This much I know...

I always want to read these sort of posts when other people write them. So here, for better or worse, is some of what I've learnt after five decades on this planet. Some interior design, some life.

I thought you might enjoy this as a (UK) bank holiday read. It’s the kind of piece I would usually reserve for subscribers, but I thought I’d leave it for everyone to give you an idea of the sort of things I write about and give you a taster. If you want to become a paying subscriber I would be thrilled. You can do that here, either monthly or annually.

Now this post: it’s not a conversation with my younger self, as she would: a) regard that as unbelievably patronising; b) couldn’t have imagined ever being as old as this; and c) be horrified that she will ever stop dancing on bars in Paris cafés. (Cafe Pacifico in Blvd Montparnasse, since you ask). On the other hand she probably wouldn’t have imagined going on a zipwire with grey hair, either. And no, I won’t be doing it again.

Yes it me - see no 18

Nor am I going to do a 50 Things I Know at 50 post, because: a) I’m older than that; and b) who can remember 50 different things in light of a)?

So here goes, in no particular order; rather as I thought of them. Although it’s not hard to see that the first one was sparked on the bus on the way to a Monday morning meeting.

1. Do not, under any circumstances, start both a new diet and exercise regime on the same day. Pick the one you can feel most enthusiastic about and then, in a couple of weeks when you’ve got into the swing of it, add the other one.

2. Red lipstick really is a genius product. Hides a hangover, freshens up a tired face, makes teeth look whiter and generally is a bit of a miracle. I wish I’d been brave enough to wear it sooner. My favourite is Power by Merit, but find yours and buy one for every handbag.

Merit Lipstick in Power

3. For every Gen-Xer out there. Fat is not the enemy. Yes I know they told us it was. They were wrong. Better to eat a small amount of a real cheese or proper yoghurt than a highly processed sugar-free version. Good fats make you feel more full and less cross.

4. The real enemy is sugar.

5. A successful room is having a conversation; think of it as a party – only one person should be shouting at a time. Otherwise it’s a row. And it’s perfectly normal for one couple to be whispering in a corner and for someone else to be throwing shapes by the buffet.

Beata Heuman’s studio at 188 Hammersmith Road

6. Always groom your eyebrows. This is another thing I learned late. A bit of colour brushed through works miracles to enlarge the eyes, wake the face and make you look more together. I like the Beauty Pie Arch-ology ones.

7. Some friendships are not meant to last forever. Years ago when waitressing in Paris, one of the girls I worked and socialised with told me she was leaving. I asked her to stay in touch. She said no. I was devastated. She said: “We had a moment, think of it as a perfect bubble that will never break but that will stay with you forever.” She was right. Sometimes a friendship is a moment in time. You each bring and take what you need at that point and move on. I think of her often but only good things.

8. Lying on the sofa in a patch of sunlight with a drink, a book and a pen and paper and knowing you have nothing to do and nowhere to be is one of life’s greatest pleasures. NB: for best results unload the dishwasher first.

9. A great pair of shoes will make you happy. But first they may give you blisters.

10. You will probably only ever be at your ideal weight for 10 minutes at a time. Your happy weight, however, is about 7lbs over that. It doesn’t show to anyone other than you and is easy to maintain. Have the roast potato.

11. True love is unconditional. You won’t always find it where you were expecting it but you will know it when you meet it.

12. You can’t stretch shoes lengthways but you can wear them with wet socks and that will help with all the other squeezy bits. I was told this by a someone who works with leather for lampshades and furniture and needs to stretch it to create shapes.

13. For both rooms and outfits add something unexpected to create the wow factor. I had a 6ft-tall brass palm tree lamp in my old sitting room. Everything else was quite plain. Those of you who read my interview with Lucinda Chambers will know that a pair of gold or silver shoes will elevate the most sober of outfits. Also stripy socks. I once met a very cool woman at the Hema factory in Amsterdam – she was dressed in all black from head to toe with a pair red and white striped ankle socks. Looked amazing.

14. Once you have got used to 70% dark chocolate you won’t go back. It will feel indulgent and you physically can’t eat too much of it.

15. See 14 but for induction hobs. They take a bit of getting used to and then they are brilliant. You will wonder why you stuck to gas for so long.

My Smeg induction range

16. There is huge pleasure to be found in making something. Find your thing - knitting, sewing, picture framing, picture painting, photography.

17. Always go one step further than you thought you wanted to. This applies to paint colour and clothes. No good ever came of sitting in your comfort zone. I know this. I did a zip wire. That was about 47 steps further that I wanted to go but I felt like Top Gun afterwards.

Seen below with fellow intrepid zippers Melanie Lissack (writes a brilliant blog) Claudia Baillie (freelance interiors writer) and Pip Rich (editor of Livingetc – believe me when I say this is not the natural habitat of the design writer).

18. If it has a place to live it’s not clutter. This is an actual fact.

19. If there are more than three then it’s a collection.

20. If in doubt add a stripe. Works for for wardrobes and rooms.

my striped sofa - wave by Schumacher with plain linen curtains (waiting for no 25)

21. In cities, look up. Everywhere else, look around – restaurant loos, street fashion, shop windows, paintings and museums. Especially at paintings of rooms in museums. Inspiration is everywhere. Turn your light on: an expression my friend uses meaning to be like a taxi, mentally open for business and receptive to new ideas.

22. Think of age as levels. Much more accomplished to have reached level 58 than level 34.

23. Learn to say No. It has taken me decades but I’m getting there.

24. A great notebook and a good pen is the best present to both give and receive.

25. Customising high street cushions and curtains is a great way to create something that looks more high end and expensive, not to mention different from everyone else’s. Great places to buy trimmings include Samuel & Sons (expensive but gorgeous), VV Rouleaux (online but also real life shop in London), the Haines Collection for designer products at cut prices (also saving the planet through leftovers) and Dunelm (seriously check it out).

I also know a lot about interior design. If you’re reading this you’re probably already a subscriber. Thank you. Paid subscribers: don’t forget to dig into the archive for more – and do share or gift a friend who you think will also enjoy reading these pages.

Please let me know some things that you know in the comments. At this stage we all need all the help we can get.