“Would you like some coffee?”

“No, thanks – really shouldn’t, as I have to get down to Kilberry”….two hours later I left Kilmelfort, having just “popped in” to collect a chair.  And what kept me so long?  Well, have a look at these:

You might recognise the Peploe, which last year sold for £500,000 – this copy, which Rory did from a small art book, he is selling for £500! His studio, which smells as gorgeous as it looks (linseed and turps and work in progress), is crammed full of his paintings in every genre imaginable…and here’s the punchline – he picked up his first paintbrush only five years ago!  I’ve been lucky enough to be able to commission from him  before and am hoping to find many more walls to hang his work.  If you want to see more, do go direct to his website www.rocagi.co.uk – it’s a joy!  Better still, pop down and see him, or email a photograph you want painted – or just give him the name of an artist/painting you’d like copied…

This turned out to be rather a neat way of dealing with a not very attractive cloakroom window.  As there was no view, the glass being “obscured”, we had fun dressing it up and making those necessary five minutes in what was previously a very utilitarian space much more pleasurable!  You can see it is a very long, high and narrow room, so we overcame the awkward proportions by adding a dado and using a smart gold and cream stripe paper beneath, with the co-ordinating plain gold above.  Another occasion when I wish I’d taken a “before” photo….

Just finished the last guest bedroom in this house -  for lovely clients with whom I’ve worked very happily for years.  Because the fabric is so wonderful, it seemed right that the pelmet should be flat in order to show it off in all its glory – see how the reds and greens reflect the fantastic foliage in the garden…

Guest Bedroom Curtains and Pelmet

Pelmet detail

I enjoyed returning here, having done the curtains from top to toe about 10 years ago…still looking fabulous!  This time it was the furniture that needed attention.  I’m glad I took the camera, as my upholsterers have worked their usual brilliant magic.  It’s very rewarding working with such fine craftsmen…

re-upholstered chair

re-upholstered sofa

A happy day’s fitting in a gorgeous new house that sits so beautifully in the glen….a credit to the architect. The challenge with the Roman blinds was fitting them at inward-opening windows, so they all had to be fitted outside the recesses and topped with fabric covered fascias to give a smart finish.

Ground Floor Guest Bedroom Curtains

Kitchen Blind and Dining Room Curtains

Curtains on pole around Drawing Room bay window

Roman Blind and covered fascia in Bathroom

Guest Bathroom Roman Blind