Monmouth 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!

Handmade to order furniture and handmade gifts. My Medina and RedDog are displaying their gorgeous hand selected homewares, accessories and gifts, which are a delicious complement to our beautiful handmade furniture and sofas. From desirable handbags to handcrafted soaps, and bath linen to bracelets - take a little time out to sip some champagne, sink into a fabulous sofa and select that special gift to take home. And with an     Extra 10% off all our Winter Sale Prices - it’s the perfect reason to visit our lovely Georgian Townhouse store in Monnow Street. Mark Elliot – The home of fine furniture in Monmouth. 102 Monnow Street, Monmouth NP 25 3EQ Tel: 01600 77562 OFFER ENDS FEB 21ST 2010

A phenomenal Preview of the Winter Sale at Mark Elliot Furniture, we are now into first full on Sale of the coming New Year. Check out Mark’s new web site on www.markelliot.co.uk  for details and your nearest showroom. Or call Harm or myself at the Monmouth Show Room on 01600 775620.   Beat the VAT rise which happens on the 4th Jan 2010  

  www.markelliot.co.uk has a great event coming up. 4,5,6 & 7 Dec Winter Sale Preview 15% extra off the Sale price.Visit the Monmouth Showroom

You may have heard of Mark Elliot's reputation for quality hand-made furniture and bespoke upholstery, and even that he has a showroom at 102 Monnow Street, Monmouth.   What you may not be aware of is Mark's support of local artists whose work complements his cabinetry and upholstery.  The Monmouth showroom currently hosts works from local artists such as Gail Lautieri and Sarah-Jane van der Westhuizen, as well as Patricia Lomax from Devon.   Between 6.30 and 8 on the evening of 30th July 2009, there is a unique opportunity for you to view the artwork and furniture in the stunning surroundings of the Georgian building that is Mark Elliot Monmouth, while taking part in a structured wine tasting under the guidance of Tom Innes of Fingal Rock, Monmouth's leading independent wine merchant.   Places at this event are strictly limited, and those wishing to attend should contact Monmouth@markelliot.co.uk as soon as possible.  Those whose applications are successful will be notified by e-mail prior to the event.      

Mark Elliot summer sale is about to start. Great Hand made Furniture and bespoke Sofa's all made to order for you at 50% off the RRP! Log on to www.markelliot.co.uk to find your nearest store. Or call Harm or myself to place an order at the Monmouth showroom. for a futher 10% off!!!! We look forward to hearing from you.

  Bedroom Project Two   For the last five months I have been working on a major bit of DIY, turning two small and pokey rooms into a double bedroom with an en-suite shower room.   The project has been fraught with problems not least with the lack of time as trying to juggle, husband's work and my studying, along with having to deal with the constraints of dealing with an old property and all that other people have done in the past, not all of it good!   But today I can finally start seeing my design coming together. The wiring and plumbing finally finished, which is a frustratingly long process as even though lots is being done it doesn't always appear that much progress is being made. What does make me feel that there is light at the end of the tunnel is that the plasterers have been and have just about finished and I can now think about getting on with the fun bit! Getting together the products I have chosen and finally seeing my drawings come to life!   On this occasion I have decided to use (where ever possible) products that have the least impact on the environment and or are natural and are sustainable sourced.   Shower room Nero Riven Slate floor                                       Mandarin Stone, Monmouth http://www.mandarinstone.com   Na poli Stone wall tiles                                     Marlborough Tiles. Marlborough http://www.marlboroughtiles.com   Accent wall tiles                                                 Dee Hardwick Ceramics, Monmouth http://interpretationdesign.co.uk/hardwicke   Paint                                                                      Rendona Paints, Lydney http://www.rendona.co.uk   Shower Room                                                      World of Baths http://worldofbaths.co.uk     Bedro om Furniture                                                              from Leeks of Cardiff Pure Wool Carpet                                              Country Covering Of Monmouth http://www.countrycoverings.co.uk   Fabric    Manhattan Collection                      Designers Guild, London http://www.designersguild.com   Fit ted wardrobe                                                  Re- using doors and fittings from a previous room. Lighting                                                               John Lewis Paint                                                                       Rendona Paints, Lydney   I will of course be posting photos up on my profile on www.arts-wales.co.uk where you can see Bedroom project I did for my eldest daughter along with articles on my hill walking that my husband and I have been doing.      

