Rebecca Roe
Creative Director, Hedgeroe Home

During lockdown, I did the things I always complained I never had time to do, from picking up a pencil and learning drawing again to cooking and gardening. I feel I could now never really go back to the way things were before. Just before lockdown I was halfway round the world beginning the first leg of my long-awaited honeymoon travelling around Japan. More than anything I was looking forward to spending time with my husband Fred, as we both had busy work schedules. Though we were disappointed to make the stressful decision to cut our honeymoon short and return home, we looked forward to having some time together working at home. Far from finding it difficult with us both working from the shared kitchen table, we have used the extra time to take up new hobbies. Fred really excelled, spending his evenings carefully studying recipes and baking the most wonderful treats. I spent my evenings getting back to the things I love, especially gardening. I have always been a ‘land girl’, a passion gifted to me by my late grandmother. I started sharing some videos of my flower arranging, something I have always loved doing but had never felt confident enough to publish. In difficult times I think it is important to share what makes you happy in the hope it will inspire others. This time has been a challenging for everyone in lots of different ways, but we have all shown resilience and determination. I hope we have all learned to enjoy a slower place of life, no one will exit this pandemic unchanged.

Emma Kelly
Managing Director, Elevate PR

Lockdown was a bit longer for me as I broke my ankle six weeks before it started. There were some silver linings, including quality family time. My husband was working abroad last year and we only got to see him once a month for a few days so it has been lovely having him around 24/7. We have sorted out the house, filled skips, gave away furniture, books, toys and clothes, baked and cooked. I also finally organised all my photos that are stored in the cloud and got albums printed up. Lots of things that have been on the long finger for many years. Having worked straight since I left college with very minimalist maternity leaves, I have really enjoyed the slowdown and time for reflection. It feels like a reset and revaluation of our core values as human beings. Your health really is your wealth, and the true heroes are the frontline workers. We can all only live in the present. I predict a move away from conspicuous consumption, to shorter supply chains, and a championing of local artisans. One major highlight was sorting out our ‘room of doom,’ the spare/junk/store/playroom, and making a nice home office. I never wanted or needed one before as I have always tried to keep home and work life separate. Now I have a nice one that everyone is using at various times of the day and week, the teenagers to study, my youngest to play and me to work, it is also doubling up as a home gym where we have dusted off weights and added some basic equipment.

Rachel Morgans
Buying Director for Home and Living, Brown Thomas and Arnotts

My Dublin apartment is not strictly home (Morgans usually lives between both Dublin and London). Home is a place that reflects my husband and my journey together. We don’t take decorating too seriously. We collect objects and quirky things. My mother-in-law introduced me to antique furniture markets and our furniture is a mix: we have a dining table made from a worn and weathered door, painted French armoires and modern pieces like the Kartell and BoConcept dining chairs and my favourite, a Jamie Hayon Ro chair. If I had my way, I’d add a new Normann Copenhagen modular sofa in a great colour.