I've been a busy interior designer for 25 years now and have accounts with most of the fabric, wallpaper and lighting companies.
Increasingly, clients are online-savvy and know they can order online at a discount. Indeed, they are even doing their own sourcing which saves me time and sometimes throws up gorgeous new products and designs I didn't consider!
There will always be clients who don't/won't/can't order online, and would rather pay RRP to have a professional to advise and supply the whole job. However, if you're one of the growing millions who want to put in the leg-work to find a bargain, I'm happy to help!
Please email me with any requirement and I'll reply quickly with a quote. I can check and reserve stock, order samples and send you an online payment request with a simple secure payment button.
As soon as you pay, your items will leave the supplier and be on their way to you or your curtain maker.
I deal with all the well known interior companies and I usually reply within minutes to quote and order requests. I can also help calculate fabric quantities if required.
Fabrics are delivered direct from the supplier, or can be sent for treatment to BSI fire safety regs for upholstery. Please indicate use and request quote for this.
Please email me here QUOTE with your requirements :)
Wednesday 11 November 2015
Wednesday 25 April 2012
Getting through this 'English drought'.....
While the rain beats down in the UK today, I thought I'd give us some eye candy to buck up the spirits. (Do try and be happy for the owners of these lovely pools!)
I remembered this house where the beautiful indoor/outdoor pool was tucked underneath a first floor balcony. Ceiling to floor folding doors run the whole length of the room so when rolled back the pool becomes part of the walled patio area. All white walls, tiles, tree planters and furniture provide a sleek canvass for the pink lights and blue water. Comfy sofas and a plasma TV make this incredible area the ultimate entertainment and dining space. You're probably wondering what happens to the plasma screen if it rains. Well, the staff bring it in.
Another long, sleek pool, this time partly covered by the overhang, but with the same ceiling to floor doors which brings the pool right up to the kitchen and dining area. Concrete slabs at each end of the pool provide walk-overs so the pool can run the entire length of the house.
I love this transformation of a 1970's bungalow into a 21st century dream house using glass, concrete and cedar. Fake grass keeps the space immaculate all year and softens the hard stone and wood.
The trend for long narrow pools makes it possible to fit a pool into the smallest area
Or perhaps a sunken hot tub set into stone if space is really tight. Panels slide back from this bedroom to link the bedroom with the garden for that emergency morning plunge.
Now for some overseas properties which enjoy more sunshine hours than is really necessary .....
Size isn't everything. Here a tiny plunge pool provides a welcome break when you get bored of gazing at that glorious view through the glass wall
A four poster bed was easily converted into a sun deck, nestled into the corner of a Spanish garden and enjoying the sound of water trickling into the plunge pool.
The hills of Kalkan in Turkey lend themselves perfectly to infinity pools, and they have become a must-have to almost all the new villas.
The winter ski-season extends into a summer paradise with the addition of this refreshing pool enjoying stunning views over the mountains of Morzine.
A tiny Tuscan retreat with covered dining area. All white curtains and cushions and the addition of wooden decking around the pool have turned this traditional stone cottage into a stylish contemporary retreat
OK, you can take things too far. I just see danger all over this!
Drinking .... slippy floors ... crawling babies ...and how would you let the dog out?
Maybe a Mr & Mrs Smith retreat for sensible people :/
So, all my UK friends, I hope you feel happy and uplifted now! Just turn the fire up, grab that blanket and a good book and don't look out the window!
I remembered this house where the beautiful indoor/outdoor pool was tucked underneath a first floor balcony. Ceiling to floor folding doors run the whole length of the room so when rolled back the pool becomes part of the walled patio area. All white walls, tiles, tree planters and furniture provide a sleek canvass for the pink lights and blue water. Comfy sofas and a plasma TV make this incredible area the ultimate entertainment and dining space. You're probably wondering what happens to the plasma screen if it rains. Well, the staff bring it in.
Another long, sleek pool, this time partly covered by the overhang, but with the same ceiling to floor doors which brings the pool right up to the kitchen and dining area. Concrete slabs at each end of the pool provide walk-overs so the pool can run the entire length of the house.
I love this transformation of a 1970's bungalow into a 21st century dream house using glass, concrete and cedar. Fake grass keeps the space immaculate all year and softens the hard stone and wood.
