THE TRANSFORMATION OF A TUSCAN RECEPTION ROOM: Hand painted trompe l'oeil columns, friezes and architectural details, frame idealised Italian views. Together they change a blank space into an elegant Tuscan reception room.

DETAIL: My aim was to create an elegant reception room from a space that had been stripped of all period detail in a 1970's renovation.

"La scala delle ninfe" The villa's staircase was somewhat less impressive than expected, so I painted statues of nymphs above whom were garlands of oak leaves. Their subtly gilded details glimmered in the light and gave richness to a very simple colour scheme.