I have today been sent the details of one William Miller an interior designer who has branched out from dishing up luxury homes to dishing up luxury yachts. Few details about this talented fellow, have I been spared. I am told that he was born in California’s Bay Area, and raised on a ‘thoroughbred horse ranch’ in Wyoming, before studying interior design and public relations at a college in Arizona.

He has now settled ‘comfortably’ in Palm Desert, California, where he lives with Spike, his 20lb ‘but mostly harmless’ Maine Coon cat, while he concentrates on the ‘balance between efficiency and hedonism’ which his parents maintained. He is now one of the most sought-after designers in the ‘upscale resort communities’ of Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, and Palm Springs.

He travels extensively for inspiration, but more often than not to Venice, and Positano on Italy’s Amalfi coast. His appreciation for great design is obvious, from his prized possession, a restored classic 1956 Lincoln Mark II, and even in his wardrobe, which he somewhat sheepishly admits is ‘extensive’ and includes Armani, Roberto Cavalli and Etro. ‘I take huge pride in how I present myself,’ says the designer. ‘It re-assures my clients.’

Bill says: ‘I see myself as a facilitator, part counsellor, part teacher, part peacemaker. I like working with clients who are partners on the journey. I assist them in getting what they want and where they want to be, and I take great pride in that.’

Bill is obviously hungry for work and I have today emailed him with my contact details. I can offer a partnership on the journey to my Contessa 32. I can facilitate him out to her in the pulling dinghy, even making sure there’s a spare pair of oily strides in case the thwart is wet. For counselling, the barman of the nearby Plough & Sail is an expert at listening to hard luck stories. For teaching, there’s no finer sage than Ian the white-weeder who rakes the sea-bed for sea growths which he then dyes green and flogs to Japan and the US….for interior decor. As for peacemaking we just need to pay the fees due at the end of the year or face the ragged barrels of the sawn-off 12 bores that Essex boatyard proprietors keep to hand in these parts.

Over to you Bill.