Lisa Dawson design newsletter

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Design Dilemmas Episode 126. This week we're discussing non distracting kitchen cupboards, front doors that peel and dark walls. Plus the acoustic wall low down and, of course, the Sunday Niche Edit. Oct 11 READ IN APP [cover photo credit: Emily Hadley]. Hello and this week, my dilemma has been lack of curtains in my bedroom. This is not because I cannot sleep unless it’s very dark - I have spent many years with no curtains in many houses with no issues - but because I now live in a terraced Victorian house which is a hop, skip and a jump away from my opposite neighbours who can see everything I do. An issue, in a bedroom, not least when getting up in the morning and going to bed. To remedy this, I mentioned before that I have been hanging tablecloths up at night but the only way to do this is to open the window and tuck the tops down the middle sash to hold them up, meaning that my bedroom is cold all night. However, all is about to change as Graham the handyman has just arrived as I write this and is going to drill in curtain rails. Okay, so I don’t have curtains yet and haven’t even measured them to order fabric (I am a bit behind) but I have ordered some temporary panels from La Redoute Sale which were a tenner each and they will do the trick until I get my act in gear. The neighbours eyes will no longer be bleeding when they pull their curtains, praise be. Graham the handyman is so handy. Honestly. He can do anything, whether big or small and unless he’s away, he can always come within the week. Most stuff I can do myself, tbh, if it’s picture hanging and small things. But when I can’t, or it involves major drilling and possible ruination of the walls (I have a history of this) then Graham is on hand. I have realised now that I don’t even need a husband in my current state; all I need is someone who can come and do handyman type things when required. I’ve covered my back with British Gas Homecare so anything that goes wrong, whether appliances, plumbing, gas or electricity, they come out within a couple of days. I can call my friend Karen if I need assistance with furniture moving, or recruit Leo if he’s home. Basically all bases covered. Although it would be nice to have someone to pour me a glass of wine on a Friday night. Or any night, ha. But back to business and today we’re starting off with finding a colour for a newly installed narrow kitchen that won’t distract from the subscribers art and ceramics collection. We are looking at a front door by the seaside that keeps peeling and talking about how to fix it without having to strip the whole lot, plus a South West facing room that is crying out for cosy dark walls. And finally, we are investigating acoustic walls to create a bedroom for an autistic adult that feels like a music room. The Sunday Niche Edit today is feeling very seasonal as we are looking at burgundy patterned cushions to winterise your home for the season. Paid subscribers (particularly if you’re new), remember that you can add your dilemmas or quandaries below here in the comments or you can join in the Group Chat (the speech bubble on your app or just click the link below) where there are thousands of you waiting to help with any issues that arise (I pick ones from both of these locations for my weekly post, so whack yours in). Join Lisa Dawson’s subscriber chat Available in the Substack app and on web Join chat You can READ ON by becoming a paid subscriber which means that not only do you receive four free posts a month but you’ll also get an eight EXTRA posts a month (including all my plans for our new home) plus Chat threads so you can join our blossoming community. You’ll be able to access my archive to read ALL of my past posts (including recipes and travel write ups) for the price of one coffee a month. I would thoroughly recommend!... Subscribe to Joie De Vivre to unlock the rest. Become a paying subscriber of Joie De Vivre to get ac