Looking Through Windows

February 10, 2015 by Ray Morgan

Looking through windows

I'm going to confess something. I am a window snooper. It's not as creepy as you'd think! *puts binoculars away* I'm not talking about watching people undress or anything. This is about INTERIORS.

Yeah, you heard me. I'm an interiors perv. I have a 30 minute walk home from my office, and in the winter it gives me great joy to glance in on cosy homes around 6pm, and see what other people's homes look like. And it's not in a snarky way - I'm not going to slag someone off for having tacky wallpaper, or a generic quote on a canvas. I much prefer seeing the little things people apply to their homes and totally digging it.

Twice in the past month I have passed homes that have navy walls in their living rooms. Navy! That is some classy shizz! It's cosy and different and I shall file this idea in my head under "Things to do in my home when I own somewhere and am not a slave to landlords".

The other night I saw an older man sitting in a pinstriped living room where there was a GIGANTIC framed photo of, presumably, him and his wife totally killing it style-wise in the 80s. They both had massive hair and shoulder pads. It was vaguely soft-focused, and she had earrings to make Pat Butcher jealous. The photo was enormous and personal and beautiful.

I must admit, I take great pride when someone says they like the decor at my house. It's rented, so it has little quirks like net curtains in the kitchen with kittens on, and flamingo tiles in the bathroom, but I actually love those little oddities. I've put my stamp on the place too, with framed movie posters (yes, framed, I'm in my 30s now), a big fish draught excluder and the giant plastic puffin that used to be in the children's section of long-departed Leigh bookshop Grindley's.

I have a friend who is an interior designer and her home is full of amazing things. A fibreglass clown face from Southend Kursaal. A Virgin Mary statue adorned with plastic jewellery. A G-Plan sideboard that looks as though it can hold a million belongings. It's an extension of someone's personality, isn't it, the way they decorate their home?

My parents' house is beautiful. I'm biased, but listen anyway. They took a sharp right out of the 90s and left chintzville behind, pursuing a retreat-like decor style of white linen, driftwood, pebbles and wooden furniture painted white. It's like a Nancy Meyers movie at their place. It's cool and calm and thoughtful, just like them.

I'm not interested in your personal life, or undies drying on an airer, but I do love looking at your decor. It's inspiring and gives a literal and figurative window into your life. Don't worry though; I don't linger too long.

My top five things that give a home character:

1. BOOKS. Oh god the books. Don't be offended if when I come to your home, I spend a good 30 minutes perusing your shelves.
2. Comedy cushions. Amusing and functional. My fave cushion is of a pug's face, approximately 50 times the size of a real pug's face.
3. Paintings by people you know. I am guessing we all know SOMEONE who can paint. Having their work up is so much nicer than a generic print.
4. Candles. All the candles. Pillars, tealights, glass jars... beaut.
5. At least one embarrassing photo of you as a child. It has to be done :)