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Portwenn Online
A Magical Cornish Village
Doc Martin is
IN
Living Room
The living room in the surgery was not used all that much when Martin was single.  It had a very
expensive looking leather sofa along with his antiques.  Often, we only got glimpses from the kitchen
to see the furnishings.

Starting in Series 6 we see the room as much more of a family room.
Click photos to enlarge - click again to close
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Here is a layout of the Living Room starting in
Series 2.

In Series 1 there were only a few scenes shot in
this room and they used the room inside
Fern Cottage (the cottage used for the exteriors
and the entrance).

For the start of Series 2 they had constructed the
sets for the kitchen and living room.

See the first section below for the views of the
room in Series 1.
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Living Room Overview
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Here are some overview shots of the Living Room from various series.
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Series 2
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Series 3
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Series 4
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Series 5
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Series 6
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Series 7
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Series 8
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Series 1
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For Series 1, Buffalo Pictures constructed sets for the Consulting Room and the Waiting room.  
For the Kitchen, I suspect that they filmed in the kitchen of a cottage somewhere in Port
Isaac - there were only a handful of scenes from the Kitchen in Episodes 1, 3 and 5.  For the
Living Room, they used the actual room in Fern Cottage - the cottage used for the exteriors
and scenes of the vestibule when the door is opened.  They also had only a handful of scenes
in the Living Room - in Episodes 1, 2 and 5:












When they came back for Series 2, sets had been constructed for both the Kitchen and Living
Room.  They did a good job of matching parts of the rooms.  For the Kitchen, the windows and
counter along the back of the room, the back door, the door to the hall heading over to the
Consulting Room all were pretty good matches.  For the Living Room, they matched the bay
window, the French door, the fireplace, the door to the vestibule.  The major change they made
for both rooms was the wall connecting the two rooms - they opened it up - a big change from
Series 1, but a wise decision that has served them well ever since Series 2.
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Below are the best shots we got of the Living Room in Series 1.  The two images in the center (with red frames) are
photos of the actual room in Fern Cottage - taken from their website as it is a holiday let.  I added colored circles to
show where the different parts of the room match up - door, front bay window, French door, fireplace, shelves next to
the fireplace, and back wall of the room.
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Episode 1
  • Talking to Bert, Al and Elaine about Susan Brading
  • Taking a clock out of a box and the dog jumps through the window
  • Repacking boxes and Bert comes in through the French door to ask the Doc to stay

Episode 2
  • Martin standing in the doorway while courier uses the loo

Episode 5
  • Martin working at table in the window when Melanie appears at the French door with a dog
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Front Right Corner
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There is always some piece of furniture in this corner and it is often partially
hidden behind the open door (the door is rarely closed).  There are usually
several items on top of whatever piece of furniture is there.  In Series 2 it was a
tall Asian chest with a black and white framed picture leaning against the wall and
several books lying on their sides.
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Series 2
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For this series the same Asian chest was in the corner, but with different items on
top.  This series there was a model sailing ship and a wooden clock.  The clock
was first seen in the first episode of Series 1 when Martin was unpacking (as he
picked up this clock the dog jumped through the window).  In Series 2 the clock
was on the Living Room fireplace mantel.
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Series 3
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The Asian chest remain and has new items on top.  The round wooden lamp was
originally on the fireplace mantel in Series 3, but there must have been a pair of
them, because in the same scene in Episode 6 we can see one on the mantel and
one on the Asian chest.  The White Buddha has been moved here from the
Consulting Room in Series 2 & 3.  There is also what appears to be a wicker
basket and a framed painting leaning against the wall.
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Series 4
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A new wooden cabinet in the corner, but it's not new - it was the one that was in
the back corner of the Consulting Room since the Series 2 Christmas Special.  
This is the cabinet that the movers were bumping into the door frame at the end
of Series 4, so it has magically returned from London!

On top is a tall metal lamp with a red shade and a lighthouse.  There is a framed
painting, but this time it is actually been hung on the wall.
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Series 5
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Martin and Louisa are now married and there have been a lot of changes to this
room for the new family.  There is now a short wooden cabinet in this corner.  On
top is a brass lamp with red shade that is a match for one in the Consulting Room
this series, a small brown bottle of some sort, and a pile of workbooks with one of
James' toys on top.

