My interiors book, the Soft Minimalist Home – published today!

Today is a big deal for me because it’s publication day for my first book, The Soft Minimalist Home – Calm, Cosy Decor for Real Lives and Spaces.

It’s a dream come true – a moment that’s exciting, nerve-wracking and surreal all at the same time. I’ve always wanted to write a book, and specifically this book. Over 10 years of blogging and styling, I’ve come to appreciate the benefits of minimalist decor on our mood and wellbeing. But I’ve also found myself coming up against the same misconceptions – that minimalist spaces are stark, soulless and impractical – over and over again.

With this book, I want to dispel those myths and introduce a more relaxed approach to minimalism – one that’s warm, inviting and highly liveable. In it, I visit 15 real homes around the UK and Europe, exploring how a diverse range of people have designed pared-back spaces that are as individual as they are. Throughout, I hope to show that minimalism does not necessarily mean living with less, but rather freeing up space for the things that truly matter to us – whether that be an art collection, family heirlooms, a hobby or something else.

Every one of the places featured is beautiful, and I want the book to be the kind of thing you can leave out on display on your coffee table. But I also want it to be relevant and useful, so alongside the home tours you’ll find advice spreads with practical tips on how to use colour, layout, lighting, texture, natural elements, clever storage and considered displays to create interiors that celebrate your personality and style. And there’s a wide variety of property types – homes large and small, new and old, urban and rural, rented and owned, homes for single people, couples and families. Each one is unique, but together they demonstrate that minimalist interiors can be cosy, full of character and attainable for everyone, no matter what their budget or circumstances.  

I’m incredibly proud of the finished book, and I’m eternally grateful to the lovely people at Ryland Peters & Small for giving me the opportunity to bring it to life. The journey all began back in spring 2023, when I finally worked up the courage to send them the proposal that I’d been sitting on for ages. The ups and downs of freelance life meant my self-confidence was at an all time low at that point, and I wasn’t expecting so much as a reply. So as you can imagine, I was over the moon when the commissioning editor responded to say they were interested and, after a couple of meetings in London (I don’t think I’ve ever felt so nervous!), the deal was done.

Since then, it’s been a real labour of love, and an enormous amount of work has gone into the book behind the scenes. But I’ve enjoyed every step of the process, from teaming up with photographer Ben Edwards to writing the text to working with the wonderful editorial and design teams on the final pages. Above all, I’ve enjoyed visiting so many gorgeous homes and seeing how people have crafted beautiful spaces that reflect their stories and needs. I hope they inspire you as much as they inspired me – and encourage you to harness the power of soft minimalist decor for yourself. 

You can order a copy of the book here, or find links to retailers around the world here. I’m also holding a launch event at the Holloways of Ludlow flagship store in Bath on the evening of Wednesday 9th October, when I’ll be discussing the book and sharing advice over a few glasses of fizz. It’s free to attend, but please do RSVP if you’d like to come along.

Book photography by Benjamin Edwards for Ryland Peters & Small; styled flatlay images by Abi Dare