Profile: Irene Chen and Matthew Grenby of Iomoi

The Chen cheat sheet

Restful reminders: "Elements of your house should always remind you of your last holiday. A quick way to achieve that feeling is to incorporate lovely linens, towels and bathrobes into your everyday routine. I have always loved Matouk's Egyptian cotton double-twisted terry towels in bright white." ( www.matouk.com)

Flower power: "Always incorporate fresh-cut flowers into your home! With our hectic work schedule and the kids riding their scooters around the house, it is impossible to keep the look of the rooms intact. A vase full of fresh-cut seasonal flowers in the main room of the house brings a sense of elegance and pulls the room together."

The Grenby cheat sheet

Write on: "If you are a parent or you are growing your own business - or both - then your time is probably in short supply. You don't have any time to give, and everybody wants more of it. A considerate handwritten note - from a humble, everyday card to the finest, engraved Smythson sheet - is the gift of your time and is appreciated as such by those who receive it."

On decorating: "Life is full of lemons. Lemonade is nice, but once in a while a good laugh is what we need to keep on keepin' on. Unexpected, and in moderation, a humorous accent piece - for example, the portrait of a smoking monkey in a guest bathroom - is a welcome addition to any personal space."