I’ve always hoped that I’ll be a mother one day. It’s something that I’ve always wanted and that I have discussed in detail with my partner. But over the last few years, I’ve noticed an increase in the noise around motherhood – and all of it is negative. From the cousin who has remarked that my fiancé and I “won’t be able to book all the nice holidays you have” once we have kids to the family member who repeatedly asks when we’ll leave our beloved one-bedroom flat as it’s “not big enough” for a baby, the message is clear. Motherhood will change your life – and not for the better.

While radical honesty can undoubtedly be a good thing, especially when it builds community and support networks, I feel like the stories we hear about motherhood have become increasingly negative. So in this week’s digital cover story, I set out to speak with 12 women about what they love about being a mum. Their illuminating responses range from how motherhood fostered a deeper connection with their partner to how it has helped them find a newfound sense of wonder in every day.⁠ Their stories are uplifting, exciting and reassuring – and an antidote to the noise.⁠

Susanne Norris,
Executive Digital Editor, Stylist

If there’s ever a moment to turn your attention to those tired corners of your home, it’s a bank holiday weekend. But don’t be tempted to spend your day off tomorrow attempting an ambitious DIY overhaul: the truth is, you don’t need a full renovation to make a space feel new again.

Often, the most effective home updates are surprisingly small. A switch in texture, a shift in colour or the addition of a single statement piece can be enough to completely change the feel of a room. With that in mind, we asked four interior design experts to share the easy-to-implement – and, crucially, budget-friendly – tweaks that make a big impact.