The trend for long narrow pools makes it possible to fit a pool into the smallest area
Now for some overseas properties which enjoy more sunshine hours than is really necessary .....
Size isn't everything. Here a tiny plunge pool provides a welcome break when you get bored of gazing at that glorious view through the glass wall
A four poster bed was easily converted into a sun deck, nestled into the corner of a Spanish garden and enjoying the sound of water trickling into the plunge pool.
The hills of Kalkan in Turkey lend themselves perfectly to infinity pools, and they have become a must-have to almost all the new villas.
The winter ski-season extends into a summer paradise with the addition of this refreshing pool enjoying stunning views over the mountains of Morzine.
A tiny Tuscan retreat with covered dining area. All white curtains and cushions and the addition of wooden decking around the pool have turned this traditional stone cottage into a stylish contemporary retreat
OK, you can take things too far. I just see danger all over this!
Drinking .... slippy floors ... crawling babies ...and how would you let the dog out?
Maybe a Mr & Mrs Smith retreat for sensible people :/
So, all my UK friends, I hope you feel happy and uplifted now! Just turn the fire up, grab that blanket and a good book and don't look out the window!
Tuesday 24 April 2012
Favorite poles and curtain heading....
I love these totally unique curtain poles - they come in a huge choice of textures, colours and designs. The poles can be leather or suede wrapped, and the curtains sweep effortlessly along on smooth gliders.
There's a fabulous choice of finials - I especially love the glass oval balls - you can pick and choose your colour combinations.
The finials and pole can pick up on the textures and colours in your fabric and elsewhere in your room.
Instead of pinch pleat or eyelets, I like to use these studs to form neat even pleats. Again, they come in a huge choice of finishes and colours.
If you would like a no-obligation quote or to know more, just call on 07801 999975 or email me with your measurements and colour preferences
Monday 16 April 2012
A Very English Bedroom-cum-Study
A dear friend and client has asked me to update her son's bedroom.
At 21 years old, 6'2" tall and reading law at University, he had finally called time on his boyhood bedroom - not least the single bed over which his feet hung and pale blue curtains covered in drawings of footballs!
I took the brief from his rather panicky mum, just days before he was due home for the Easter holidays! She wanted the room to be transformed into a warm, cosy grown-up bedroom-cum-study, and asked for rich deep colours - mainly browns and reds. A 5' bed was a must-have.
I emailed her the scheme and spreadsheet last week and it's all systems go! They both loved the scheme, which I created on Powerpoint and could be emailed back and forth a few times before finalising, along with cuttings of all the fabrics and full costings on an Excel spreadsheet.
The side lifting bed base gives loads of extra storage - especially for big items like cricket bags and ski gear. The bed base will be covered in a fabric that looks just like distressed leather - so there's no need for a bed valance which would just get tangled up when the bed is lifted & lowered. The oversize headboard will also be in the faux leather. It's from Carlucci (JAB) CA1038/021 £53.55 per m
I've chosen a smart ticking stripe wallpaper from Designers Guild (P586/01/C)
£35 per 10m roll
The cushions on the bed will be 30 x 50cm oblongs, using (L) Ralf Lauren FRL132/01/C
£40 per m and (R) William Yeoward FW118/03/C £59 per m
Finally, the lined and interlined curtains and blinds will be made from 100% wool check from James Brindley 2018/02 £70 per m, and hung from a heavy dark oak curtain pole.
To complete the look the fitted wardrobe and cupboards will be repainted, using Farrow & Ball's London Stone, and the doorhandles replaced using leather knobs.
As soon as the room is completed in May I'll take photographs and post the end result - and Tom can look forward to coming home at the end of term!
At 21 years old, 6'2" tall and reading law at University, he had finally called time on his boyhood bedroom - not least the single bed over which his feet hung and pale blue curtains covered in drawings of footballs!
I took the brief from his rather panicky mum, just days before he was due home for the Easter holidays! She wanted the room to be transformed into a warm, cosy grown-up bedroom-cum-study, and asked for rich deep colours - mainly browns and reds. A 5' bed was a must-have.
