Amelia interviewed for House & Garden
We return to Amelia’s reflections on the growing practice of nesting, where divorced parents rotate living in the family home where children remain. With her thoughtful approach, Amelia shows how clever, human-centred design can ease tension, foster harmony, and create a sense of comfort for both parents and children during times of transition.
She challenges the idea that bigger is better, suggesting that smaller, cosier sleeping spaces often provide greater psychological comfort. Instead of the parent being confined to the main bedroom, she proposes creative spatial solutions to divide existing rooms without sacrificing light. Adding mezzanine levels can create multi-functional spaces, while introducing en-suite bathrooms into larger rooms can create privacy.
Image of the article on House & Garden online.
She also stresses that household arrangements should reduce conflict by minimising shared friction points. For example, she even suggests installing separate dishwashers, thereby avoiding domestic disputes over chores like plate stacking, which can reignite old arguments.
Beyond physical reconfiguration, Amelia emphasises the psychological and emotional power of objects within the home. She notes that belongings carry strong associations with both positive and negative memories. For separated families, she recommends establishing rituals of decluttering and reassigning items both as a way of honouring the past and as a step toward building a new future together.
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