Sibyl Colefax. Lady Colefax began decorating in 1930. She was well-connected and also ahead of her time: her circle of friends and acquaintances provided her with clients and she became a very successful businesswoman. British diplomat Harold Nicolson wrote in his diary: ‘Lunch with Sibyl Colefax at Boulestin. She tells me that she has made £2,000 last year by her own efforts. She gets up by candle-light and fusses till midnight. A brave woman’. Sibyl’s talent for creating comfortable interiors that were stylish but never pretentious was the secret of her appeal to her influential clients. She was friendly with royalty, including the Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson, with entertainers such as Charlie Chaplin and Cole Porter, and with much of the British aristocracy. When, in 1938, her services were so in demand that she needed to expand, she asked a rising young star of interior decorating, John Fowler, to join her in her business at Bruton Street in Mayfair. In 1939, the company name was changed to Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler. Just a short history & resumé of the world renowned Sybil Colefax & John Fowler, in interior decorating!! This superb Chintz fabric called "Radmore" chintz I used recently used for a clients conservatory. to make a tented pleated ceiling. This particular design and I would rather " re christen " as Lilac" is amongst approx. 10 other classic chintzes which have been in the Colefax & Fowler collection since the early 30's and are still as popular as when they were first designed by Sybil Colefax.. You would not have thought that the darkish blue shade with brown lilac blooms and brown petunias would work, but they are in perfect harmony together. And co-incidentally the shop in Bruton Street in Mayfair is still their head quarters and shop and when you enter the boutique it is like " a different world of the past". The chintz can either be used for light upholstery, but more importantly for lined and interlined curtains, swag and tails ,Austrian blinds, Roman blinds etc. If you are and have been a fervent follower ( passionate and enthusiastic ) supporter of the English traditional look here is your chance to own a piece of English history. Lastly I have checked the prices of chintz on line with Colefax & Fowler and they range from around £ 145 to £ 195 p.m.