A TAVISTOCK woman who turned a hobby into a business has had her home featured in a national magazine.

Six pages of the March edition of 'Your Home' and part of the front page are dedicated to Kay Gawman and her home at The Heights, which she has filled with her painted furniture.

Kay sells her furniture through A-Scent-Sation florist shop in Tavistock and it was spotted by a magazine photographer visiting the town with his wife one Sunday.

'They were so taken with the beauty of the flowers mixed with the 'shabby chic' furniture that on the Monday they phoned the owner,' said Kay.

'They wanted to know who had done all the delicate pastel furniture as they felt it was very photogenic.'

It so happened that Kay's modern home, built in 2007, was full of the type of pieces which had caught the eye of the photographer and so one day last summer that's where the photo shoot and interview took place.

The article explains how Kay began experimenting by painting and distressing second-hand, dark wood furniture with soft, neutral shades and was delighted with the results.

Soon friends were asking her to work on items for them too and she now has a small but thriving business.

The spread features many rooms of the house and tips for bringing Kay's style into your own home.

Kay said she was delighted with the article:

'Because I source everything locally I was able to name local companies like the Tavistock Picture Framing Gallery, Tavistock Carpets, Ward and Chowen Auction Rooms, Refurnish and of course 'A-Scent-Sation',' she said.

'I had no idea I was going to appear on the front cover and it's very strange seeing myself on magazine shelves.

Kay added that she was pleased the feature had given a boost to Tavistock trade but above all it had made her 'very proud' of her beautiful home.