot where you are going to have your drink feel special. Light candles, put your playlist on and enjoy the evening slow down.
My summer drink this year is the Holiday Peach Cocktail and it’s such pretty colour and is super fresh …. you can find the recipe here.
