Muzzling The Still Prevalent Decorator in this Author’s Head

Writing the setting is more than a little problematic for me and that is due to the decorator in me wanting to detail the history of each room from the English Renaissance to the Late Neoclassic period. The decorator in me wants to regale the reader with elements from master architects and early interior designers to fill their heads with imagery of from the works of Hepplewhite, Chippendale and Jones.



I don’t fight the urge, instead I write it all down and then in the way of a good decorator, I return to my storyboard and customize the space for the people inhabiting it. In the end, I have yards of Indian silks, storerooms of Chinese vases, and French knick-knacks left over because they don't fit the character's space.



Often, I simply choose a piece I feel relates to a particular character and that’s all that’s really mentioned of the space. I did that for my second novel, Leeds, where my hero has an antique Italian campaign daybed in his little office.

I give the basic layout of the fireplace relative to the placement of desk, chairs and windows but the main focus of the room is the daybed in the corner. He rekindles his love for our heroine on that daybed. I'm decadant in a lush space using colour and light to fill the rooms while opting for brief descriptives for meagerly dressed rooms. It works brilliantly. Just imagine a room with a small worn armoir, thick dusty curtains and an unyielding, serviceable bed. Enough said, yes.

All my very best,

Simone