Within a mere four years, Hamptons in Penarth has established itself as one of the most innovative interiors stores in Wales. It oozes style, from the seductive range of home fragrances to the gorgeous room sets and soft furnishings. Owners Peter Knowles and Andy Bradshaw introduce...
THE SPRING COLLECTION
Peter and Andy work hard to source products that are not
generally seen on the high street
and with over thirty years design
experience, interiors expert Andy
strives to find new and exciting
design led products to showcase at
the store.
"Many of our customers enjoy the fact that our products are fairly unique," says Andy, "which also means you won't see them everywhere." We paused to sit on a stunning contemporary sofa and Andy explained that it's part of a collection designed by Sir Terence Conran. "We're delighted to be one of the few stockists in Wales of Content by Conran. The quality and craftsmanship is excellent, is made in Britain and the choice of fabrics is superb."
With citrus colours being high on the interiors agenda this year, Hamptons are showing the Aspen sofa in a dark green felt contrasted very strikingly with an Aspen chair in star fruit. "Yes it's bright," said Peter, "but it's a real eye catcher."
Cushions and rugs have been a tremendous success at Hamptons and that's because the collection is unlike any we have seen elsewhere. There are Pebble cushions in subtle taupe and chocolate or for the more adventurous, shocking pink or dazzling aqua. The rugs are just as tactile and we loved watching a group of rather smart ladies kick off their shoes and enjoy the soft chenille between their toes.
New for this year from the same supplier, Dreamweavers in America are cushions called Orleans and Shoreline which also has a matching bed runner. "They're made from the same fabric as suit lining", explained Andy, "and are a wonderful contrast to the texture of the Pebble cushions."
"One of our new designers, Jen Rowland's has designed the most striking collection of cushions and coordinated lampshades", said Peter. "Inspired by nature and made from cool linen or sexy silk, the colours olive, raspberry and duck egg blue are fantastic. Jen is a designer to watch."
The selection of lighting at Hamptons is also impressive with many unusual pieces. "With metallics being a strong influence this year", said Andy, "our table lamps in bronze and champagne are an ideal way to add a dash of colour to any scheme. Some of the lamps are real statement pieces in both colour and scale and we especially loved the hand blown glass bases from Portugal."
Andy and Peter also showed us their collections of glassware, everything from elegant stemware to the most beautiful vases and bowls. "Our glassware is made by Polish glass specialists, LSA," explained Peter. "The quality really is quite superb and they are constantly surprising us with their fantastic new designs and stunning colours."
With an interior design team on hand
to offer free advice and a gorgeous café upstairs, Hamptons really has to be one of the most exciting independent stores in Wales.
And as if that wasn't enough, Peter and Andy have just announced a huge expansion programme that will give Hamptons even more space to display their interiors collections, as well as a food hall and delicatessen on the ground floor.
We had a sneak preview of the plans and some of the products they will be selling and, as you'd expect from Hamptons, it's going to be absolutely fabulous!