I emailed her the scheme and spreadsheet last week and it's all systems go! They both loved the scheme, which I created on Powerpoint and could be emailed back and forth a few times before finalising, along with cuttings of all the fabrics and full costings on an Excel spreadsheet.
The side lifting bed base gives loads of extra storage - especially for big items like cricket bags and ski gear. The bed base will be covered in a fabric that looks just like distressed leather - so there's no need for a bed valance which would just get tangled up when the bed is lifted & lowered. The oversize headboard will also be in the faux leather. It's from Carlucci (JAB) CA1038/021 £53.55 per m
I've chosen a smart ticking stripe wallpaper from Designers Guild (P586/01/C)
£35 per 10m roll
The cushions on the bed will be 30 x 50cm oblongs, using (L) Ralf Lauren FRL132/01/C
£40 per m and (R) William Yeoward FW118/03/C £59 per m
To complete the look the fitted wardrobe and cupboards will be repainted, using Farrow & Ball's London Stone, and the doorhandles replaced using leather knobs.
As soon as the room is completed in May I'll take photographs and post the end result - and Tom can look forward to coming home at the end of term!
Thursday 15 March 2012
2 new Rustic Style Log Cabins at Sherwood Forest
I've just been to complete the fit-out of the 2 new log cabins at The Sherwood Hideaway. They look amazing!
The style of these cabins is Rustic, although it doesn't mean they are any less luxurious.
The soft furnishing fabrics are all from JAB, the bedrooms and bathrooms have beautiful white shutters and the bathrooms have Porcelanosa tiles.
Full height shutters give a clean fresh look to the master bedroom. The luxurious queen-size Four Poster bed has goose-down duvet and pillows and Egyptian cotton sheets.
I was especially pleased with the wood paneling on the walls and ceiling - which is actually Andrew Martin wallpaper.
As well as the Master bedroom with en-suite, and a twin bedroom, these lodges each have a family bathroom, a huge living area, fully appliance'd kitchen and a dining area.The large private deck has a hot-tub and stylish rattan dining furniture.
The style of these cabins is Rustic, although it doesn't mean they are any less luxurious.
The soft furnishing fabrics are all from JAB, the bedrooms and bathrooms have beautiful white shutters and the bathrooms have Porcelanosa tiles.
Full height shutters give a clean fresh look to the master bedroom. The luxurious queen-size Four Poster bed has goose-down duvet and pillows and Egyptian cotton sheets.I was especially pleased with the wood paneling on the walls and ceiling - which is actually Andrew Martin wallpaper.
As well as the Master bedroom with en-suite, and a twin bedroom, these lodges each have a family bathroom, a huge living area, fully appliance'd kitchen and a dining area.The large private deck has a hot-tub and stylish rattan dining furniture.
They can be booked for a long weekend (Friday - Monday) or a mid-week break (Monday - Friday) though The Sherwood Hideaway
Thursday 8 March 2012
The shower I recommend - and the one kids love to use!
I thought I would shed some light on the subject of showers - and share my favorite one with you. (Not literally!)
I'm talking about showers that feed off your hot water system - not the electric type. If you want to get technical, I can explain what the different types of water systems are at the bottom of this blog.
The shower I like to recommend is the Aqualisa Quartz Digital.... for many reasons.
Firstly, because it's digital it's heavenly easy to operate. Just one press of a button and the water will begin to spray at the perfect temperature. And one press for off. And one button for boost. So simple anyone could use it. Kids love it because they don't have to fiddle with levers, adults love it because you can see what's what. Who wears their glasses in the shower?
Secondly, it has a time delay. That means you step into the shower, press the ON button and 10 seconds later your shower starts running.....giving you plenty of time to get out the way before the water drenches you.
You can choose from a fixed shower head or a slider rail, both have multi-speed heads with various spray settings.
Now here's the really clever bit..... you can now get undressed, let the shower get nice and warm, and when the water has reached it's pre-set temperature, the blue light stops flashing - when it's a steady blue light you know it's ok to jump in! How cool's that? OK - how warm is that.....!
One more thing to add if you a total gadget freak - an optional remote control. Imagine lying in bed, pressing the remote control and hearing your shower start running! Now just leap out of bed and into a nice steaming shower.
