Design Consultation Service
We offer the following consultations as part of our Design Service:
Home, Showroom, and Virtual Design Consultations
Do you want to modernise or redecorate your home? If you're looking for ideas or suggestions, we're here to help! Our Design Consultation service will help you collaborate with our Interior Design Consultant to create unique interiors that are personalised to your lifestyle, taste, and budget. Whilst our fabric is the core of our business, we so also provide a Made to Measure service that enables you to acquire everything you need under one roof.
There can be a lot of decisions to make: made to measure curtains or roman blinds, dark colours, or neutrals, plains or patterns, classic or contemporary - but with our passion and knowledge, we can help you make the right choices for your home that you will love for many years to come. For this service, we offer three different methods:
Showroom Design Consultation
Over the years, many of our very happy customers have created specific design schemes with our Interior Design Consultant. Working on a one-to-one basis, it is truly a bespoke, tailor made service created just for you. An advantage of visiting our showroom is the opportunity to speak with us directly about your projects, view all of our fabrics, soft furnishings, as well as test out our furniture display pieces. In addition, we can give you advice on lead times, colour schemes, and guide you on how to measure for curtains and blinds etc. This is a really customised service which is provided to you free of charge if you visit us in person. Please contact us by phone or email to make an appointment to meet with our consultant, Tania. If you are travelling far, here is a handy list of all the surrounding car park; our recommendations would be the Beeches long stay car park.
Home Design Consultation
In addition to our showroom consultations, Tania is also available to visit customers who live near to Cirencester for Home Design Consultations. She can walk you through design possibilities in your home and assist with helping on measuring for curtains and blinds. She will be equipped with all of our fabric books and up to date brochures, so together you can go through all of the ideas from scratch; see below some of our customer testimonials and feedback. A home design consultation with us will cost £100; this fee is redeemable if you make an order with us following the visit. Please phone or email us to make an appointment so that Tania may come by on a time and day that works best for you.
Virtual Consultation
If you live too far away, or are unable to visit us in person, then we offer free of charge virtual design consultations, which have grown in popularity since lockdown. You can speak with Tania, our Design Consultant, for 30 minutes via WhatsApp video, during which time you can show her around your home and go over fabric options. Clair can roll out the suggested fabrics on the worktop for you to see since she will be based here in the showroom during your call. This has been hugely successful, and the fact that it is free makes it even better! See for yourself by reading the reviews from our very happy customers who used the virtual consultations below! Book your appointment onlinetoday. If you cannot find a suitable time available on the online calendar, please phone us and we can try arrange something more convenient.
Here are tips on decorating with patterns and our tips for decorating with stripes see inspirational photographs of our collections in situ that include the following examples:
Customer Reviews - Virtual Consultations
Pamela
Very positive consultation, listened to my thoughts and initial ideas and gave many options to think about. Tania was very approachable and took me out of my comfort zone as well, which was brilliant. The samples arrived the following day and now spending time looking in all light conditions. Hopefully will be ordering soon. Many thanks, really enjoyed the whole process. Thank you Tania.
Cathy
Tania was most helpful, very efficient and friendly. It helped too showing me items actually in situ in your store. I now look forward to trying the samples in my lounge. Many thanks!
Jan
Perfect support with knowing how to make my old family pouffe turn into something beautiful and bespoke using the new fabric at Vanessa Arbuthnott. Thank you. I’m looking forward to receive my fabric samples.
Liz
Tania was extremely helpful, looking for solutions to a tricky window layout. She seemed to understand my personal design preferences and her advice on fabric choice was spot on.
Kelly
I had an excellent experience with Tania at Vanessa Arbuthnott Fabrics. The fabric choices were brilliant, and the designs and ideas exceeded my expectations. Although I'm in Canada, never did I expect to have that level of service. The remote assistance provided was invaluable, and the time spent ensuring everything was perfect was greatly appreciated. I am looking forward to featuring these designs in my French cottage renovation. Highly recommend!
Rita
It was great to have the opportunity to talk plans through with someone so knowledgeable and who could help me understand themes and how to make the fabrics work together. Look forward to finalising a design in due course. Thank you.
Geva
I have had brilliant service from all the team at Vanessa Arbuthnott - from sending samples, changing orders and now help with paint colours. The whole team have been incredibly helpful.
Karen
Very helpful virtual consultation to discuss fabric options for a curtain and blind. Samples arrived in under 24 hours!
Natalie
Such a great help in assisting me with a colour scheme, putting all the colours together, and showing me how they all went together.
Marion
Excellent would recommend in a heartbeat!
Elizabeth
I found Tania very helpful as she gave me different ideas for fabrics and colours. The post interview fabric samples were also very helpful.
Jo-Ann
Excellent knowledge. Great directions, to enable one to make wow choice’s. Big thank you, will of made 9 Roman blinds and 2 pairs of curtains by March ‘24
Janet
Clair (our previous consultant), really understands our needs and her honest opinion has helped us solve our interior scheme conundrums.
