Category: HOME & GARDEN
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Space is EXPENSIVE in the UK
The title speaks for itself — I work in the City, in the heart of London — which means I have to be within commuting distance. As a consequence, I have to live in one of the most expensive places in the world per square meter. As you can see below, central London is more…
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New skills and practicing what I preach: a growth mindset
In one of the modules I led this year, a key topic was growth mindset, which is the opposite of a fixed mindset. The latter involves the assumption that “I am what I am… I can’t [insert your limiting belief—drive, fix things, speak in public, etc.].” It’s not about denying the significance of talent; it’s…
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New Bedroom!
As with much that I have got going on, this was months in development. I bought the bed at a great sale price just after Christmas, when I guess new beds aren’t typically a priority. It was project management 101 – chicken, fox, grain – I had to get the radiator fixed and lighting changed…
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Home Improvements, Minor but Meaningful Progress
The house has been very much on the backburner since January. I’ve taken little opportunities to progress, getting things in place for months to come. The vision for the garden is coming into view for example, as is the artistic vision for the house.
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A Practical Man and his Backstage
It took me several years to turn my old house into a masterclass in backstage management. The theory is simple: you can’t have an opulent and uncluttered front stage without a well-managed backstage. All those practical tools and instruments need a home. Organisation is liberation, whereas a lack of organisation leads to procrastination and inefficiency.…
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A new garden
It won’t happen overnight but I’ve made meaningful steps towards an Alice in Wonderland-style back garden. It won’t be boringly manicured to death, it will be a wild haven where all are welcome (except other humans – unless they’re invited!) It’s a wild flower rather than grass garden which suits me fine, I can leave…
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Home Sweet Home
It’s been almost 3 months since I moved into my new house in Rugby, central England. Given that I’ve worked full-time (and barely taken a day’s leave) since I completed purchase on 13th December, it’s remarkable that I’ve managed to put my stamp on the place. Don’t get me wrong there’s years of work to…
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Home Improvement: Before & After
Some things take care of themselves, other things don’t and home and garden are amongst them. I do not recall the last time I painted the shed, fences, etc., but it certainly was not last summer. The algae build up suggests three years at least so it was well overdue. It represents about a week’s…
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The garden: Lots of colour and a new bench (for the cat apparently)
18 months of extra-ordinary rain has to be good for something. The flowers in my garden are certainly very happy about it, I am seeing record blooms and there’s every reason to expect more to come. The garden has been neglected in the last few years but this year I have managed to squeeze in…
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The Home Front @ Christmas
Now the 7th Christmas in the Droitwich house, how quickly it goes by! The house is all set for a calm and fun Christmas. There is a lot of work to be done over the “break” but at least I’ll be doing it in style in my festive grotto.
Dr Martin James 