Talking Points Interiors Shop Opening

So we finally did it! After 2 years of restoring Chequers Hotel Pulborough to its former glory, planning and designing the wedding of Kerrie (my daughter and business partner) and her husband Ed, we have now set up Talking Points Interiors Shop @ Chequers Hotel Pulborough. 

Chequers Hotel Pulborough Orangery

Talking Points Interiors Wedding Design

Chequers Hotel Pulborough

So many guests have been commenting on the decor and carefully selected pieces around the hotel that we thought it made sense to offer them the opportunity to buy them so the Talking Point Interiors Shop @ Chequers has opened!

Our latest stock includes this fabulous Hungarian trunk Chest:

Hungarian Trunk Chest

Hungarian Trunk Chest

These incredibly popular turned wood lamp bases:

Turned Wood Lamp Bases

A Stockman Mannequin:

Stockman Mannequin

As well as a selection of candles, throws, antique mirrors and lanterns:

Mohair Throws

Vintage Log Basket

Lanterns available at TPI used for Wedding Church design

Scandi Style Lanterns

Our website is about to have an overhaul so you will be able to buy pieces directly from the site. In the meantime please pop in to our shop to see the pieces and even enjoy lunch or afternoon tea by the roaring fire when you visit!

Chequers Log Fire

Looking forward to seeing you.

Lissette x

West Sussex Walks

With the post Christmas drive to get fit and healthy we have been using the opportunity of being based at Chequers hotel to take advantage of the many scenic walks on the doorstep.

In fact with many guests coming to stay specifically for the purpose of walking trips, the Chequers Hotel in Pulborough is the perfect place to use as a base for beautiful walks - right on its doorstep combined with the host of other local attractions that the area has to offer! For those that would like to take the train to arrive at Chequers or to go to some of the attractions in neighboring towns, even the 5 minute walk to Pulborough Railway Station provides a scenic route.

Pulborough Railway Station - 5 minutes walk from Chequers Hotel

Through the field at the front of Chequers

Chequers Hotel Pulborough

Chequers is nestling at the foot of the Downs and within a very short distance from the South Downs Way, as well as other public footpaths and bridleways so we have been ticking off the following routes in our bid to get healthy whilst enjoying the amazing scenery in this area of outstanding natural beauty!

Walks include:

South Downs National Park

www.southdowns.gov.uk

South Downs Way

www.southdownsway.co.uk

50 walks in sussex

www.theaa.com

Local walks - History Walk, Woodland Walk, Brooks Walk

www.visitpulborough.com

Pulborough Brooks - with enchanting views of deer, wild birds, owls, bewick swans, wild geese, water voles and more!

http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/p/pulboroughbrooks/

Pulborough Brooks

And for the more adventurous we have discovered a great route to Canoe from Pulborough to Arundel and enjoy the spectacular sights:

Canoe from Pulborough to Arundel

For those interested here is a Trail Description:

Heading downstream, there is quiet countryside, and two nature reserves, first Pulborough Brooks, and then Amberley Wild Brooks, both great for seeing wading birds. The bridge after two miles is Greatham Bridge, (possible landing here, parking on west bank), with the village of Coldwaltham to the right. The Wey – South Downs long distance footpath follows the river closely until Houghton, where it joins the east-west South Downs Way. The river passes under the railway, and then there is a possible landing at Bury, at an old ferry landing near the church, but no parking.

The halfway point is Amberley (the bridge called Houghton Bridge, after the larger village to the right). Only parking is by permission of one of the businesses here, and the bridge approaches do not offer any landing or parking, the small B2139 being very busy and dangerous.

Amberely is very obvious – a nice bridge, and a high chalk escarpment on the left side, visible for miles. Houghton has the Amberley Chalk pits museum, a relic of former industry here.

After Houghton, the well-wooded Arundel park is present all down the right bank (landing and camping not encouraged), and after South Stoke on the right, the river splits at a railway bridge, the longer arm going left via Burpham, the right taking a shorter route alongside the railway, and under Offham Bridge. After the two re-join is a possible egress at the Black Rabbit Inn on the right, on a minor road from Arundel.

The major interest after this, to the right of a large river loop, is the Arundel Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Reserve.

Arundel with its castle and cathedral is then very obvious on the right, and the river loops into town. The formal egress point is beyond the bridge at a floating pontoon on the right bank, for which canoeists are expected to pay (by phoning up the Harbourmaster in advance), egress on to the pavement being by a low metal gate, usually locked. Alternative egress can be difficult, over stone riveting which can be muddy and slippery.

Arundel: a beautiful historic town is a fitting end (with a multitude of fantastic cream tea houses) for a well deserved treat to finish this exciting trip.

Go Canoeing!

http://www.gocanoeing.org.uk/go/index.cfm/activity-search/activity-detail/?oid=30&type=trail

Chequers Hotel Pulborough

Chequers Hotel Pulborough

Talking Points Interiors are now the proud owners of the charming Chequers Hotel Pulborough. Nestled at the foot of the South Downs, Chequers Hotel provides a quiet haven with stunning views over Arun Wild Brooks and the South Downs Beyond.

With Charming period features dating back to 1548 the atmosphere is relaxed and individual, providing the perfect retreat from which to explore the local countryside.

As the new owners, we aim to ensure that you enjoy a personalised service, tailored to satisfy the needs of your visit. Our goal is to be an exceptional example of a traditional coaching inn with 9 beautiful bedrooms, an inviting inglenook fireplace, a great wine list, good local ales and some excellent regional food which is, wherever possible, local, seasonal and sourced from only the best suppliers in the area.