Amanda
Absolutely superb, efficient and friendly service that is so lacking in 2023. Well done
Alison
I enjoyed my consultation as much as I thought I would. Clair, (our previous consultant), really understood the look I want to achieve, I am looking forward to receiving the samples and suggestions and look forward to working together. Cannot recommend highly enough.
Liz
I was very pleased with the way Clair, (our previous consultant), took on board what could and could not be changed instantly. She worked with what I had with helpful suggestions as to what might "lift" my room and make the area cohesive.
Jane
I just wanted to thank Clair, (our previous consultant), for all her support in helping us choose new curtains and cushions. The design service is excellent. I was able to show our lounge to her, talk through ideas and address the room as a whole, not just curtains. Clair has also recommended some paints for the walls which has been so great. I love the designs, service, quality, friendliness and enjoy the whole process. Many thanks.
Gemma
Fantastic service. It really opened my eyes to options I had not considered before. I highly recommend this.
Antonia
Clair, (our previous consultant), was just lovely. She had an array of fab ideas for my kitchen, was really considerate, warm and friendly and took the time to listen to my requirements. I am excited to see the samples arriving in the post in the next few days and looking forward to getting my order finalised. Thank you Clair!
Angela
Lots of ideas. Created some great debate. Would highly recommend.
Lynne Eddy
I loved having the chance to share my project ideas with Clair, (our previous consultant), and really appreciated her suggestions to bring them all together.
Elizabeth
Clair, (our previous consultant), was extremely professional, making many sensible suggestions and offering a further consultation to talk through the various options presented to me. This is the second time I have made use of this service and I would highly recommend it.
Linda
The meeting over the phone was very informative and friendly, Clair, (our previous consultant), was really knowledgeable and gave me some lovely ideas. I wish I had contacted her earlier.
Hannah
Exceeded expectations. Clair, (our previous consultant), was knowledgeable, friendly and exactly what I was hoping for! She blended listening and offering her expertise perfectly - a Wonder Woman!
Deirdre
Clair, (our previous consultant), was very helpful and listened to what I wanted. She has made very interesting suggestions for fabric choices and curtain blind designs that I wouldn't have considered without her ideas. She is very good and the consultation was fun.
Alicia
Really great service and the free consultation was extremely helpful. Love the colours and patterns, so can't wait for the final curtains.
Sam
Clair, (our previous consultant), was so helpful and took the time to understand what I was trying to achieve with my home improvements. I’m looking forward to her advice.
Fiona
Extremely helpful, professional service. Clair, (our previous consultant), was friendly and quickly put me at ease, she was clearly knowledgeable and very quickly understood what was missing and the look that I was hoping to achieve.
Cherry
The consultation helped me to sort out my dilemmas over my curtains. Clair, (our previous consultant), was extremely helpful and gave me excellent advice. An incredibly prompt quote and replies to queries.
Sarah
Clair, (our previous consultant), came up with some great ideas during our WhatsApp video consultation and samples arrived within 2 days as promised. I now have definite choices for the rooms in my extension.
Catherine
We found Clair, (our previous consultant), extremely helpful. It was a joy to discuss our plans and ask her advice.
Karen
I had a lovely consultation with Clair, (our previous consultant). She very quickly understood what I was wanting and was very helpful and thoughtful with advice on curtain/blind style and showing me fabric that would suit my living room/dining room in the colours I was wanting. She sent me samples of different fabrics which arrived the very next morning in the post. I am having a think about them and will be back in touch with Clair soon. It was great to be able to have a WhatsApp video call as I am not near to Cirencester. Thank you!
Diane
The curtains arrived yesterday and are now up and looking very smart. I am incredibly happy with them. Thank you so much for your advice and attention. It has been a pleasure.
Angela
Clair, (our previous consultant), had ideas which I had not thought about. Loved her thoughts on colour and patterns for me to use in my projects relating to what I already have. Very pleased with the call. She was extremely helpful. Thank you.
Caroline
I found Clair's, (our previous consultant), decisiveness a relief in the face of so much choice. She pointed out things I hadn't thought of - in terms of visually linking pieces of furniture with accent colours. Talking to her really clarified what I wanted and she is sending me samples and larger pieces to try in the post. Hope to place my order soon :)
Jinny
I thought Clair, (our previous consultant), the designer, had a very open manner & was easy to speak with. She asked relevant questions to ascertain my ideas for the bedroom, listened well and then advised, checking her recommendations were within the remit. The whole experience was incredibly useful & enjoyable. Thank you!
Alison
Clair's, (our previous consultant), expertise was invaluable. She was helpful, patient and cheerful. Before our zoom call I had felt overwhelmed by choices and ready to give up. I'm so glad she was there to help.
Jane
The WhatsApp design appointment with Clair, (our previous consultant), was excellent. She had read my brief fully and came up with several great fabric combinations for my scheme. I liked them all! But was able to pin point a favourite and samples arrived within a couple of days. Great service and very helpful in my project planning. I can highly recommend to anyone looking for some guidance on the best colour combinations to choose.
