The Touchwood Project

As my Dad told me recently, I’m well on my way to the 14th century at the rate I’m going. Well nothing says medieval like spinning yarn, so today’s post is for the crafty types and wool lovers out there with whom I’d like to share my newest project: Orkney tweed yarns. Getting started with spinning When we moved to this house, our landlandy generously left behind her spinning wheel to use and it’s been… Read the rest of this article >>

Malcolm and I have devised a shorthand phrase to keep us on track with what we’re trying to do with Touchwood and our lives: “Less is more.” Less stuff is more fun, more happiness, more time and more money. It’s getting rid of the crap that’s cluttering up our brains and house and racking up debt and environmental damage so we have the time and money to do what we like doing. Today I came across a wonderful… Read the rest of this article >>

I’m thinking about beauty in design today, and how underrated yet essential it is. Something beautiful invites you in, welcomes you and uplifts you. Something ugly tells you to stay the hell away. Today I remembered that while searching for a place to learn aikido. A childhood dream Since I was a little girl, I’ve wanted to learn martial arts. I love Yimou Zhang’s films (Hero, House of Flying Daggers), Jackie… Read the rest of this article >>

The latest way we’ve been describing what we’re developing with Touchwood is a ’21st century, luxury Skara Brae’. For those who don’t know what Skara Brae is, it’s a Stone Age village that is a World Heritage site. The houses were at least partially underground, with connecting tunnels. This is a photo of one of several of the houses. You can see the (thought to be) box bed on the left, and stone dresser on the… Read the rest of this article >>