Happy new week! It’s time for another ‘Mental wellbeing, my home and me’ post, part of my series interviewing creatives about the connection between our interior spaces and how they make us feel. I really wanted this series to show a whole host of different homes, from small to large, from rented to owned, from urban to suburban, from the UK to far beyond. While each featured home will likely be on the simple end of the minimalist to maximalist spectrum, what matters is that each home is completely unique and tells the story of that inhabitant. Rather than ticking a style box or specific trend, I really believe our homes need to connect with us on a deeper level in order to make us feel good, whatever shape or form that takes.
Today we’re heading to Newcastle to meet my friend Nancy Straughan. You might remember we hosted a couple of interior styling workshops together at Skandium in London before she moved north. Nancy has a great eye for detail and a really distinctive personal style – I’m delighted to feature her cosy, soulful home on the blog today. On her own blog Nancy describes her style as 60% modern rustic, 20% mid-century and 20% bohemian. After suffering from panic disorder, anxiety and situational depression, Nancy discovered what grounds her at home – bringing nature inside and using neutral tones to create a calm sanctuary.
So sit down, grab a cup of tea and let’s get comfortable – Nancy’s home is so warm and inviting, her beautifully styled, natural and lived-in images make you want to stay a while and get cosy. Let’s begin the tour!
All images: Nancy Straughan
How are you feeling today – really?
Actually pretty good! I’ve decided to take a short break away from Instagram so I feel quite free! As I have a one year old I don’t get much time to do work as I look after her. I noticed Instagram was taking up a lot of my time so I’m having a wee break from it which feels nice and refreshing.
For those who don’t know you, can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you do?
I’m a stylist and photographer, I focus on creating imagery for small brands who tend to have an interiors focus. I also do interior styling for magazines and people’s homes. Alongside that, I do a bit of paid work on Instagram so I guess that makes me an influencer!
I also really enjoy teaching so I have a mentoring program for people who want to start their own creative businesses and I organise inspirational meet up events and seminars for anyone who is interested in leading a more creative life.
How has lockdown been for you – what has brought you comfort while you’ve been spending more time at home?
At first it was terrible! I let my anxiety control my actions and I did a lot of catastrophising. The things that kept me sane as a first time mum were all taken away (baby groups, lots of coffee with friends etc!) but I soon learnt how to adapt. My husband lost his job with no pay in mid March which was very stressful but I saw that as a gift in the end. We had three months of uninterrupted family time and we’ll treasure that forever.
Going for walks and collecting seasonal wild flowers and herbs to cook with has been amazing. I got back into running again too, I’m lucky that I live very near a narrow wooded valley so I can pretend I’m in the countryside on my runs.
When did you first become aware of the impact your surroundings can have on your mental health?
It was probably when I went to uni. Living away from home gave me the opportunity to finally grieve my dad’s death, he died when I was 15. I noticed how my bedroom became a sanctuary for me and the design was always very important.
How did your experience with panic disorder, anxiety and situational depression influence how you have decorated your home?
Over the years I’ve discovered what grounds me and I’ve brought that into my home. Walking in nature, listening to bird song and noticing the changes throughout the seasons always makes me feel less ill so I try to bring that indoors. Colour is really important, I find bright colours very stressful so I can’t have colourful homes!
What makes you feel most calm at home – is it a certain object or corner, or is it more an ambience or feeling you’ve created?
Definitely a general feeling of peace. Our bedroom is a good example of that, I walk in and go “aaaahhhhhh!”. Again, colour helps achieve that so I use a lot of sage greens, muted peach and warm wood. I use colours that I personally find calming. Plants help too!
What little rituals help you feel uplifted and inspired in your home?
Opening the windows, lighting a candle and making sure I have comfortable places to sit. I have quite a lot of little rituals to make me feel calm, I’m very routine based. Peggy’s routine (my daughter) really helps that too. It’s so good for me to have a loose structure everyday so I don’t feel out of control.
What’s the one thing (which isn’t a person or a pet) that you couldn’t live without in your home?
Books! I use them as an escape. We can go anywhere and be other people in books.
What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to create a calm, comforting space at home?
If you want to achieve a calm space you first have to note what makes you feel calm. Not everyone is the same so forget about the rules. Some people find white a calming colour while some find it sterile and cold. Notice what makes you feel at peace and bring that into your home.
Thank you so much for chatting to us and showing us around your beautiful soulful home Nancy! Finally, where can people find you online?
My website and blog is http://www.nancy-straughan.com/ and my Instagram is @nancy_straughan
