Exploring how small we can really live…
When I was hunting for a new home in London, I kept stumbling across studio flats—tiny spaces that so often looked unloved, almost as though their owners were campingin them rather than living. But the locations were incredible, the prices were manageable, and something about them sparked my curiosity.
So I did it.
I bought a studio flat.
This Substack is an invitation to follow my journey: why I chose to live smaller, how I’m transforming this little space into a home I love, and how simplifying my physical surroundings has helped simplify my life.
More than anything, I want to help people pause and consider what we actually need, what we value, and what we love—not just what we’ve accumulated. Happiness doesn’t come from square footage or the number of things we own. In fact, those can weigh us down more than we realise.
Living With What’s Here (Before Rushing to Replace It)
It’s easy—almost automatic—to walk into a tired property and feel the urge to rip everything out. Start again. Make it perfect.
But that comes with a cost: to our wallets, and to the planet.
Sustainability and healthy living sit at the heart of all my interior decisions. I believe our homes can support the world we want to live in, not just our personal aesthetics. That means questioning what we need to buy, what can be reused or up-cycled, where materials come from, and even how they’re packaged.
And trust me—I was tempted to redo everything immediately. The carpets were stained (including in the bathroom… yes, carpet in the bathroom). But I stuck to my values. I pulled up the carpets, moved in, and decided to live with the space exactly as it was so I could make conscious decisions, not impulsive ones.
Before and after photos of my bathroom….
Environment Matters: Light, Space, and the Natural World
Light is my greatest “feel-good.”
Sun streaming through a window changes everything. I crave wide skies, the calm of open beaches, and the rhythmic energy of the sea. These places ground me, motivate me, and inspire my design work.
Nature regenerates itself every season—quietly, effortlessly. It reminds me that renewal doesn’t always mean replacement. Sometimes it’s about working with what is already there, nurturing it, and allowing it to evolve.
As designers, I believe we have a role in helping people make better, more mindful choices. We can create beautiful spaces that honour both the people living in them and the planet that supports us.
Why I Chose a Studio: A Home Built on Values, Not Square Feet
Studio living is an exercise in intention. Fitting an entire life into one room forces you to ask: What do I really need? What brings me joy? What supports my wellbeing?
For me, the answer wasn’t “more space.”
It was:
A location near parks where I can run in the mornings
A pool close by for my swims
Good natural light, flooding in throughout the day
Easy transport links to see friends and family
A view of the sky from my window
A communal garden I can pop down to whenever the sun comes out
That’s what makes me feel at home. Not spare rooms. Not bigger wardrobes. Not endless storage.
The Challenge—and Freedom—of Living Small
Most of us think we need more space because our homes are full of things we never use or wear. But what if the real solution isn’t more room—but less stuff?
I’ve always loved the challenge of working out how to live beautifully and functionally in small spaces. It forces creativity. It demands purpose. And it aligns deeply with my belief that we must reduce how much we consume and how lightly we treat the resources of our planet.
The last four years—despite uncertainty and big life changes—have been the happiest of my adult life. And that happiness grew from simplifying, stripping back, and choosing what mattered most.
Living small isn’t about restriction.
It’s about freedom.
It’s about clarity.
It’s about building a life anchored in what feels meaningful—not in what simply fills space.
Thank you to Catriona for inspiring me to start writing my story. Have a look at her Substack as well all about Garden Design.
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