For some reason, in Episode 5 there is a new piece of furniture.  This one is wider
and has a lighter finish.  The brown bottle and notebooks are still on top, but a
new goose neck lamp and some type of decorative wooden box have been added.
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Series 6
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The tall wooden chest from Series 5 is back in the corner.  On top is a mid-century
looking green ceramic lamp.  There are also several books, a pair of metal
bookends (Scottie dogs maybe?), and the small Buddha head that first appeared
in the Consulting Room in Series 4 and then in the Kitchen hutch in Series 6.
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Series 7
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These are the pieces of furniture and decor items that we can see in this room during Series 1.
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These three pieces are ones that we
will see again.  The dark clock will be
in the Consulting Room in Series 3,
the lighter clock shows up in the
Living Room in Series 2 and
the Asian chest sticking up from
one of the boxes will be in the
Consulting Room in Series 2.
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Below are the pieces we have never seen again.  The console table that Martin uses as a desk, the framed picture (a
collection of something?) sitting by the window when he is unpacking - and later we see hanging on the back wall, and
the upholstered chair or sofa along the back wall.
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Notice the new wallpaper on the
front wall - Louisa's touch?
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Starting in Episode 5
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For Series 8 there has been no change to this corner.  The same wooden chest,
lamp, books, bookends, small Buddha head.  The only additions are several of
James' toys (there are more as the series progresses) and a teacup.
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Series 8
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Bay Window
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In Series 2, 3 & 4 there are no pieces of furniture in the window bay.  The only
thing there is a radiator.
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Series 2 - 4
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In Series 5 Dr Dibbs had added a wooden chair on one side of the bay window.  In
Episodes 2 and the first half of Episode 3 we can also see a floor lamp with a floral
shade.  In the last scene of Episode 3, when Martin is reading to James, the lamp
is gone and we don't see it again, but the chair remains for the full series.
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Series 5
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In Series 6, a small console table was added to the bay - possibly as a desk for
Louisa?  There are a number of items on it that are hard to identify, and it has a
pretty wooden chair.
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Series 6
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It appears to be the same table from the previous series.  There was only one
quick glance all series at this area and its difficult to make out the items on top.  
There seems to be a large wooden box in the middle, and I tried to match it to one
that we saw in the Consulting Room, but it's impossible to verify.
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Series 7
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There is a different table here in this series - you can see in the closeup that it's
a drop-leaf table.  I don't think it's the same one that was in the Consulting Room
the previous two series because it doesn't seem to have the same nice finish.
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Series 8
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Series 2
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Series 3
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Series 4
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Front Left Corner
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The Front Left Corner of the Living Room is an area that is not on screen very
often and is usually not well lit when we do see it.  There is the assumption of the
French door leading to the side patio - although the only time we have ever seen
it from the inside was when Melanie visited with her dog in Series 1, and that was
filmed in Fern Cottage itself.  There is a hanging wooden cabinet in the corner
(see picture on the left).

The only glimpse we had of this corner in Series 2 showed a wooden bench with a
burgundy cushion.
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Series 2
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We finally had some good looks at this corner.  There is a small wooden table
against the wall.  On top is a round wooden lamp that appears to be one of a pair
because there is a matching one on the mantel this series.  There is a small
framed print on the table leaning against the wall (this print was on the wall in the
Consulting Room in Series 1), and what appears to be a white telephone.  On the
wall above is a larger framed print.
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Series 3
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We have the same table this series, but with a tall lamp and the same white
phone.  A chair has been pulled up and an Asian chest sits on the table.  This
chest was seen in a few different areas of the Consulting Room during the first 3
series.  On the wall above are two matching rectangular framed prints.
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Series 4
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There is now a drop leaf table in this spot.  On top is a new lamp which seems to
be a different style than they usually use.  There is another object on the table, but
I can't make out what it might be.  The print on the wall above is the one that was
hanging on the wall in the back right corner in Series 4.
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Series 5
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As with the rest of the room, this area is all new for Series 6.  There is a round
wooden side table with a tall wooden lamp on top.  There is also a red circular box
and what appears to be some toys.  Next to the table is a green floral upholstered
chair.  The wall above has the same new wallpaper that has been added to the
front wall and the painting hanging there is the one that hung above the cabinet
in the front right corner in Series 5.

This did not change in Series 7 and 8, except that the table only contained the tall
wooden lamp.  In one episode of Series 8, the upholstered chair was missing.  In
one quick shot we also saw the round table that was by the sofa in Series 6 next to
the chair. (And firewood behind?)
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Series 6 - 8
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Series 6
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Series 8
Series 7
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Fireplace
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The Fireplace mantel usually contains several items.  Unfortunately, we never get a good shot of the entire length of the
mantel.   Sometimes we will see a shot from the vestibule and occasionally a shot from the kitchen.

