Wills's Profile

I have a similarly odd-shaped living room. A French-style marble-topped cafe table a couple of cafe chairs works very well in the pointy corner.

Woah! The opportunities for disaster here seem endless. Certainly covering with earth is a no-no, and I agree that a hidey-hole can attract all sorts of unwanted critters. Anyway, the whole point of a hobbit hole is it's the right size for a hobbit – and extremely comfortable. Roof a proper Wendy house with artificial lawn, maybe round out the windows, but don't take chances with safety when kids are concerned.

Concentrate your cash on getting the very best mattress you can and pick up a headboard on ebay or make it yourself. If it's the bed-base you love, look at timber on boxes.

Heaven on a stick.

Four-foot beds if there's room; try different positions with the air-beds till you're happy - at right angles gives more privacy than side by side. Foot to foot in an L shape containing an L shape of Expedits has real potential: depending on size, and position of door/window, it might offer a private dressing space you can use in turn. If space is tight, try an old-fashioned folding screen. Think about swapping living room and bedroom (which needs to be bigger)

The bookless, cultureless opulence of Gatsby's place has no appeal to me either. But is that cute little cottage where Nick is staying? I take it the music and book clutter is his too. That I could go for.

Yes you can make friends at any age. But start with practicalities. Don't ask "Do you want to hang out sometime?" That's clearly asking "Do you want to be my friend?" which anyone would hesitate over, for all the reasons you understand. But if you say, "I'm going to this exhibition", "I really like this comedian", "My boyfriend would hate this movie – would you be interested in coming with me?" then you both get to do something you want, and may learn more about each other. Key question then: "Do I like myself in this person's company?" If the answer's no, for whatever reason, let it go; if yes, do something else with them when the opportunity arises. Basically, develop yourself and you own interests as the best way to discover mini-soulmates (assuming the boyfriend is the real deal).

I think (off-) white walls are a great place to start. But when you're stuff is all in, and you're pretty settled, it's worth thinking what a coloured wall might do for you. I found one pale blue wall lifted the spirit of a seaside living room. I like the idea of a burnt orange but will probably never do it.

Assume you have absolutely nothing and plan to buy all furniture afresh. (IKEA is the sensible place to start as it's cheapest, well-designed and all on one website.) Do not buy. Print out list and see what you need not buy if you took something you already own (bed would be first pick if it's comfy; seating almost certainly not). Decide what you absolutely have to take with you on emotional and cut your shopping list down again. Sell everything else that you own. Put the money towards your new stuff (from IKEA or not). Embrace the change.

Go find "Lento" by Howard Skempton on YouTube.