Cezare's Challenge Trophy           Back in 1996 we were lucky enough to find a beautiful Crabbet Arabian horse called Cezare.  Along the long and sometimes frustrating road of competing we have met some interesting people, some famous and others well known only in the world of the Arabian horse, but one thing we all have in common is love of the breed.   I was first introduced to this beautiful and spirited breed when I was a teenager. At this time in my life I failed to appreciate the lady I was introduced to and had no idea of her standing in the Arabian horse world. I just saw her as a rather eccentric old lady that bred lovely horses that had a tendency to be a bit difficult to handle. (Probably because the only horses I was interested in at the time were largely Eventers/ Hunters and had to be at least 16.2hh for me to even give them the time of day!)   The lady I am speaking of was called Mrs Roberts and the horse was Magic Argosy! Little did I realise that this boy and his lineage were, and are still, considered horses of note in this country.   My interest in the breed was then re-kindled during my short sojourn in Canada by my friends Laurie Beckstead and Bruno Lapointe, who have both demonstrated such great versatility with Arab horses.  Of course, at this time, I still owned a lovely big thoroughbred (ex-flat racer)!!    I am in danger of digressing too far. Going back to Cezare, or Cez as he is known to his friends, I bought him as a five year old stallion and was 'advised' at the time that you had to make your mind up whether to do in-hand showing or ridden as you could not do both! As it turned out, Cez was to prove this theory wrong, and also to go on to prove that the Arabian Horse is more than just an animal that goes round in ever-decreasing circles being yelled at by a veritable rugby crowd!  Not only did he love and thrive on the crowd, but he also made three trips to The Horse of the Year Show, being placed twice with an amateur rider on board; to date he is the only horse to have won both the in-hand and ridden classes at the British Arabian Championships in the same year.   After his showing career came to an end, largely because Cez was telling us he had had enough - not surprising as he had been showing since he was a foal at foot, he then went on to help fly the banner for the Arabian breed at British Riding Club & Affiliated Dressage. This culminated in qualifying for the British Riding Club Championships competing in Riding Test, Novice Dressage & Novice Dressage to Music. Although he did not disgrace himself, it has to be said that his son Czak is carving a distinguished career in this discipline. To see Czak & Cez' niece go to www.songbirdarabians.co.uk     'What about some Show Jumping?' I hear you all say! Well yes, we did have a go and while Cez would happily jump at home, he worked out very quickly that if he put in three stops at the first fence he could go home early! Frustrating to say the least, but it demonstrates the intelligence that goes with the breed! It was annoying at the time as we were looking to do something different but we can laugh about it now. This is not to say that Arabs don't jump, they do! An acquaintance used to take her show horses Hunting and it certainly showed in the horse's manners.   All this brings me to Cezare's Trophy.   Each year for the past decade (since 1998) the Monmouth And District Arabian-horse Supporters Society (MADASS!!) have run a high points award, where each competitor gained points over the year for each class they enter. This year, as Cez is now entering his retirement (apart from the occasional outing in Veteran classes), we felt it was time to present a trophy that acknowledges the versatility of the Arabian breed, as exemplified by our wonderful, gregarious, beautiful spirited little horse.   We are pleased to say that it was first presented to Jenny Lees' Shuwaiman Al Bahrain, who competed successfully in Racing, Endurance, Dressage, in-hand showing and ridden.  You must surely agree this is a wonderful achievement - to see this cracking little horse, go to www.pearlislandarabians.co.uk    Well done Jenny and Amanda; we are so pleased that, on this inaugural occasion, his trophy has gone to such a fantastic and versatile example of the Arabian breed.