I'll share every shot we have had of this area and try to identify as many pieces as possible.

Although they tried to replicate the fireplace in Fern Cottage, they did make the one in the Surgery much more formal.  
The one in Fern Cottage is all stone and has no mantel.  They duplicated the stone for the Surgery, but added a long
mantel and a classic wooden fireplace surround.
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We can see the whole mantel over a couple of shots this series. On the left is
some type of tribal art piece.  Next to it is a small framed picture, then a new
wooden clock, and the wooden ball lamp remains on the far right.  A new framed
picture hangs above.
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Series 3
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Only the left side of the mantel was visible in this series.  In two scenes the round
wooden lamp was near the left end, but in another it was missing.  On the end was
what looked like a rust colored pitcher.  Then maybe a white metal canister(?),
some books, and a new wooden clock.  Hanging above is another new print.
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Series 4
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The tribal art piece is back - and will remain there.  In the middle, in place of a
clock, is a carved wooden fish that sat in the Waiting Room in S1-S2.  On the right
is a new silver lamp with red shade.  Yet another new print hangs above.
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Series 5
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Just a couple of glimpses this whole series.  On the left appears a couple of
scattered books, and in the middle is the wooden clock that was first seen in the
first episode of Series 1 when Martin was unpacking (as he picked up this clock
the dog jumped through the window). To the right of the clock is some identified
object.  On the far right is a round wooden lamp that we often see in the living
room - in fact, I believe there are a pair of them.  A framed painting hangs above.
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Series 2
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Again this series we can only see the left side of the mantel, but we finally get a
couple of good looks at the base, the iron grate and the firebox.  The tribal art
piece is on the left, what looks like a ceramic artichoke, and the wooden clock we
first saw in Series 4.  For the first time there is no painting hanging above.
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Series 6
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I think we can see the whole mantel this series, and the left side is identical to last
series - the tribal art, the artichoke, the wooden clock.  To the right of the clock is
some type of covered vase, then a framed print, and on the far right is a tall
ceramic urn.  In one shot the tall urn has been moved over to the left side.  Again,
no art work hanging above.
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Series 7
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It seems that there is little changed this series.  The artichoke has been moved
over to the right and there is a new cobalt blue vase over near the left.  A couple
of unidentified objects (possibly toys?) are jammed between the other items.
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Series 8
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Back Left Corner
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After not getting even a peek at this corner the last two series, there is now a dark
wood hanging corner cabinet.  This doesn't leave room for displaying any pictures
on the fireplace wall, but there is always one on the short piece of wall backing up
to the kitchen.  The silver television is still there and appears to be sitting on a
wooden stool.  A large round medallion piece hangs on the wall.
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Series 5
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There was only one shot of this corner in Series 6 - when Mike was playing with
James on the floor.  No view of the upper part of the wall, but the television
appears to still be there (a black one now), this time on top of a wooden table.  
This table was in the Consulting Room in Series 3 and Series 5.  There's a wooden
magazine rack that we've never seen before.
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Series 6
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A new table is in the corner, this one had been across the room in the Front Right
Corner in the second half of Series 6.  On top is a brass lamp with a red shade, a
wooden box (this appears to be the same box from the Consulting Room in Series
2 & 3), and some books.  The television was gone in this series.  On the wall is a
small painting that hung in the Waiting Room in Series 5 and 6.   There is a chair
we haven't seen before against the wall - a wooden one with fabric inserts.
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Series 7
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This corner, to the right of the fireplace is also very rarely shown.  In fact, there
are no views at all in Series 3 or Series 4.  When we finally see it again in Series 5,
a corner cabinet has been added high on the wall.  This cabinet matches the one
that was also added in the Consulting Room for Series 5.  We often see a small
television in this corner, but only Martin's father has ever been seen watching it.

