“Real showstoppers – crafted with so much care and attention to detail”

5 minutes with Northampton designer Nichola Haysey

I hadn’t come across Edward Harpley before but was blown away when one of my clients showed me a bedroom with stunning decorative curtain poles.

Having used Edward Harpley curtain poles before my client wanted more of them as they decorated room by room through their beautiful 17^th century Northamptonshire farm-house – where only a certain style of window dressing would suffice.

Working with clients is always a collaboration – they have their ideas – and you work with them to produce something which will do justice to such a magnificent property – but which also lives and breathes with the client’s personality.

My client’s brief was: “Red, gold, Georgian, sumptuous and luxurious!” – then he literally said, go!

Passing that brief onto Pat Harpley and her team at Edward Harpley – I told them the colours, the setting and what I was trying to achieve – they came back with a couple of alternatives – which gave me everything I needed. Originally this was a plain plastered room with a dusty fireplace – so we added absolutely everything, coving, panelling, granite, the whole works.

And the results were delightful. I love how the curtain poles look. I was so thrilled to incorporate them into the project as they just finish it off beautifully. The poles and finials, even the brackets are exquisite and are real showstopper pieces – outstandingly crafted and painted with so much care and attention to detail – which is an absolute must in this industry.

I love working with the team at Edward Harpley – they really know their stuff – they listen to what you want – and they provide impeccable customer service – fast, efficient help and support with the whole process from design stage, feasibility, samples, expert advice on colour options and styles, right through to enabling my visuals to come to fruition and wowing my Client. He absolutely loves what we came up with (phew!) and it suits his taste perfectly”

Pat Harpley and her team have been invaluable in the success of my designs for my clients – I highly recommend them!

Background detail from Pat Harpley

The design profile requested by Nichola was for our Open Twist poles and Acanthus & Flambeau finials, both classics from our collection. The pole design has featured in many interiors and is based on a neo-classical theme often used on cornices or poles, from which hung swags and tails. Drawing curtains were usually fitted onto a board behind. Nowadays double brackets supporting two poles are often preferred.

The finish was black lacquer and gilt – all applied by hand – a traditional and effective finish for a distinctive interior. We can supply all our poles and finials in any colour or timber, which is why they are so appropriate for decorative interiors, incorporating any style of gilding or matching any colour.

We always supply colour samples for customers’ use and were delighted that this project was so successful.

Thank you to Nichola for her pictures and time. Haysey Design & Consultancy.

Room photography by Wildgoose Photographics.