Fearne Cotton on why she'll never embrace minimalism

Home is a subject that is incredibly important to me as it really is my happy place. Home is the womb. It's safety and comfort and our hideaways from the velocity of the modern world. We want our homes to be a retreat and a place to recalibrate when life feels too much. 

As we all know, there are no guarantees when it comes to homes; there's often the chaos of family life, pet hair, washing machines breaking, damp on walls, food stains on sofa's, yet there are elements we can control and parts of the home that we have beautiful agency over. 

My husband often refers to me as a Bower bird. Ever watched one in action on a wildlife documentary? If not, imagine me with wings and a beak going about my nest filling it with shiny objects and attractive sticks. I love to potter, I'm more potter than Harry! I could spend a whole day moving objects about, re-painting old furniture and arranging wild flowers and sprigs in vases. HEAVEN! I'm constantly looking for that equilibrium and harmony in the home. 

One of my favourite happy items is a blue double layered shelving unit which I got for a steal on eBay. It's bright and slightly weathered looking, has six individual compartments and is the perfect place for me to put precious things. So far there are shells the kids found on the beach in Dorset, my favourite natural roll on oil, some incense, a little photo of Honey that her teacher laminated on her last day of reception and a candle that smells of grass. Whenever I look at it I beam. A happy home isn't one full of super-spenny items, or show-home-styled accessories, it's one of memories. I want my home to be a museum of reminders of all of my favourite things, places and people. 

My new shelving unit very much a shrine to all that love and I look forward to filling it more over the coming months. It's in the kitchen where I spend most of my time so is a constant source of good vibes. Fill your home with objects that spark joyful memories. To me that means a very happy home.