Welcome to my studio!

July 1, 2020February 11, 2025 Julie GardnerLeave a comment

We were incredibly lucky to have our kitchen/dining room (which is also my lampshade workshop) decorated just before lock down and I have been meaning to share it on here since then so I’m sorry it’s taken so long. I adore this space. It’s so light and airy but also very cosy in the winter. I can step straight into the garden for a stroll and look at the flowers or make myself a cup of tea whenever I need a break. The only down side is that I have to tidy everything away at the end of a day and everyone obviously gravitates here when they get hungry (which is quite often when you have two teenage boys living in the house!) It’s been accentuated during lock down for sure with four of us living here. So I am seriously considering building a workshop in the garden where I can really get away from it all and absorb myself in making. But for now I’m very happy and grateful to have this space.

I have been busy working on my own machine embroidery designs which I will be adding to my Etsy shop. These are all botanical themed so far and I have used them to make cushions and lampshades. I’d like to come up with a collection that I can sell eventually but it’s early days as I’m trying things out and having fun experimenting. One good thing about lock down, I have plenty of time to do this and seem to be quite inspired! Yesterday I spent all afternoon coming up with a design and started cutting fabrics to stitch on.

Anyway, back to my kitchen/dining room/workshop… Here it is. The walls are painted in Little Greene china blue, with a slightly lighter tone in the kitchen area as it can be a bit dark in there at certain times of day. The wallpaper is also from Little Greene and is called Fern in sage blue. It wraps around two walls and makes a cosy seating area in one corner. I admired this wallpaper in one of Samantha Johnson’s designs in Taplow – see her gorgeously clever interior design work here.

We already had the two seater sofa which is from Made.com. And my favourite velvet Calvin armchair is from Atkin & Thyme. Glass pendant over the dining room table is quite old but I still love it (from Next). Lampshades by gilhoolie. Glass cabinet from Ikea. Anglepoise original 1227 dark blue ceiling lights from John Lewis. Dining room table and benches from Habitat.

So you see, what a lovely space to be creative in. Next project, our master bedroom! I have ordered new furniture but we need to get on and decorate before it arrives, I’m off to get paint sample pots…

If you would like to order a lampshade for your own house please get in touch. I can help with sourcing fabrics to fit in with your scheme. Check out my instagram account for lots of images of previous makes.

Decorating Projects · Interior Design

Covid-19 Lock Down – Week Two – Gratitude

April 9, 2020February 11, 2025 Julie GardnerLeave a comment

We’re actually into week three of lock down as I write this. I’m trying not to listen to the news too much during the day as it’s all too worrying. It feels like we’re getting close to the peak of this pandemic and I just want it all to be over. I even had a dream the other night that I was surrounded by people who were too close to me and I had to run to get away. We’d never used the phrase social distancing until coronavirus struck and now it’s all I think about when I’m out…

But it’s not all doom and gloom at gilhoolie. Far from it. Sometimes I feel guilty that I’m enjoying this strange lock down. I’m also feeling incredibly grateful for everything I have around me (as well as all those people who are working hard to save lives and keep things running out there). My family (two teenagers who are being great, I’m very proud of them) and my husband (who is working harder than ever in his little office upstairs), my dog (who keeps me company and gives me a reason to get out and exercise and say hello to those I meet on the way), my friends (I’ve had lots of virtual cuppas over the last couple of weeks and a zoom pub night last weekend), my house, my garden, the sunny weather, the countryside, good food, the list is endless. It’s all we can do at times like this to think of the positives and be grateful for the small things we often take for granted.

I’ve been sticking to a routine most days during the week; it’s the best way to keep me going I find. I’m just taking longer to do everything, really slowing down which is good for me I know. Even though I sleep in later than usual I’m still getting up at around the same time each day, doing 30 minutes exercise (I’ve moved on to Joe Wicks 7 day sweat challenge), breakfast, long dog walk or jog, shower, lunch. Then I spend the afternoon on gilhoolie bits and bobs, lampshades, painting, design assistance for any of the interior designers I work for that still want things doing. I often watch an episode of Line of Duty with my oldest son early evening before cooking dinner – I didn’t watch it the first time around so we have lots to catch up on!

