Dear Readers, as I might have mentioned we are having some painting and decorating done in the house. Attention has now moved to the bedroom, where an unfortunate link from the bathroom above caused the wallpaper to peel off annoyingly. Of course, I’ve been laying in bed looking at it for about five years, but finally I have discovered the energy to ask someone to do something about it.

Yesterday, the painters did some ‘making good’ to get rid of the old paper, smooth things down etc etc, so instead of looking at peeling wallpaper I could look at the image above. I hope you’re impressed.

I think that it looks rather like a faceless hooded monk waving his arms around, but someone else said that it looked like a tree. So I’m wondering what you lovely people can come up with! What do you think it looks like? Nothing too rude, please, though I’ll tolerate rude-ish.

In other news, the paint colour that the room was originally painted in (Fired Earth’s Palm Honey since you ask) is now discontinued, so most of today has been spent trying to track down an alternative. In the end, we found it at Sally Bourne Interiors In Muswell Hill, and they’ll make the colour up for you on the spot, so highly recommended if you’re a North Londoner. They also have a lovely selection of what my Mum would have called ‘Bits and Bobs’ – I had a spell when I was collecting coloured glass vases, and I found some lovely pieces there. I am trying very hard to buy local, and to use local companies if I need anything done, so expect a few more recommendations over the coming months!