Hi, and thanks for dropping by!
I’m Abi Dare, a blogger, photographer, stylist, writer, minimalist and scented-candle addict… I live in the beautiful city of Bristol (UK) with my husband Chris and Loki, our Siamese-cross rescue cat, and I set up These Four Walls in 2014 to share inspiration for simple, relaxed living at home and beyond.
I’ve been passionate about interiors for as long as I can remember, and my parents often used to come home from work when I was a teenager to discover I’d rearranged all the furniture while they were out! I’ve also always had a love of travel – particularly Scandinavia, which I first visited on a school exchange at the age of 14; Spain, France, Italy and Portugal, where I’ve spent a lot of time over the years (including stints living in Paris and Barcelona as a student); and Canada, where my dad’s family comes from.
This blog is where my various interests come together, and you’ll find everything from home tours and design advice to tips and inspiration from my travels. Underpinning everything are my beliefs that good design is as much about wellbeing and mood as aesthetics, and that we should all take time to savour those little moments of simplicity and serenity that make daily life more enjoyable. I’m also a strong advocate of slow, considered design, and looking beyond trends to create a timeless home that works for you, your lifestyle and the planet.
I’d describe my own style as ‘soft minimalism’ – pared-back and clutter-free, but at the same time warm and inviting. I also have a penchant for calming, muted colours (partly because I have a condition called synaesthesia, which you can read about here), and I’m always drawn towards understated, Scandinavian-inspired design. I’ve even written a book about it, The Soft Minimalist Home – calm, cozy decor for real lives and spaces, which you can order here.
Please take a look around, and do get in touch on thesefourwallsblog@gmail.com if you have any feedback or suggestions. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter for more design, travel and lifestyle inspiration delivered straight to your inbox.
Abi x