Below are just a few of the things I’m grateful for right now. Stay home and stay safe everyone. Let’s hope next time I write there will be more positive news stories. And don’t forget to clap the NHS this evening at 8pm 🙂 🌈 👏

Decorating Projects · gilhoolie loves... · Interior Design

gilhoolie loves lampshades and…wallpaper

November 12, 2012February 16, 2025 Julie Gardner2 Comments

As I type, Terry the plasterer is skimming our dining room ceiling to remove all traces of the horrible artex. My latest decorating project…

So, I had already chosen some wallpaper about a year ago but I thought I should have a quick look to see if there are any others I like more (did I say a quick look? – arghhh! SO much choice out there!) Anyway, here are some of my personal favourites right now, a real mix from geometric to paisley to floral to 1950s to wildlife (told you there was lots of choice!)…

1. Festival wallpaper in concrete from Mini Moderns – reminds me of my Interior Design studies on Lucienne Day

2. Love the geometric shapes of Erin in chalk and sky from Harlequin

3. Had to include Linear Stem by Orla Kiely

4. Tulips are my favourite flowers – Tulia from Harlequin

5. I quite like subtle paisley patterns so had to include Paisley Crescent from Mini Moderns

6. I think hares are quite in aren’t they?! – Harvest Hare from St Jude’s

7. Pretty leaves, very autumnal – Lucerne by Harlequin

8. Simple florals in Lacarno from Harlequin

9. My original wallpaper choice – lovely Craven Street in greystone from Little Greene

The question is, do I stick to my original plans?! Watch this space…

Decorating Projects · Interior Design

Art Deco with a twist…

March 27, 2012February 8, 2025 Julie Gardner2 Comments

It’s been quite a while since I studied Interior Design and it was really good to have the chance to refresh that knowledge by putting together a sample board for a client last week. I didn’t have to do this but I find it helps visualise how a scheme is going to look with the wallpaper, cushions, lampshades, furniture, fittings and ornaments all on the same board together. I would always recommend doing this when putting a scheme together plus I enjoyed doing it too so that was a bonus!

This project has been based around an Art Deco fireplace and the client wanted to keep that Art Deco feel but with a modern twist. This is the kind of Interior Design I like as I love mixing up styles rather than just sticking to one.

We chose the wallpaper a while ago but now that I offer a bespoke lampshade making service, I’m able to combine the two skills and complete the room for her. We’ve gone for a simple geometric wallpaper behind the bed, to go with the Art Deco fireplace on the opposite wall.

Then a lovely floral fabric from John Lewis will adorn a pendant lampshade in the middle of the room and cushions on the bed. The two small bedside lampshades will be replaced with plain, muted pink drum lampshades and an Art Deco mirror will go above the fireplace. I don’t have pictures of all the furniture on this sample board but they would ideally be included to finish off the whole picture. I’ll put some more photos on here once the lampshades and cushions are made… I wouldn’t mind a bedroom like this though, a bit girly but not too much so and very calming zzzzz……

Wallflower fabric in magenta and grey — Large pendant lampshade in wallflower fabric

ArtDecoInspiredBedroom SampleBoard — Sample Board for an Art Deco Inspired Bedroom

Decorating Projects · Interior Design

Did you know John Lewis sell disco balls?!

July 13, 2011February 8, 2025 Julie Gardner1 Comment

Walls, ceiling and woodwork painted, fire surround painted, fireplace tiles painted, shelves put up, wallpapering done, mirror put back, new light put up… not a quick job this one but worth it in the end! I can’t believe how much lighter the room feels now that it’s a cool duck egg rather than a dark red.

The floral wallpaper is called Hudson Mohair from Laura Ashley and has a pearlescent sheen (not available any more though so the pressure was on when we were trying to wallpaper round the fireplace!)

The Dante chandelier is from John Lewis and has already been described as a disco ball by my five year old but I’m hoping it adds a bit of glamour and impact to the room.

My last task is to frame some pictures I’ve been collecting for the wall behind the sofa which is looking very empty – more photos of the rest of the room to follow, I just thought I’d do a quick update now.

Even the beanbags I made back in March match the scheme…

Decorating Projects · Interior Design

The red has to go!

June 14, 2011February 8, 2025 Julie GardnerLeave a comment

Well, while I’m waiting for my delivery of inks, screens and squeegee I thought I’d make a start on decorating our living room. I have to admit I’ve been putting it off as there’s lots to do but now is a perfect time and I need another project to get stuck into. Here is a photo of the room – I hate the red wall and I don’t really like the tiles round the fireplace plus the shelves aren’t brilliant, see what I mean, lots to do!

