Next up in my ‘ladies doing it there way‘ series is the fabulous Sandra Baker. How to introduce Sandra? I just love her. We became friends on a Boden facebook page when our oldest babies were tiny and have been friends ever since. I have loved watching her Instagram account grow over the years and her home is just simply stunning. If I dared to go dark in my interiors I would want it just like Sandra’s. She is kind, witty, and altogether a good ‘un. If you don’t already follow her Instagram account (@the_idle_hands) where have you been? You’ll love it I promise. Serious inspiration. I mean her House of Hackney wallpaper is to die for.
Tell me a bit about yourself
Hello! I’m Sandra, I’m 42, I live near Ilkley in West Yorkshire, with my husband Chris and daughters Kitty and Polly. I’ve been a Commercial Litigation solicitor for nearly 20 years (writing that makes me feel a bit sick) and now work in-house in a large healthcare organisation. I’m not entirely sure how this happened, as it feels like 2 minutes ago I was doing my A-Levels, having to fill in University applications, and putting “law” because it seemed as good an idea as anything else. In my spare time, I love interiors and have an interiors-based Instagram account @the_idle_hands, which features my home.
Where did your love of interiors come from? I love your eclectic home and wonder where you get your inspiration from?
I’ve always cared about my surroundings, as far back as I remember. I remember wanting to change my bedroom décor when I was 14, and choosing the paint colour, wallpaper and curtains, and framing up some gorgeous artwork (alongside 4000 pictures of Morrissey and The Cure!). Completely changing up the look of the room gave me butterflies in my tummy, I found it really exciting and loved the feeling of having chosen my own décor, and living in it. That feeling has never really gone away. Everywhere I’ve lived, I’ve made as nice as I possibly could, whatever the circumstances. Even in my Uni house, I took down the bedroom curtains and put up some I’d bought in a charity shop, and added shelving and framed pictures and nice bedding. It makes me happy!
As for inspiration, I’ve always gone from the heart. It’s the only way. When we bought our first “proper” house in 2003 (after I’d been in numerous dodgy houseshares and flats), I picked up a copy of Living Etc and was hugely inspired by the décor I saw in it – it was different from the norm and I loved it. That copy became so dog-eared! I immediately subscribed and still haven’t cancelled it. Through that, and later by following blogs on the internet, and most recently joining Instagram, my eyes are constantly opened to new and exciting décor ideas and styles. When they make my heart skip a beat, I know I’m on the right track.
Your Instagram account has done so well, why do you think this is? Any tips or tricks?
There’s no-one more surprised than me about this fact! It was a complete accident! I started out on Instagram mainly following fashion accounts, and posting pics of my latest frilly blouse, or daft stuff that made me laugh. I was completely unaware of the interiors side of it until I’d been on there a year or two, and I slowly began seeing interiors based accounts, and thinking “oooh!”. So I joined in, and as it evolved, I took tips from the experts (in my case, Lisa Dawson (@_lisa_dawson_) and Katie Woods @comedowntothewoods) which included:
a). Using all 30 hashtags available to you, and varying them each time – each hashtag makes it more likely that someone will see your post amongst the millions out there;
b) Posting regularly (for me, at least 4-5 times a week, some do daily), and at the same time each day – something to do with algorithms, I don’t understand it, I just do it!
c) Interacting with people – reply to your comments, have a chat with others on their posts, find some pals. Have fun!
Where are your favourite places to buy your interiors from and why?
I buy from all over the place, I adore Anthropologie, Rockett St George and Oliver Bonas, purely for the gorgeousness of their products. Instagram has also introduced me to some great small indie businesses, producing gorgeous products, and I may otherwise never have come across them, so God bless Instagram! I bought my sofas from @lifeatlivingroom via Instagram, and have recently come across great female artists like Flo Lee (@florenceleeandco), Sian Jordan (@sian_jordan_designs) and Helene Delmaire (@helenedelmaire), all of whose work now has a place in my home.
I’m intrigued by peoples morning routines and how they set themselves up for the day. What is your breakfast/morning routine?
Oh, it’s awful. It’s chaos. Chris leaves the house for work at the crack of dawn, so it’s always just been me and the kids. I’ve gone from them both being up and at ’em, screeching at me from 5am to having to drag them out of bed most mornings. I have to chivvy Polly constantly for every little thing – every item she has to put on, teeth, hairbrushing, school bags, school shoes (always lost, always). Breakfast for the girls is rushed, I don’t eat until I get to work. We leave the house under mountains of bags, I drop them off, and drive to work (or come back home, I work at home a lot). I dream of a relaxed morning of sauntering downstairs, eating a healthy breakfast all together, bags for the day all packed and ready by the front door. It doesn’t happen. I need to find a new dream.
In the last 5 years what new belief, habit or behaviour has most improved your life?
I’ve grown up as a people pleaser and would always do things I didn’t want to do, because other people would be unhappy if I didn’t, or because it was the path of least resistance. I don’t do that any more. I’ve learned that my opinions are valid, that it’s ok to do things, or not do them, because I want to. I wish I’d learned it 20 years ago, but maybe these things come with age and experience.
What impact do you want to have on the world?
When I was younger, I’d have made up an answer I didn’t really mean, because I thought I should sound ambitious or clever (people pleasing again). The truth is, the only impact I care about is the one I’ve had on my family and friends. I’m not a leader, not an alpha personality, not desperate to climb the career ladder, or for the world to know my name, and that’s okay. I just want to know I’ve led a happy life, and been a good egg to the people around me.
What do you wish you could tell your younger self?
Don’t be a people pleaser (haha!)! Really think about what you WANT to do with your life. How do you want it to look and feel? Will your career choice make you happy? Do you want time or money (both would be ideal, obviously, but I’m a realist). Are you surrounded by good people? Have confidence in yourself, your thoughts and opinions – they are valid. Say no. Say f*** off, if you want! Don’t put up with people’s nonsense. I really want my daughters to know these things. I really do wish my younger self had known them.
Shelley x
