Villa Nova - New Designs

Villa Nova have just brought out some beautiful new fabrics.

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Arlington is a luxurious collection of silks including embroideries, a grand scale print, a lustrous plain, a simple stripe and a coordinating sheer. Coloured in a sophisticated

palette.

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Foxley consists of free flowing botanically inspired prints on soft viscose linen, a crinkle effect wide width sheer and a brushed cotton plain

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Rosemoor is an elegantaly modern chenille damask and textured plain, immensely stylish, highly durable and beautifully soft. Available in over 20 colours.

Kitchen No. 1

The first of our 3 kitchens is now complete. As well as designing and installing a new kitchen, we also redecorated the house, supplied new oak flooring and new curtains and blinds throughout.

Beautiful granite worktops and upstands were installed.

A bespoke bookcase was built for all the clients cookery books.

Romo - New Collections

Romo fabrics have just produced their new collections:-

Licia - silks and embroideries. Four equisite botanical designs stitched on to a mix of silk and linen.

Samsara - inspired by nature with hints of the Orient.

Samsara Wallcoverings

Cabin Fever

The great day arrived around 2 weeks ago when the cabin was delivered. It took 1.5 hours to take everything off the lorry and then a further 2 hours to move to back garden (lorry driver only paid to deposit in front garden!)

There the cabin sat for a week, as we waited with excitement for David, Roger, Ben and Gordon to arrive (otherwise known as Uncle David, Uncle Roger, Cousin Ben and Grampa - Granny had decided she would rather go to St Tropez - whatever for?). The morning of the erection arrived. Cooked breakfast (I am told builders must have one) and then thrown into the garden (them, not me). I drove off with son to his guitar lesson, wondering what I would come home to? Perhaps it would be built? Perhaps one of them was already in hospital? Perhaps the beers had already been opened?

Well, I have to say they had got a long way - all four walls were up. However they later informed me that was the easy, quick bit. The roof was not as simple, and seemed to go up and come down several times. Several cups of tea later and a round of fish and chips, and they were really cracking on. By the end of Saturday the roof was on and there was a window. Now they were off to the pub - back in an hour for dinner - funny - they didn't invite me to the pub??

Sunday dawned, and everyone was looking a little jaded but determined to complete the task - doors went on, waterproof membrane on roof and then wonderful workers had to return back to the cold North. They had done a fabulous job, and worked like Trojans. The rest was up to Duncan and I........

Now a Base

The weather held OK last week, and the Tingleys, with a little bit of help from Barney (more hindrance really) completed the base for the Garden Office. We were asked if we would like Barney footprints in the wet concrete (I thought they were joking - they were not) - it seems many dog owners like that sort of thing - I am obviously not a typical dog owner and declined.

Only problem now is - there are small bits of concrete in the garden which we have endeavoured to pick up, but invariably Barney finds them and eats them! Yes I do feed him, but he obviously thinks it is not enough, and as well as bananas now likes concrete!!!

The next step is the delivery of the Garden Office which is due on Monday 7th September. I can't wait.

The Tingleys Are Here

Last week Bob Tingley arrived with his tape measure to map out the area I wanted and to go away and come back with a quote that wouldn't distress my husband too much!  We wanted the Tingleys to put down the reinforced concrete base, which will also include a damp-proof membrane.  They will then come back after the cabin had gone up and put a stepping stone path down to the doorway of the cabin.

I know the Tingleys pretty well - they put a patio and pathway in at our previous house, and also have put in the driveway here and also a patio and pergola.  They are a team of 3 brothers, who drink lots of tea and always seem to be happy.  Their work is second to none.  I highly recommend them.

Duncan and I spent the weekend clearing the area from all the undergrowth - we really had let the ivy take over the bottom of the garden.  Yesterday the skip arrived - although we were unsure why we required a skip.  The dog doesn't like the skip and refuses to walk past it - which is a bit difficult seeing as it has to be passed to get out of our drive.  Hence me pulling and Barney sitting with his bum firmly entrenched on paving.  He may not survive to see my garden office!!!

At 8am this morning theTingleys arrived - they will be with us for about 2 days.  I introduced them to Barney (the dog) who seemed to make the right impression, only for him to let me down by interrupting Bob's break, by pinching his banana just as he was taking a bite!  No banana left,including the skin!  Me thinks Barney better stay indoors.

After digging down to measure everything out, it was declared that indeed a skip was not required and was being sent back - which meant we didn't have to pay for it (that should please Duncan).  And now the digging starts - we are up against the weather as tomorrows forecast is not looking good.

Shed Living/Working

I have decided it is time to have an office at the bottom of our garden. I thought I would share my ongoing experiences over the next few weeks......

The idea came about, firstly due to cost of paying rent on the existing showroom and office and the desire to step out in my nightie from the kitchen to the office! OK so I am a little odd!

Proposed site

I decided working in the house, was not an option - I would have had to share the study with hubby, two kids and the hamster - not conducive to serious creative work. On top of which hubbies in-tray had a habit of spilling from the desk onto the floor on regular occasions! I am sure you get the picture.

The first step was trawling the various websites to find a suitable company to provide the garden office or shed (whatever you wish to call it). Found a site called http://www.shedworking.co.uk/ which had loads of useful information on the subject and a long list of suppliers. We settled on a company called Dunster House, it was extremely informative and we also knew two other people that had bought from them.

A bit of research confirmed we did not need planning permission if the height of the cabin was under 2.5m and the construction was at least 2m from our boundary. So far so good. Next to organise someone to lay the base ready for the cabin and to lay a pathway to it (don't want to get my slippers muddy on these rainy days)............