I’m not going to bother with a floor plan this time as the furniture can only fit one way. I have put together a mood board though. If you’re thinking about changing the scheme of a room this is a really good way to start as it helps you visualise the kind of feel you want to achieve in the end. In this case I’m going for blues, greys and whites to make a calming room with natural colours and textures. I’ve been collecting cards and pictures of all different sizes to put in frames on one wall and have already made a cushion so I’ve been thinking about the scheme for some time. I even have the wallpaper already (to go on one wall); another reason to get started in case I don’t like it in a few months time!

Decorating Projects · Interior Design

Interior Design in Reverse!

May 12, 2011February 8, 2025 Julie GardnerLeave a comment

Well, this was all done a bit backwards seeing as I finished decorating a month ago, but I still wanted to publish the sample board and floorplan I put together for our bedroom. Gilhoolie Designs is working out to be a great place for me to keep track of my ‘work’ and build up my portfolio.

Enough of interior design though, I’ve just received more fabric to make a beanbag so I need to get out the sewing machine. Watch this space for photos of a more girly beanbag with pink stitching!

Decorating Projects · Interior Design · Soft Furnishings

Where is the bed?!

May 4, 2011February 8, 2025 Julie GardnerLeave a comment

Well, the three weeks of the Easter holidays were glorious but it’s good to be back making things again (not how I was feeling yesterday, it’s weird being in the house on my own again!) I finished the runner and one of the cushions for our bedroom today and I was dying to post them on my blog so here they are. There will be two cushions when I’ve finished and they’ll go on the bed but I was trying to be artistic with the shot in the garden and it looks good on the chair too.

So that’s the bedroom all done (except for the bedding, hence still no photo of the bed, sorry!) I must say it is very calming and I’m really pleased with the design. Now onto making a beanbag for a friend (my first commission, thanks Sandi!) and thinking about decorating the living room. I’m also going to try and master Adobe Illustrator as I’ve heard it’s good for textile design, busy busy…

Decorating Projects · Interior Design

Our bedroom, a calming gooseberry fool!

April 13, 2011April 25, 2025 Julie Gardner

Okay, so it’s true, I am no decorator but I do like seeing the results of all that hard work (well, a few days painting and a day wallpapering). So I thought I’d post a few pictures here even though it’s not quite finished (I’m waiting for the fabric for the cushions). I know it’s hard to tell from my amateur photos but the walls are a really calming green (gooseberry fool apparently) which goes really well with the white fireplace and amara wallpaper on the wall behind the bed. I’ll post a picture of the cushions in a few weeks hopefully, plus I’d like to re-cover the tub chair but I’m not sure whether I’m up to the challenge!

Decorating Projects · Interior Design

I’m no decorator…

March 30, 2011February 8, 2025 Julie GardnerLeave a comment

This week I am mostly decorating….. (our bedroom) As usual it’s taking far longer than I expected and I just want to do the fun bits so I thought I’d put them on here while I have a break from painting.

I’m kind of cheating a bit by putting together a sample board as I go along but sometimes it’s easier that way and I can because it’s for me. I haven’t based it on a mood board but on a wallpaper I liked.

Amara is a wallpaper from John Lewis which is a ‘folk inspired floral pattern in an illustrative style, with accents of vivid citrus’.

This will go on a feature wall behind the bed with the rest of the walls a pale gooseberry fool green colour.

I’m going to make cushions next week and I’m probably going to go for this Romo fabric from their Casson collection. It’s a 1950s inspired geometric print (see, I told you they were in at the moment).
Romo Quadra is a striking geometric design printed on linen. I realise the wallpaper and fabric I’ve chosen don’t go brilliantly well on a computer screen but they look good in real life, honest. The pink compliments the green in the rest of the room and I really like mixing floral designs with geometric patterns. I’ll put an update on here once the room is finished, soon I hope…

romo quadra dahlia — Romo quadra fabric in dahlia

I’ve bought an ivory mirror from Laura Ashley to go above the fireplace. At the moment I’m thinking about painting the woodwork an ivory colour too but not quite decided yet.

That’s it for now, I’m hoping to make lampshades myself but that’s another project for another day…