In Series 2, there were framed prints hanging on both walls in the corner.  Below
was a wooden table holding a silver television.
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Series 2
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The same wooden table is back this series and the television is back (it was
missing in Series 7).  The lamp is the one that has been at the front of the room
(next to the window) in Series 6 - 8.  They must have moved it here just for this one
scene because it was always across the room all through Series 8.  We only saw
this corner in two scenes - both in Episode 5.  The first time we saw it when Louisa
was using her laptop, it showed the wooden lamp.  Later in the episode, Louisa is
walking in the front door and we can see a round white lamp in that spot.  The
picture on the wall has moved around the Surgery.  It was in the Consulting Room
in Series 2 and in the hallway, just outside the Kitchen, in Series 4.
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Series 8
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Back Right Corner
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In series 3, the tall dresser is gone, replaced by a drop leaf table.  The lamp has
moved over to the Front Left Corner, the Buddha has moved back into the
Consulting Room, and the landscape has moved over to above the fireplace.  
There is now a tall thin black lamp (identical to one in the Consulting Room) and a
stack of books.  The painting that was above the fireplace last series in now here.
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Series 3
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The drop leaf table remains, but there is a new lamp (this one also matches one in
the Consulting Room this series), books, and an antique radio - possibly Bakelite?  
Another new painting hangs above - this time a monochromatic painting of sailboats.
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Series 4
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A whole new look in this area with the arrival of Dr Dibbs.  There is a side by side
secretary with a very feminine lamp on top.  There is also a wooden bracket clock
and a trio of stoneware vessels.  On the wall above are two small landscape
paintings in matching tramp art frames.  The sailboat painting has moved over to
the Front Left corner.
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Series 5
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This corner is actually the right wall of the room, with a very small piece of back
wall before the opening to the kitchen.  We almost always have a pretty good look
at this area.

In Series 2, there was a tall, narrow 7 drawer wooden dresser.  On top is one of a
pair of  round wooden lamps that are seen in this room over several series.  Next
to the lamp is the Gold Buddha with the attached base.  This series is the only
time it's not in the Consulting Room.  There is a landscape picture on the wall
above, although it is missing in one scene in Episode 6.
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Series 2
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The taller secretary is gone, replaced by a shorter, more compact one.  On top is a
sawtooth lamp that was in the Front Right corner the previous series - with a
different shade.  This patchwork shade was on a different lamp upstairs in the
bedroom in the last series.  There were several books on top and in the first part
of the series was a large stuffed mouse.  Later in the series, some of the books
were removed and a wooden basket was placed there to hold some of James'
toys.  On the wall above is the large pastoral painting that was in the Consulting
Room in the previous series.
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Series 6
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Very little change this series.  The wooden bowl is gone and replaced by a large
egg shaped lamp.  The top of the secretary is a catch-all for tissue boxes, toys,
and a host of other items.
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Series 7
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Just a few changes this series.  The same secretary and lamp, but the egg vase is
gone and a telephone with answering machine was added.  Also, the pastoral
picture has gone back into the Consulting Room and replaced by a beach scene.  
There is a woven tote on the floor holding James' toys.
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Series 8
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Sofa Area
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As was the case with a lot of Martin's furniture, the brown leather sofa was sent off
to London - never to return.  Dr Dibbs brought in this floral sofa with a white
background.  When Martin and Louisa moved back into the Surgery they just used
all of her furniture for the rest of Series 5.  My theory is that she was hospitalized
for awhile to deal with her medical issues and then needed to find a new job and
place to live, so it would take a few months before Martin would have somewhere
to send all of their possessions.  

The coffee table is also gone, as is the rug between the sofa and the window.  
But we do get a glimpse of the rug in front of the sofa and the wicker basket.
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Series 5
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When Martin and Louisa were married, they replaced Dr Dibbs' sofa with a solid
color one of their one.  This time it was a softer type than the leather one that
Martin had originally. There is a new, round side table that was pushed over near
the corner when Martin woke Aunt Ruth upon returning from the disastrous
honeymoon.  (In that shot is a really good look at the 2 stairs up to the kitchen.)  
For the rest of the series, the round table sits at the end of the sofa.  The more
monochrome red rug is now in front of the sofa - there is a good look when
Michael is sitting on the floor playing with James.
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Series 6
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Not much changed from Series 6.  The round table is missing, but I caught a quick
glance once in Series 8 of it back in the corner next to the green upholstered
chair.  In its place at the end of the sofa are now a smaller round table and a
magazine rack.  (The magazine rack had been in the back left corner in Series 6.)  
I wasn't able to catch any glimpse of the floor in front of the sofa, so not sure if
the rug remains.
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Series 7 - 8
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These are all of the items found in the middle of the room - always around the sofa.

Martin brought this very modern leather sofa from London.  It's the type of sofa
you would expect in the home of a London surgeon, but not necessarily in the
cottage belonging to a village GP.  It's paired with a very plain wooden coffee
table.  A pair of patterned throw rugs are visible - a red/brown/ivory one under
the coffee table and one in shades of red between the sofa and the bay window.  
Also visible is a large wicker basket filled with firewood.   
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Series 2 - 4
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