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All that The Old Vicarage needed to complete its transformation was the curtains and blinds. Val was more than happy to give this job to Jewels of Cardiff, having worked with owner Julie Perkins previously and on the recommendation of Andy.
JEWELS IN THE CROWN
Jewels was established in 1983 as an upholstery business. Julie started the business and her husband joined soon after when they first bought the premises. In recent years, Julie’s two daughters Candice and Hayley have since joined, keeping the family tradition alive.
What’s it like working with family?
Be honest! It can be a bit hormonal at times with three women in the business. The business has evolved a lot since it was just re-upholstery, as customers’ requirements have changed.
What services do you offer?
We offer interior design, re-upholstery, curtains, bespoke furniture design, and manufacturing for other designers. We also offer a number of new services, including commercial interiors for shops, boutiques and salons. We’ve just successfully completed two such projects back to back.
Who are your customers?
We have a wide and diverse client base which is constantly growing. We get to meet some interesting people day to day which I thoroughly enjoy. No two customers are alike. One day we could be helping a lady who wants a chair recovered (heirlooms, sentimental pieces, antiques), the next it’s a footballer’s wife who wants an exclusive individual piece like a gold hand painted throne in zebra skin, which is actually printed cowhide as zebra is now, thankfully, not allowed.
We also work with a number of designer shops in the area as well as Hamptons Home and Garden Design, Penarth and we even work for London stores such as Harrods who we supply for their seasonal displays. We also manufacture fitting room curtains for popular high street shop changing rooms and supply unusual items for various department stores, restaurants and hotels such as St David’s Hotel and The Park Plaza.
We also make furniture and soft furnishings for various TV productions and even for films. I recently had the opportunity of meeting Hollywood film star Ryan Phillipe, which was not an unpleasant experience! We have also been involved in a design programme called Front of House with Oliver Heath. It’s amazing that my small business evolved from the front room of my first house to where it is today!
How did Jewels become involved with The Old Vicarage project?
Andy introduced me to Val, whom I’ve met before. Andy and I have worked on a few projects together recently which is always a joy, and this has developed into a good business relationship. Jewels made the blinds (silhouette, facette and Roman), curtains, pelmets and recovered chairs (one for the hall and two purple buttoned back chairs for the lounge). Also, loose covers for a bedroom chair, footstools for the study and lounge, and window seat and scatter cushions for the media room.
What are your favourite pieces from this project?
Definitely the buttoned back chairs for the lounge which we did in purple velvets. They are simply stunning!
What next for Jewels?
Jewels has been expanding steadily from the beginning. From front room to shop front to larger Whitchurch Road premises and now, due to the ever changing demands of our customers, we are currently considering moving our workshop to larger premises once again to allow us to take on more staff. We are looking forward to very exciting times ahead!
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