Katie
Clair, (our previous consultant), was extremely helpful. We have a slightly tricky project but she was knowledgeable and gave me several options. I’m looking forward to moving forward and seeing the finished windows now in the gorgeous fabric that I’ve chosen.
Hilary
Clair, (our previous consultant), was very knowledgeable and quickly assessed what I wanted to achieve and made some great suggestions. A very worthwhile 30 minutes which has really helped me to move my project forward. Really pleased with the sample suggestions she subsequently sent me.
Kathryn
I found the meeting with Clair, (our previous consultant), really helpful and was surprised how well the online appointment worked. She quickly got a sense of the room I wanted to rework and also picked up a sense of what colours and patterns I liked. The conversation gave me confidence to continue with my project. She was also very efficient in following up our conversation with sending samples. I feel inspired to visit the shop and get on with the next stage of planning. Thank you.
Lucinda
I enjoyed my half hour video appointment with Clair, (our previous consultant), who is a really easy person to chat with. I wanted some ideas for a new look in my bedroom and she picked up on all the (many!) things in there which are both a hindrance and a help in selecting a new scheme.
Hilary
Clair, (our previous consultant), was very helpful & knowledgeable in advising me. Nothing was too much trouble, and she was patient and kind throughout our session despite internet problems my end! I found her expertise in interior design & professional skill invaluable. I look forward to the curtains & cushions transforming this room. Many thanks.
Susan
I absolutely loved my half hour consultation with Clair, (our previous consultant), from the Vanessa Arbuthnott team. I found it so inspiring to talk to her about our room and the fabric choices she suggested and am now eagerly awaiting my fabric samples. She was so helpful with many aspects of our room design and the video phone call worked really well for showing the room layout, colours and windows. I now can’t wait to get started with my curtains and blinds.
Alice
Wonderful to speak to Clair, (our previous consultant). She is so knowledgeable and has really inspirational ideas. Makes the choosing of the fabric and the colour schemes such an enjoyable experience. Instils confidence. Thank you.
Customer Testimonials - Home Design Consultations
Alison and Stephen
It was amazing to have all the fabric samples in our home so we could consider all the various colour and pattern combinations. It’s a bit like bring the shop into our home. We have always love the Vanessa Arbuthnott fabric designs and had them in our various homes over the last twenty five years. We are now looking forward to continuing this tradition. Once again, thank you so much for your advice.
Sarah
Thank you SO much for being so helpful. I so enjoyed your call and the suggestions you made. It all makes much sense through your eyes. My husband was listening in from his office, (!) and was immediately enthused and raced down the stairs with tape measure in hand! Thank you to for the Merrick and Day link which I will explore and for ordering the samples which I look forward too. Then I had better get busy. No excuses. Huge thanks again.
Carole & David
We have been so happy with the results of the Arbuthnott design consultation. We were struggling to find the right look for our 1930's stone house that we were in the process of renovating. Clair, (our previous consultant), talked us through the different aspects of design and styles that she felt would both suit the house and our preferences. She was very patient when we were indecisive with colour and patterns, and gave us large enough samples to picture the finished curtains, and time to make the right choices.
When it came to ordering, she measured the curtains and blinds taking all the stress from us making an expensive mistake. We are so pleased with the finished room; it finally looks dressed and fits in with our relaxed life style. We will be using the design service and her expertise to help with the rest of our house.
Sue
I had visited the shop several times trying to narrow down which styles and colour schemes would be suitable for my new orangery and an upstairs bedroom. As the orangery was half built at the time, I found it hard to picture how it could be and was unsure where to start with a new and empty space. I liked the range of materials within a colourway and was inspired by the catalogue to put different materials from the same range together in the room and I decided to start the design of the room with the materials but was unsure of my choices. Clair, (our previous consultant), came out to have a look at the two spaces and was a huge help. In the bedroom she considered the way the light entered the room and had the excellent idea to have a roman blind on a smaller window to make the space look bigger. She advised on the size and shape of the lampshades to fit the space and knew which materials from a slightly different range went well with my original choice. She competently measured the windows which I always find stressful, and gave good advice about linings etc.
She gave me confidence in my choices for the orangery, a great relief to me, and had very useful suggestions for which blinds to go for and how and where they would be operated from. With her measurements and advice on overlaps for the large windows I felt much more confident buying the long window poles required and had a better idea in my head as to how they would sit when drawn back.
I am delighted with the finished results; I feel that the rooms have an overall harmony while at the same time provide a range of designs that make it more interesting for the eye. The Home Design Consultation was invaluable to me as it gave me confidence in my choices and took away the worry of the technical details. She kept in touch with information as to how the order was progressing and was friendly and reassuring throughout.
Karyn
I really enjoyed my consultation with Clair, (our previous consultant), she was helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. I am very much looking forward to receiving samples to look at and excited about my new bedroom. I am already planning another session to find some blinds for my kitchen, a project I have put off for too long due to a lack of confidence in choosing the fabric myself. Thank you!
View our testimonials that we have gathered, and click the Reviews tab below to read more from our happy customers.
