Love it when I get new collections in – it’s quite the opposite to opening up a present that falls short of expectations built up by its gorgeous wrapping paper.  The drab brown cardboard boxes completely belie the veritable treasure troves hidden within! It’s always such a pleasure opening them up and taking a bit of time to get to know the fabrics by design, colour and texture – wondering at how their designers come up with such pleasing new combinations.

I realised this morning that I have now been doing this wonderful job for almost thirty years…and it still gives such a thrill!

Here’s a little taster of the new Osborne and Little Collection Osborne and Little Spring 2013

…but if your taste is for something a little more traditional, try this one in Glengarry Castle…

…well, maybe the bird’s singing on this one!

How about this idea for giving a hotel bedroom a bit of a WOW factor without breaking the bank:

JBD’s remit from the owners of The Moorings Hotel was to create a room that would be suitable for honeymoon couples as well as twin bedders.

The wall mounted headboard looks just as good for both set-ups, while the canopy  - a panel of embroidered fabric slotted onto small brass poles and hung on hooks,  makes it a bit more special  - but can be removed in seconds and rolled up if not required.  The beds are zip and link.

Clever, eh? (Think I’m allowed a little quite-pleased-with-myself smile for that one)

Just have a look at this again and note (apart from the beautiful upholstery) the gorgeous rug  sourced and supplied by JBD to finish off this lovely little sitting room:

JBD sent out Virtual Sample Boards showing five options, like this CARPET OPTION 5, then two possibilities were sent on appro, absolutely free of charge,  and this one was selected.

Well, so good now, but this sofa has been through the mill to get here – a bit like a bad nose job that had to be completely redone…OUCH!

This was how it was first bought from a “reputable” furniture restorer:

Original Victorian Sofa

…who then “fully restored the sofa with new springing” before covering it in a very beautiful Bennison linen, bought by JBD for her client.

Imagine our HORROR when this came back!:

lower front edge - staples and fabric cut too short

front not attached to sides - pulls out

arm facings and cord loose

inside back - wobbles and no pattern matching

sofa front - wobbly cord, loose fabric

…and when my own trusty upholsterer came to the rescue…surprise, surprise!  The sofa  had had absolutely no internal work done at all – and I think a pet rabbit would have made a better job of the covering.  SO, of course the fabric had to be re-ordered and the whole job started again.  An expensive operation for JBD, and very frustrating for my patient clients, but worth the long haul to get there in the end…

Moral of the story – don’t believe your pet rabbit when she says she’s a professional upholsterer – even if she has a smart  website and glowing references from her long-eared friends.  Those kinds of rabbits are only fit for the stew pot.

Well, how happy am I – what a lovely start to what is looking like another incredibly busy year…check out the cover story feature in January’s Build It magazine http://www.self-build.co.uk/scots-waterside-home

Thank you to my lovely clients for their kind words!