Independent shops in the UK really struggle to survive these days as margins get tougher and competition increases. So, I love to find an independent shop that has carved out its own niche in the market and does something that little bit different, something that a large chain of shops wouldn’t think of. On a recent weekend trip to the West Country we stayed in Marlborough and stumbled across a wee gem of a shop – The Cat’s Whiskers.
The Cat’s Whiskers, 45 Kingsbury Street, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN81JE
The Cat’s Whiskers is a delightfully higgledy-piggledy shop, full of treasures for your house and garden both old and new. Owner, Sue Rumbold, started collecting unique homeware pieces in the 1970’s, and by the 80’s she was selling her items to antique dealers and at antique fairs. During this period she specialised in blue & white china which earnt her the nickname ‘Blue Sue’ in the trade. When she was made redundant from her job in London, she decided to open her own shop and The Cat’s Whiskers was born. Mind you this isn’t the original premises; as business grew so did the size of the space required – this is now her third shop! Sue’s passion is for upcycling and repurposing household and garden objects. Though the shop is constantly evolving in style, she loves old English and French items giving the shop a distinct Shabby Chic feel.
Sweet little chest of drawers with decorative mouldings £135
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™
Sue works with local craftsmen and sells one-off antique and decorative painted furniture. However there is also a real emphasis on having a go yourself. Sue’s own painted pieces inspire one to get involved in a bit of DIY. All of the painted furniture Sue sells has been painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™. Because Sue used so much of this paint she became an exclusive stockist, selling all colours and waxes of the Annie Sloan range. In fact whilst I was there several people came in asking for a tub of ‘Old White’ and ‘Paris Grey’.
Upcycled corner unit, using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™
Paint Workshops
The wonderful thing about Annie Sloan Chalk paint, Sue explains, is that you don’t have the intensive labour sanding down an item before painting it; you can literally paint straight on top of horrible old varnishes. And if you want to learn how to do this? Well, Sue runs one day Paint Workshops, teaching three different Annie Sloan paint finishes. A workshop costs £95 and all paints, waxes and tools needed during the day are provided including a light lunch and refreshments. All you need to bring is a small piece of furniture to try out the new techniques you have learnt. As Sue explains, once you’ve leaned how to upcycle a piece of furniture it’s a much cheaper way to furnish a house!
Sue not only stocks the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ and Wax but she also sells a great selection of knobs and handles to finish your new furniture.
Door knobs and handles, prices range from £3.50 – £7.50.
In addition to the painted furniture Sue sells beautiful fabrics by the metre both old and new. She also stocks beautiful handmade cushions.
Vintage fabrics sit alongside the new, prices starting at £19.90 per m.
Sue has suppliers sending her unique finds from all over Europe, for example unused hand woven linen from Hungry from £22.50 a metre and corn sacks from pre 2nd world war Germany which she has had made into cushions.
Corn sack cushion top left, handwoven linen from hungry £22.50 per m bottom left.
A real find are these wonderful hand-stitched monogrammed linen sheets from France circa 1880, which she suggests could be used to make curtains or for upholstery.
Vintage hand-stitched linen sheets c. 1880 from South of France, £195
Every nook and cranny of the shop is crammed full of wonderful unique finds, just waiting to be discovered.
Every nook and cranny of this shop is piled high with gems just waiting to be discovered.
The Cats Whiskers can be found at:
45 Kingsbury Street, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 1JE
Open: Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm (if travelling specially please call ahead)
For more information about Paint Workshops please call Sue on: 01672511577