A surprise gift to welcome a Royal Marine home has led to a flurry of interest in a new bespoke interior design service provided by a Pinchbeck company.
Classic Interiors, of Cresswell Close, lets service personnel and their families proclaim their pride in their squadron, regiment or unit with soft furnishings bearing their flag or badge.
Cushion covers, lampshades and blinds are just some of the ‘canvasses’ which have so far been created by interior designer Lisa Woodcock and are now decorating barracks across the country as well as individuals homes.
Lisa said: “The idea came about when my cousin, who is a Royal Marine, asked me to make him a Roman blind.
“After searching and searching I had to tell him I couldn’t do it because I couldn’t find the fabric. Then, while he was away, it occurred to me to contact the company that makes military flags.
“Instead of printing the flag in its usual landscape shape, they were able to custom print it to a portrait shape and I was able to make the blind and sneak into my cousin’s house and fit it for him as a surprise when he returned.
“It was supposed to be a one-off, but he put a picture on Facebook and it all went a bit bonkers – it had something like 28,000 likes that weekend.
“The orders started coming in and we have now completed a number of cushion covers, blinds and lampshades and they are really popular.
“We have taken a number of orders for barracks, as well as from individuals who are proud of the group or organisation they represent – not just the armed forces but also firefighters, police and other institutions.
“These people are rightly proud of their flag, insignia or badge and our furnishings are a great way for them and their families to reflect their pride with a special item in their own living room, bedroom – or even downstairs loo!”
And it’s not just the flag or badge of the more mainstream groups Lisa can provide.
Fabric can be printed from now defunct or more obscure groups, for example, as long as an image is available to enable the flag company to create a new vector.
Individual items can also be embroidered and personalised with name, rank and number if required.
Prices for a cushion cover or lampshade start from around £30, with additional costs for personalisation or if a new vector needs to be created.
To contact Lisa to find out more about Classic Interiors’ range, go to the military products page at www.classiccurtainsltd.co.uk or call 01775 711654.
