Back in September or October, a strange and wonderful thing happened. I received an email, which started off a conversation, which went something like this:
Her: Hello, hello. My name is Melanie. I am a professional painter and decorative artist. I have been reading your blog. And I have a blog, too.
Me: You’re not by chance the Melanie of Modello Designs, are you?
Her: Well, yes I am actually. I was writing you to see…
Me: (interrupting her) Oh, I love your work…so intricate, so feminine, so fresh.
Her: Oh thank you. I was writing you to see if a group of decorative artists and I could come and help custom stencil and paint some beautiful designs on your walls or ceilings at Peacock Pavilions.
Me: What?
Her: We would do it for free.
Me: What?
Her: Yes, you see, every year for the last few years, we have been picking a house -- a palazzo in Italy, for example -- that we make the subject of a painting and stenciling trip. This year I thought it would be fun if we could come help paint Peacock Pavilions.
Me: What?
Her: We could paint/stencil just about whatever designs you wish. You would be our pro bono client. What do you think?
Me: Is this some kind of trick question?
Her: What?
Me: Did my rascal-y brother put you up to this?
Her: What?
Me: Am I on one of those hidden camera shows?
Her: Ummm....No, no.
Me: Well, in that case…… all I can say is……..yes, yes.
And so dear friends, they are coming. In May. Peacock Pavilions won’t be quite ready yet but Melanie says that if there are beds to sleep in, electricity, plumbing and good food…….that that might be quite enough. And Melanie is flying out for a consultation next month. Next month. Imagine......Peacock Pavilion guests sleeping under a gorgeous hand stenciled ceiling or two....... And you won't believe what we are painting.........?! Click here to see the inspiration. So, so lovely. Am I or am I not, the luckiest girl in the world?
Melanie's other beautiful projects and stencils in images above and below. The stencils she develops for Peacock Pavilions will also be available to the public. eeeek, I am so excited that I could just about pee in my pants except, ahem, that wouldn't be polite:) 