It's not an expensive system, it's very reliable and it works on all water systems - mains, gravity and combi.
Which water system do you have?
Basically, if you have a cold water tank in your loft and a hot water cylinder somewhere in the house, you have a Gravity system.
If you don't have a cold water tank in the loft, but you do have a hot water cylinder - with a big red bottle on top - you probably have a mains fed system.
If you don't have a hot water cylinder, you probably have a combi boiler system.
All 3 systems are compatible with the Aqualisa Digital Quartz system. You might need a pump too if you have a Gravity system, so decide where that will go.
A boring bit.... Being digital, you will need an electrician to connect a thin low voltage wire to the shower. The wires and instructions all come with the kit.
Here's a couple of showers I have recently designed and completed for clients. The tiles are all from Porcelanosa.
Do please contact me for further information and prices. I can arrange delivery within 2-3 days, as well as recommend a great plumber and tiler within the Bucks/Herts/Oxon areas.
Watch out for my next blog about digital bath fillers - they are fabulous!
I'm off for a shower now......!
This isn't a sponsored review - just my honest opinion as a designer, a woman, a mum, and someone who's taken and fitted a few showers.
The shower I like to recommend is the Aqualisa Quartz Digital.... for many reasons.
 |
| Simple shower controls |
Firstly, because it's digital it's heavenly easy to operate. Just one press of a button and the water will begin to spray at the perfect temperature. And one press for off. And one button for boost. So simple anyone could use it. Kids love it because they don't have to fiddle with levers, adults love it because you can see what's what. Who wears their glasses in the shower?
Secondly, it has a time delay. That means you step into the shower, press the ON button and 10 seconds later your shower starts running.....giving you plenty of time to get out the way before the water drenches you.
You can choose from a fixed shower head or a slider rail, both have multi-speed heads with various spray settings.
Now here's the really clever bit..... you can now get undressed, let the shower get nice and warm, and when the water has reached it's pre-set temperature, the blue light stops flashing - when it's a steady blue light you know it's ok to jump in! How cool's that? OK - how warm is that.....!
 |
| SHOWER (AND BATH) CONTROLS NEXT TO BED |
 |
| Remote Control button |
It's not an expensive system, it's very reliable and it works on all water systems - mains, gravity and combi.
Which water system do you have?
Basically, if you have a cold water tank in your loft and a hot water cylinder somewhere in the house, you have a Gravity system.
If you don't have a cold water tank in the loft, but you do have a hot water cylinder - with a big red bottle on top - you probably have a mains fed system.
If you don't have a hot water cylinder, you probably have a combi boiler system.
All 3 systems are compatible with the Aqualisa Digital Quartz system. You might need a pump too if you have a Gravity system, so decide where that will go.
A boring bit.... Being digital, you will need an electrician to connect a thin low voltage wire to the shower. The wires and instructions all come with the kit.
Here's a couple of showers I have recently designed and completed for clients. The tiles are all from Porcelanosa.
Do please contact me for further information and prices. I can arrange delivery within 2-3 days, as well as recommend a great plumber and tiler within the Bucks/Herts/Oxon areas.
Watch out for my next blog about digital bath fillers - they are fabulous!
I'm off for a shower now......!
Tuesday 28 February 2012
12 years on and still looking good....
 |
| Kite Hall |
Cheryl and I worked together to source a beautiful array of colours and fabrics for the home she was building with her husband Clive. As an artist, Cheryl had a great eye for colour and she could easily envision the end results.
We had great fun working through schemes for 3 levels of hall and landing, 4 receptions rooms, 6 bedrooms and numerous bathrooms. Cheryl and I even went to the Designers Guild sale together, and armed with her measurements and a calculator, I could work out how much fabric she needed on the spot!
Seeing the house today was a testimony to the classic styling, quality fabrics and superior workmanship we adhered to. There was very little fading and the curtains and blinds were all working beautifully.
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| Drawing Room |
My favorite room is the central family room. Bright fresh and inviting, I could sit in it all day!
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| Designers Guild curtains and chairs |
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| Swags draped over wooden holders and dress curtains to each side |
The family room is accessed from the hall, the kitchen and the garden. With windows to the front, it is flooded with light
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