Interior in Yasni Exposé of Gill Cattroll

    BowerBird Interiors is a small start-up that has been inspired by our interest in the quirky and the many people we have met along the way as a result. We aim to provide unusual accessories, gifts and objets d’art for the home, family and friends. Using local and UK based companies, we seek to offer limited edition, and in some circumstances unique, items to our customers. We hope that you will enjoy browsing our web site and look forward to seeing you at the Mark Elliot showroom in Monmouth where our products can be purchased. 01600 775620

I have been back working for Mark Elliot Furniture for just over a year now and whilst going back to an old position is not always to be recommended, as it can sometimes give the the impression of going backwards rather than forwards, for me at least it has given new impetus and self confidence that the last job all but destroyed.   With ME one gets to meet some wonderfully interesting people, and on the whole our customers are very charming, although there is the odd one that I would rather not have met.  I know a sale is a sale but I have to say I have noticed recently that the ones that spend the least are the ones that make the loudest noise!   I have enjoyed my last year; I am back working for a firm that has a family feel about it. I have a great Manager and there is a real team spirit tha runs through out the company. Even though I have only met seven members of the entire firm, one can always count on friendly helpful advice at the end of the phone or via email.   It has been a joy to help our customers make, what I hope , is the right choice for their space; we don't get too many complaints so have to assume that they are happy, especially as we have never had any negative feedback for the Customer Service questionnaires that are returned to Head Office! Working on the theory that no news is good news, I think we can safely say the majority of our customers are happy with the Mark Elliot experience!   So the year so far is settled...well not quite. This last month we had some exciting news! Not only were we making good progress in spite of the economic climate, we apparently caught the eye of a firm that liked what we do, particularly the fact that the furniture is made to order and that most of what we produce is made in the UK, so much that they bought the company! So yes while we were all a little taken aback and change is always stressful, it is also most exciting, made even more so for us at Monmouth by the fact that our new Image Consultant was so impressed with our showroom that she immediately contacted the new owners to say what a beautiful showroom we have! She should see it now!....... I have just spent the best part of the day with our fantastic delivery boys and my Manager rearranging the show room. On the lorry was a room full of stunning French oak furniture (Christmas came early this year for me!) which, with the rearranged upholstery, means that the showroom is, my humble opinion, utterly stunning! And it will be getting even better as new upholstery and a bedroom collection will be arriving in due course.   So this is a very tired but happy interior designer signing out!   If any of you find yourselves visiting Monmouth, you are more than welcome to drop in and have an Italian coffee with us!

Mark Elliot, the luxury English furniture designer, has today announced the launch of an exclusive, British Pride charity cushion to raise money for the Dame Vera Lynn Trust for Children with Cerebral Palsy.  The gorgeous cushion, which is a stunning creation based on the Union flag is made from vintage look thread and is the perfect symbol for Dame Veras and Mark Elliots British values. £10 from the sale of each cushion sold will be donated directly to the Dame Vera Lynn Trust, one of the few specialist charities in the UK dedicated to helping children under 5 with cerebral palsy and their parents.  The trust does not receive any government funding and relies 100% on donations from the public to enable it to raise the £450,000 needed per year to continue the incredible service it offers to families."I was so inspired by the amazing work carried out by the Dame Vera Lynn Trust that I wanted to contribute to their cause through something I am passionate about  interior design and furniture" commented Mark Elliot " As a father, I know how important it is to support our childrens future which is precisely what the Trust works towards.  This cushion is the perfect tribute as it looks stunning in every home, whether it adorns a bedroom, living room or hallway.  Its a beautiful feature but the fact that owning one helps support a very worthy cause, makes it all the more desirable."Dame Vera Lynn said The British Pride cushion stands for everything my Trust holds dear  pride, enjoyment, a bright future and inspiration. All these things are symbolised by the use of the Union flag and I hope that lots of people take the trouble to buy one for their homes and for friends and relatives, as the money will make a remarkable difference to the lives of many children with cerebral palsy and their families.  The 'British Pride' cushion is available at £29.99 (plus £5.00 post & packing) from Mark Elliot stores or online.

As part of my growing experience with Interior Design I was fortunate enough to work for a company that produced hand made furniture. During my time there I was lucky enough to under go extensive training on what to look for in quality furniture.   As my experience grew I was also entrusted in the choice of fabrics for some of the upholstery and accessorise existing display items to them a new lease of life, which were to go on display in the showroom where I worked.   Because of this experience I now feel able to advise my future clients as to what is value for money. Look out for upholstery I styled on my ecademy profile.      

It was a good friend in Canada, on visiting the house that I had at the time, who said that I should seriously consider Interior Design as a profession. So although it was something that I have wanted to do for quite some time, life always seemed to get in the way - bringing up my two girls, looking after my husband, helping run the then family business, producing the ponies/horses for the show ring and Dressage - before long I was approaching 40 and apart from having fun sorting out Interiors for our own homes, I had not taken any formal courses. It was a period of enforced convalescence that got me going on my first structured course in this subject, and lo and behold I found out that I was quite good! Gaining a distinction!Having taken the basic course, I am now moving on to the next level, which is proving to be a very interesting. I hope in the future to post some of my work up on my profile for you all to have a look at. I'll also put up some photos of my projects, as and when I consider them to be finished; something that can be difficult - as anyone with a creative mind knows, there is always room for improvement!!! In the meantime you can see some of my work and other interests on the site www.arts-wales.co.ukWhen I look at all these impressive Profiles and lovely people who are leading interesting lives, it has left me wondering how best to describe myself to you. My background is in Psychiatric Nursing and running a country Pub; both dealing with people who are not always on their best behaviour, the difference being that those ill in hospitals couldn't help it. Joking aside, both these occupations have taught me how to communicate and to listen. For pleasure during this time, I bought my first pure-bred Arabian horse; he has been a prolific winner in the show ring at County, National and International level. Also during this time my eldest daughter, who has inherited her mother's genes, went on to compete in the discipline and art form that is Dressage. Between us we took a very green horse to the level of being able to compete at the British Riding Club National championships, gaining a third individually and being part of the winning team Nationally, as well as competing at Elementary level in affiliated Dressage - all in the space of 3 years. It was a sad day when we had to sell this horse but these things happen when your offspring go off to University.Showing and competing at this level requires commitment, hard work and a definite eye for detail; all of which are equally needed in Design.As for my youngest Daughter, she is not quite so "obsessed" with our equine friends, preferring to launch herself down rivers at ever increasing speed in single, double or quad sculls! Something that I highly respect as I can't help thinking those boats look too close to the water to me!! Well that is a little bit about who I am; as for where I am heading, Georgina's testimonial (on my ecademy profile) is very kind and correct! As she says, 'Watch this space.'

Personal profile page of Gill Cattroll - up and coming interior designer based in South Wales.