Island Life Magazine Ltd April/May 2018 | Page 25

Prestige Property Changing rooms Doing a home makeover is one of the joys of springtime – whether refreshing your sitting room, doing up the dining room or creating a child’s bedroom. But with so much choice in colours, fabrics, patterns and finishes, it can all get a little overwhelming. That’s where a specialist like Marianne Davies comes into her own. With her trained eye for colour and design and her skill as a needlewoman, Marianne can offer a completely bespoke service that takes confused clients from uncertainty to delightful results. Marianne, who’s been running her aptly-named Inspirations shop in Ventnor for 10 years, keeps a whole library of fabrics to help kick start the inspirational process. She enjoys working one-to-one with clients to come up with the perfect choice of curtains, blinds and soft furnishings to create a totally individual look. Hand-making everything herself in the workshop at the rear of the store, Marianne also offers a free initial home visit to measure up and ensure perfect results. For those still exploring ideas for a home makeover, the shop is a treasure trove of inspirations, with its selection of chalk paints, carpet samples and haberdashery. Mum-of-two Marianne says she loves the process: “When someone comes in I just say ‘Give me a colour’ and we pull out the books and get going. It’s great to see the transformation through.” Find Inspirations at 26 High St, Ventnor, PO38 1RZ, telephone 01983 856263 or visit the website at www.inspirationshome.co.uk. Hidden treasures down on the farm Now into its second year of ownership by Mel Hicks, Doreshill Farm Emporium continues to build its reputation as the Island’s biggest and most original marketplace for all things antique and vintage. Browsers will find a huge and eclectic mix of vintage and retro wares along with an inspirational range of home décor items. Whether you’re looking for furniture (they have an amazing range of antique, retro, painted and upcycled items), mirrors, lamps, rugs or perhaps a statement piece, you’ll find a wide selection of quirky and unique items. If it’s china, ceramics or glass you are after, then there is everything from Art Deco to ‘everyday’, from Murano glass to Isle of Wight pottery, along with other home items such as kitchenalia and flatware. Meanwhile, the outdoor display area is full of birdbaths, gnomes, staddles and benches for pondering! With 25 traders to buy from, you’re bound to discover something special and unique for your home or garden – and for a nominal fee, they’ll deliver to any address on the Island. With plenty of free parking, and a complimentary drink to help the search along, it’s not surprising that this is becoming one of the Island’s ‘go- to’ hunting grounds for all things antique, vintage and retro. Find Dores Hill Farm Emporium at Briddlesford Road, Wootton Bridge, PO33 4RX. Tel: 07590 927243. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. www.visitilife.com 25