Looking for Like Minded Housemate type Lodger

I’m looking for someone to share my home who’d enjoy being part of it, rather than simply renting a room. If you’re after a warm, friendly home where you can happily spend all your time in your room that’s absolutely fine, but if you’d enjoy the occasional cup of tea, shared meal, film night or chat in the garden, then we’ll probably get on well.

A little about me…

I’m a children’s book illustrator working from home, and creativity fills the house. There are books everywhere, far too many houseplants, and I’m happiest with muddy hands in the garden. I keep a clean, tidy, cosy home that’s somewhere to relax rather than just somewhere to sleep.

I’ve spent much of the last decade travelling and living communally around Europe, Africa and Southeast Asia. My son and I home educated and travelled together, living in hostels, permaculture projects and shared homes before eventually settling back in England. Some of the people I’ve shared homes with have become lifelong friends, and that’s shaped how I think a home should feel. I genuinely believe we’re not meant to live isolated lives.

My son has now flown the nest, so it seems a shame to have this lovely house all to myself.

The room is beautifully decorated with a very comfortable mattress and plenty of storage. The house has a lovely garden, and if gardening is your thing, you’re very welcome to get involved. I also have an allotment, and you’d be welcome to have your own little patch to grow whatever you’d like.

I’m currently putting together an outdoor cinema with a projector onto the side of the house, so hopefully there’ll be plenty of relaxed film nights once that’s finished.

I have a lovely old dog who’s 13. She’s incredibly gentle, very well behaved and adores women. Apart from giving the postman a couple of barks once in a while, you’d barely know she’s there.

A few practical bits:
• I work from home, so during the day I do need some uninterrupted working time, particularly in the living room where my studio is.
• I’m pescatarian and I’d prefer not to have meat cooked in the house.
• The house is in a peaceful village around 20 minutes from Stansted Airport.
• There’s a gym just down the road.
• You’ll really need your own transport, as public transport here isn’t great.

Most importantly, I’m looking for someone kind, considerate, easy to live with and happy to respect each other’s space while also enjoying the fact that we’re sharing a home.

If we end up becoming friends, that would be the ideal outcome. If not, that’s absolutely fine too, as long as we both enjoy living together and help make the house feel like a welcoming place to come home to.