20 Quotes by Michelle Ogundehin

To gather together around a table – the ultimate symbol of communion – is the only truly authentic way to properly prioritise the ritual of eating.

No amount of fancy decor will make the slightest bit of difference to your ability to sleep soundly if you do not take heed of what you do before you get anywhere near your bedroom. Only once this has been addressed, can this room become one of your most powerful allies in pursuit of wellbeing, happiness and good health.

The pleasure of a freshly-dressed bed is one of the finer things in life, and yet many stumble here, not sure what can go with what, or whether it's okay to mismatch pillows and duvet cover. The simple answer to this is that anything goes.

What is gardening but tidying and maintaining an outside space? And yet we don't think of it as a chore; we see it as a pleasure and something that relaxes us. Crucially, it is something that often fully absorbs us while we do it. This is the very definition of a mindful activity.

Lights are the jewellery of the home, so think of pendants as finishing-touch earrings for a room.

A house is never empty with a pet in situ, nor is an owner alone – a pet provides security, companionship and affection too.

Home-making is not frivolous, it is absolutely fundamental to good health and happiness.

Nothing makes me sadder than seeing pristine children's rooms decorated in the same style as the rest of the adult home – it's as if the children are not really allowed to exist.

Looking at a plain wall is akin to staring blankly into space. We have a fundamental need for visual nourishment and stimulation in our homes, for our eyes to dance lightly over surfaces and not find them wanting.