Well connected by road and rail (5 min walk to Pulborough station) the hotel is within easy reach of Parham House, Goodwood Racecourse, Arundel and Amberly Castles, Fishbourne Roman Palace, Petworth House and Pulborough Brooks RSPB. We also offer conferencing facilities and free wifi, as well as a perfect venue for functions and parties.

A Warm Welcome Awaits!

For more information visit our website - soon to be updated to reflect the updates we are doing to Chequers: www.chequershotelpulborough.co.uk

Chequers Original Inglenook Fireplace



View from the Guest Lounge at Chequers



View from the hotel over the Beautiful Pulborough Brooks

Situated on Old Rectory Lane, Pulborough

Tucked away in the Sussex Downs

Original 1548 Front Door

A WEEK IN PROVENCE

A Week in Provence

I recently headed for Provence on a sourcing trip/mini holiday as this particular part of the world had been a recommend by a great friend.  Travelling via Lille, collecting some brocante along the way and also a chance to check this venue for the upcoming annual Brocante Market there.

Lille

Then I made my way South to a beautiful spot near Cassis in Provence - the charming Relais de Magdeleine Hotel was to be my sanctuary for a few days. As always with the Relais Chateaux collection, the hotel did not fail to provide a pleasurable and inspirational stay. For all those that love staying in beautiful
historical buildings with inspiring interiors look no further. Whilst my experience does not extend beyond France from sourcing trips I can only imagine that the rest of the International collection will be lovely.

Hotel Relais de Magdeleine Provence
 After a little local explore to source some vintage pieces to bring back with me I settled down to enjoy some fabulous wine from the local region - Domaine Du Paternal vinyard and reflected on the fabulous inspirations I had gleaned for an upcoming decoration project - with the brief "restore two drawing rooms of a Sussex country period manor house to their original state with Provencial inspiration".

Hotel Relais de Magdeleine Provence

I am now back in the UK armed with ideas and pieces to fulfill my assignment.

Drying Basket

Hurricane Lamps

Antique Pine Hanging Corner Cupboard

x

VINTAGE SCHOOL DESKS

I am being asked more and more for Vintage/Antique/Shabby Chic School Desks - so I have being out sourcing again and have found some lovely pieces - currently being restored in the workshop.

If you are looking for a Vintage School Desk, please visit the website for the latest in stock items - you may wish to customise the piece to your specification - if you would like the item painted/distressed, do not hesitate to contact me to discuss.

Current pieces

Vintage School Desk - Designers Guild

Talkingpointsinteriors.co.uk
A vintage double school desk - antique pine painted and distressed using Designers Guild 'Blossom'  - lightly waxed to protect

Fit for a princess

Matching vintage chairs


Previous commission

Antique/Vintage Esavian School Desk

A previous work for a client

A vintage/antique Esavian School Desk - restored and painted in Designers Guild Peony and distressed

Vintage School Chairs

The current trends show a high demand for vintage and industrial chairs - Bistro Chairs, Bentwood Chairs, School Chairs, Chapel Chairs, Marais Chairs, Louis Chairs and more.

Mixing and matching chairs around the dining table gives a fabulous individual look.

I am currently sourcing chairs for clients and have found a set of six Vintage/Shabby Chic Industrial School Stacking Chairs which are on the website

Pleas e mail if you are looking for items and can't find - I will endeavour to source

The Vintage Garden

Vintage Outdoor Dining

Vintage Chairs

Vintage French Metal Garden Chairs

Vintage Industrial School Stacking Chairs

 Vintage School Chairs

Vintage Industrial School Stacking Chairs

Vintage/Shabby Chic French Bistro Chairs

 Bentwood Chairs

Mundus - Bentwood Chair

 

Antique Mahogany Corner Chair

with

Pretty Embroidered Seat Detail

TalkingPointsInteriors.co.uk

Enquiries - enquiries@talkingpointsinteriors.co.uk

A trip to Nyon near Geneva

On a retrun trip to Geneva, I took the train one stop to Nyon to meet a friend - we had plans to visit a Wallpaper Exhibition, housed in the Musee National Suisse - the beautiful Chateau de Prangins.

 

Chateau de Prangins

 

View from Chateau de Prangins

  In 1972, when Chateau de Prangins was handed over to the Swiss Confederation for restoration and transformation into the home of the Swiss National Museum. Its interior revealed 30 out of 40 rooms decorated with wallpaper. On recommendation, at least 100 motifs dating from the mid-eighteenth century right up to the 1930's were preserved - and some of these we saw today.



View from Chateau de Prangins

Wallpaper had its origins in England, documented from the end of the 17th century and around 1750 it arrived on the continent where it became hugely popular.  After originally copying English papers, French producers rapidly surpassed them, and at one stage came to dominate from the 1770's onwards.

The first use to which printed paper was put was to line boxes, chests, fire screens or the insides of furniture.



Vintage wallpaper



Vintage trunk lined with 1930's wallpaper

 

These techniques have become popular again recently, just as wallpapering walls themselves drift in and out of fashion and the idea for papering furniture 'interiors' has inspired me to finish off some of my vintage pieces in this way.

Trunks that I am restoring - some already lined and also small pieces of furniture such as tallboys, bedside cabinets, shelves etc will soon be making there way onto the website.

I will be busy on my return home bringing my newly acquired vintage pieces back to life, with the added technique of using a little bit of history and nostalgia to give each piece its own unique charm.



La Clemence Cafe Geneva

 

Talkingpointsinteriors.co.uk