Nelson Mandela - the icon for world peace has died

Nelson Mandela has died, aged an impressive 95 years of age and school children around the world will be called to assembly to hear more of this man's most incredible life.

I watched his walk to freedom on 11 February 1990 on television. I was at Wembley on 16 April 1990 for the International Tribute for a Free South Africa concert... one of the most moving moments of my life. He walked onto the stage and he was unable to speak for a full eight minutes and we cheered, and cried and chanted. And all the while, he had that serene, humble smile radiating brilliant joy and happiness and love.  

He fought, he never gave up and he changed the lives of millions forever. 

His great friend Ahmed Kathrada, with whom he shared his prison sentence on Robben Island couldn't say it any better... "We have known each other for 67 years, and I never imagined I’d be witness to the unavoidable and traumatic reality of your passing. I had the enviable privilege of being alive and walking the earth with you through the bad times and the good. It has been a long walk, with many challenges that at times seemed insurmountable. And yet we never faltered, and the strength of leaders like you and Walter (Sisulu, the ANC Secretary General) always shone a light on the path and kept our destination and our people’s future in view."

We will never, ever forget...

> Colliss & Quinton - in the press

Two of our Colliss & Quinton (sister company to Funky Little Darlings) wallcoverings are featured on a 6 page spread in the January 2014 issue of "Self Build & Design" magazine. 

Clive and Denise Wells saw some of our designs in an Ideal Home feature and came to meet us to discuss their 17th century listed property in Devon. Pear Tree Cottage is as you would expect a traditional cottage to look, until you get to the conservatory. Bang up to date and greeting 21st century modernity in style. All glass and views, Natuzzi sofas, grey granite surfaces, a mini kitchen and our wallpapers. Our "Abstract No.1" with soft greys, acid yellow and aubergine runs the width of the linking corridor and our "Renaissance" in smokey ink and gold tones is in the new kitchen. 

We visited the cottage in summer 2012 and it really does look stunning. Clive, the more conservative of the two, said Denise brought him kicking and screaming into the 21st century... and he is so glad she did! So much so, they are now re-working the original part of the house to reflect the new, having become "addicted to spending time in the lighter, brighter, open-plan space".

> Fluoro Dandelion wall stickers...

These are flying out the door - a bit of colour to brighten up the December gloom?  Our Fluoro Dandelion and Cowparsley wall stickers. 

They look glorious on an inky grey or a deep taupe wall too! Lovely!