Do you ever dream about being in a house that isn’t yours? I do, and often. The one that returns most, and has for decades, is set in a large, empty apartment where I’m completely alone. It’s full of shadowy corners and strange, Escher-like staircases and lifts that lead nowhere or arrive at unexpected floors.

Last night, in that unfamiliar space, I painted the walls. I chose bold colours, added artwork, layered in luxurious details. I made it mine. When I woke up, I felt quite smug, before remembering it hadn’t been real.

But also remembering that it kinda is. I am living my dream.

That dream, you see, is closely tied to my waking life now. Last autumn I bought a slightly neglected one-bedroom flat in Baron’s Court, a lovely part of West London/ North Fulham, and I’ve been slowly handing it back its mojo (and saving it from the ignominy of renters magnolia and lino). It’s a blank canvas for me, somewhere I can pour all my creative energy. I don’t have much money, so the work happens gradually, piece by piece—but it’s becoming mine, and the satisfaction of that is immense. I feel I want to exhibit it.

That same creative momentum has begun to spill into other parts of my life too—my writing, my painting, even the way I organise my days.

So here are some Before pics and some, if not quite After pics, some ‘getting there’ images.

BEFORE

AND NOW the Getting Theres:

There’s still a great amount of work to do, and I have workmen coming over the next few months to deal with that which baffles me – plumbing, tiling, electrical stuff and carpentry, but the vibe is nailed down now.

Don’t mind the mess…

Painting my kitchen yellow, ceiling and all (and me, apparently).

So, expect more of these as i go on this renovation journey. I might even do a video!