Shirlie Kemp's home truths – her homeware addiction and the household chore she adores

I go into my kitchen, look at all my dogs and make a cup of tea. I'm a tea addict!

My garden. And my bed.

I like vintage. I like antiques shops. I love antiquing. And I also love interiors shops. There's a really nice one in Old Amersham called Su Chases. I like Zara Home, H&M Home and John Lewis… I buy stuff from everywhere, really. Fenwick sometimes has nice little bits and bobs and Neptune is a good all-rounder. But whenever I go abroad, I go to the South of France – I really love the homewares there. I'm always buying cutlery, plates and glasses.

Maybe tablecloths. I think it's a connection to my mum. In our house, we always had Sunday tea, and it was the only day of the week my mum would put a tablecloth on the table. I got such a benefit from that, putting out a fresh tablecloth – it's like a duvet, isn't it?

This is going to be odd. I dread ironing, but then when I start doing it, it's quite meditative. It really quietens my brain and I take it as a metaphor for ironing problems out. It makes me think when I iron. Even when I'm ironing Martin's things, I'm thinking about the intention of putting love into it. I don't like ironing, but when I'm doing it, there's a lot of bright emotions that go into it.

We've done a lot of DIY. My dad was a builder and when I was 15, I worked for him as a labourer. I used to mix up cement, use the cement mixer, stack up his bricks. So I did lots of little bits and pieces. I do like a drill. I think a drill is a bit addictive, once you start looking round thinking, what can I drill? I like DIY, but I've also learnt it is much better to pay someone who's really good to do it!

Flowers and candles. I always have flowers, and scented candles. I can't wait to get home and put out a lovely vase of flowers and get the candles on. And tea!