The wallpaper had only been up for a couple of weeks when the bedroom was suddenly flooded from above. The first surge of water tore down the newly decorated walls. The rest puddled into a heavy pool over the ceiling, bound to burst its banks at any moment.

The workman who came to inspect the damage warned us that it would take 27 months to complete the full repair. All that could be salvaged from this mess was a pair of heavy blue curtains.