Alison Bowen is the owner of the well established interior design company called A & C Interiors on New Road, Porthcawl. Alison’s flair for colour and style is well known in Porthcawl and here she talks to Vale Life about her...

CREATIVE INSPIRATION

Tell us about A & C Interiors?
We design, make and fit all types of window treatments and soft furnishings. We have hundreds of lovely fabrics and wall covering books in the shop for our clients to choose from.

How long has A & C been going?
The studio shop has been running for ten years and prior to that I worked from home for ten years working for private customers and sub-contracting to shops.

What’s your background?
I have a degree in mathematics and astrophysics but I’ve always had a passion for sewing and fabric – so much so, that sometimes when I see a new exciting fabric or design it gives me goosebumps! I always made my own soft furnishings and clothes for my daughter when she was small, then friends used to ask me to make things for their homes and children. As they grew older the time was right to open a shop which I absolutely adore. I’m very lucky to be able to make a career out of my hobby.

Why did you choose Porthcawl?
I am Porthcawl born and bred. I love to be able to work and live by the sea. I have to drive past the sea every day on my way to work. It’s a lovely way to start the day.

Who are your customers?
All age groups - people who love quality fabrics and wall coverings, workmanship and service. The majority of customers, regulars and new business comes through word of mouth.

What services do you offer?
We offer handmade beautiful curtains, pelmets, valances, tie backs and cushions. We also offer all types of blinds including Roman, vertical, sheerlite (vertical with voiles) roller, venetian, panel, pleated, sell poles and tracks plus bay window poles.

Which is your most popular brand?
Harlequin. We stock every fabric and wall covering book being a premier retailer for them. A section of the shop is dedicated to Harlequin with many displays of their fabrics and papers. Our other main brands are Romo, Villa Nova, Blendworth, Sanderson, Zoffany, Today Interiors, James Brindley, Kandola, Kai, Wind, Design Forum, Rol- Lite Blinds, Faber, Luxaflex, Wemyss Houles, Handsome Trimmings, Walcot. All of these brands have lovely quality fabrics, wall coverings, blinds, trimmings and poles.

Why do you think customers choose to shop at A & C?
We are happy to look at all types of work. We specialise in beautiful poles, including angled and curved bay window poles. We offer free measure, design and quote. Customers may take books home to view at their leisure. Also, we offer a complete home service for people who are unable to leave their homes. Customers come to us because they can relax knowing that they will have a beautiful product that will give them a lot of pleasure and that the service will be second to none.

What are your plans for the future?
We are always on the look out for new brands. One to watch is Design Forum for fabric. Another is Facette Shades which are soft fabric blinds used for subtle light control. We have samples of both in the shop.

We will continue to offer a lovely range of products to the people of south Wales. My husband and I fit and hang all the window treatments and there is nothing more satisfying then seeing the pleasure on our customers’ faces when the job is completed, having achieved what they wanted and more. Fab!

A & C Interiors 30 New Road Porthcawl CF36 5DN 01656 772353