Nestled in a secluded corner of our garden, under a thick thatched roof is my Shepherd’s Hut.

I asked the local forester, John Harman, to add its characterful thatched roof. The hut had been perched in a local garden when we found it, looking a little unloved. We agreed to transport the hut to its current position, shaded by the silver birch trees and overlooking a little pond.

Melissa White, who we have worked with on many projects, stayed for a week to paint the walls and ceiling. We had a great time looking at old American folk art and coming up with the designs for the hut.

A dado rail divides the panelled walls, painted with a mythical landscape above bright-blue waters, with rolling hills and pear trees. Below are vivid red cartouches which have been decorated with joyful jugs of flowers and leaping horses.

The sofa is upholstered in my ‘Friendly Folk’ fabric for Andrew Martin. This fabric sits perfectly with Molly Mahon’s hand blocked ‘Oak’ linen in Green Natural on the curtains. There is even a hand painted, theatrical dog kennel for my Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

Topped off by a Lapis Lazuli starry sky, this charming folly is a perfect retreat to hide with pencil and paper to work on the next new idea, accompanied by my five dogs of course!