THINK BIG

The American love of dressing up front doors has hopped the Atlantic to the UK, and Chester resident Alison Inglis is among those leading the charge

- Kate Houghton

Twelve years ago, Alison Inglis visited Boston, in the USA, for a wedding and was impressed by the way the city’s residents had all decorated their front doors for autumn.

“It was incredible, really amazing, and there was no-one doing it back here,” she says. “Buying in from the USA was really expensive, so I just thought I would start making my own.”

She began around four years ago, when planning a Hallowe’en party for her son. It seemed to her that a huge themed wreath for the front door was precisely what was needed, but she could find nothing in the shops or online in the UK, so decided to solve the problem by constructing her own.

“I bought loads of skulls and Hallowe’en bits and really went to town. After that I made my own Christmas wreath and then a spring wreath. Where we live in Chester we’re close to the Racecourse and lots of dog walkers come past. I would always have a huge wreath on my door and people started knocking to ask where I had bought it. I began taking orders just from this, and then a friend suggested I set up a page on Etsy – it’s a retail website a little like eBay, but for crafty types. You can find wonderful, unusual gifts, things for the home, fashion and jewellery on there. It’s perfect for someone like me, who is creative but not too business-like.”