A WINDOW INTO ONE OF WIRRAL ’ S LONGEST ESTABLISHED CURTAIN AND BLIND MAKERS - ' QUINTESSENTIAL ' IN HOYLAKE
Lockdown has afforded many of us a lot more time at home , and a chance to cast a critical gaze over our home décor . According to research the booming interest in home interiors looks set to continue , with 39 % of us planning to refurbish at least one room in the next 12 months .
With this in mind , we met up with the team at Quintessential – a long-established family- run soft furnishings business that specialises in made-to-measure curtains , blinds and accessories .
Tucked away down a side street , just off Market Street in Hoylake , lies their unassuming shopfront , behind which sits their workshop and a small showroom . What it lacks in space , it makes up for in quality . Every wall is lovingly and orderly piled high with sample books , offering fabric and wallpapers in every shade and colour . This is where they design and make all their soft furnishings .
We met up with mum and daughter team , Pauline and Wendy , together with their business partner , Sarah and co-worker , Ruth , to find out more about how , over 40 years , they ’ ve helped to transform some of Wirral ’ s finest homes and businesses . Not to mention some very impressive London ones too !
1 . Forty years is a long time ! Have you always been on the Wirral ?
Yes , explains Pauline . I ’ m self-taught and trained up both Wendy and Sarah . We set up Quintessential 20 + years ago and still love working together . Soft furnishings run in the family : R . A England , of upholstery fame , was established by my father-in-law and the business is now run by my nephew !
2 . What do you enjoy most about your job ?
The ladies agree that they all play to their strengths . Pauline is the creative driving force and loves bringing a customer ’ s vision to life .
Wendy is the face of the ‘ Quinty Girl ’ team , as they ’ re affectionately known , overseeing every job from first consultation to fitting . And Sarah is the powerhouse on the machine .
No job is too small , they get as much joy from seeing the delight on the face of a happy customer with a modest kitchen blind as an heiress in a mansion .
3 . What ’ s the most challenging job you have ever done ?
It ’ s almost impossible to say , admits Sarah . We ’ ve delivered such a variety of jobs , private and contract . We recently installed 16 width curtains on an electric track , operated by a click on your phone . It ’ s great to learn new technology .
Sometimes the sheer size and bulk of fabric can be a challenge – we had to shimmy up scaffolding to install the curtains in Liverpool ’ s Greek Orthodox Cathedral .
We deal with every manner of finish - pinch pleats , inverted pleats , double pleats , pencil pleats , ruffle tops , upholstered pelmets , swags and tails , the list goes on …
4 . What ’ s trending at the moment ?
Today the split is about 70 % curtains and 30 % blinds . Natural shades are making a comeback and more and more people love the idea of using their phone to operate their curtains .
Everyone has a different style . Our curtains are as individual as you are . We work with you to tease out exactly what will suit your personal style and your pocket .
5 . How do you work ? What is the process – from start to finish ?
Wendy explains : With Covid-measures in place , I like to start with a home visit . This helps me to gauge your taste and get a feel for what will work . Alternatively I can do a no-obligation phone or Facetime consultation .
The next step is to pop into the shop – with over 200 books , we ’ ll help to guide you - I know how overwhelming it can be ! We ’ re happy to loan out books so you can try them at home . We stock Prestige
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