Thanks again everyone for your comments, they really are appreciated.
JohnC, I believe the room will be coloured to a warm medium oak colour. I'm hoping it won't be too dark as I did a large job in London last summer which was (at the customers request) stained almost black. It made it very hard to make out the detail in the carving, but the customer's always right I guess! Lol
John Fenna, Thats very kind of you, I won't tell your nephew-in-law you said it though! Lol Is he self employed, or does he work for a firm? And do you have any links to his work? I'd love to see some! You know it's going to be quality work when someone's asking the ex head of the KGB to part with money for it! Lol
bushwhacker bob, it is English oak, I think it's the lighting and my cr#ppy phone camera making it look lighter than it is. And yep, exactly right, stick the paper on and cut out the waste back to the lines. Then shape and detail the rest. Despite the dramatic look of the finished piece, I think most people who are competent with a chisel could accomplish something similar.
Toddy, I've done quite a few jobs like this over the last 2 or 3 years though I still consider myself a beginner with regards to carving. I'm actually an antique restorer by trade specializing in 16th-18th century oak furniture, so most of the carving I do reflects the styles of these dates and is in period houses. I think the study will look quite spectacular from the plans I've seen, wish I could afford it too, I'll have to wait till I retire and make my own! Lol
ZEbbEDY, it just takes practise mate, if you're ever in north Derbyshire you'll have to pop in for a brew.
Erdbeereis, with the design and making I think about 15 days (8 hour days).
I forgot to show some close ups of the punch work in the background, I'll dig some out and post them tomorrow.
Cheers
Mat