Take high road to a high life
I ADMIT, dear reader, that today I am being rather indulgent.
Burns Night, celebrating the most celebrated of Scots Robert Burns was a while ago I agree, however, my love of
-
White stag
highland life will remain, as Robbie himself once said, "till a' the seas gang dry".
We've all dreamt of what our existence would have been like if we had lived in another time. My personal preference is to
MAYFAIR ESTATE AGENTS
If we cannot find you a tenant within one month, we will find you one for FREE, yes FREE, you will pay no fees.
Contact 01472 355553
Terms: Terms and Conditions Apply
Contact: 01472 355 553
Valid until: Wednesday, May 22 2013
imagine stalking through the heather, breathing in cold air and admiring the view of one loch or another, merrily saluting Queen
Vicky in the vague direction of Balmoral.
Fortunately, I don't have to actually live like a Victorian to appreciate their love of Scotland. Let's start with walls ... I have a
love of stags, so imagine my delight when all things woodland/wildlife/ nature came into vogue.
This leads me nicely to former Vogue Living editor Vanessa Barneby. She is behind Barneby Gates, which creates wallpapers
with that heritage feel. I was delighted to happen across the firm on the internet, and within a couple of weeks, two crisp rolls of Deer Damask had arrived.
The gorgeous claret and gold now adorns two feature walls in my home. At £78 a roll, it's certainly not the cheapest around, but gosh does it make an impact!
If this is a bit too dramatic, a quick search on the web (those Victorians really did miss out!) will give you subtler alternatives.
And if your walls are already fit to bursting, why not think about tartan? It suits almost everything, from footstools and armchairs to curtains and cushions.
Fill your boots, I say, as accessories are, of course, the easiest of things to change or rotate in your home.
And if you're that way inclined, why not bring some tartan into what you wear? Joules use subtle patterns for their coats and jackets, and become inspired by Vivienne Westwood – the undisputed queen of tartan.
Jumping back to accessories, if embracing Scottish stuff the whole hog is not your thing, how about a modern touch?
Fashion designer Ben de Lisi has launched a homeware section at Debenhams. I couldn't resist snapping up this white stag (at £35) and you can also hang it on a wall if real taxidermy turns your stomach.
To be frank, I could prattle on about this sort of thing for hours, but this is enough to give you some ideas.
So pour yourself a whisky, steam a haggis, sound the bagpipes, hitch up your kilts, recite some Burns and embrace the highlands in your home.
Comments