Interviews
Missed Moving Soon founder, Paul Malone on the radio today? Grab yourself a brew and listen in to some interesting tips and insights with business Coach, Paula Cohen and Louise Barson (Silver Concierge) If you want to know more about Moving Soon or how to list your property for free, in the Cheshire area stay on this website.
30/01/12 Good Connections with Paula Cohen, sponsored by Virgin Trains Training – RedShift Radio by Goodconnections on
Category : Blog &Experts &Interviews &News
Over the Holidays I interviewed an amazing illustrator called Emma Sharples from Ems Orginal, her work is inspirational. If you ever want to capture a moment in your life like a birth, wedding or special event, Emma is the artist for you! Here is what she had to say about where she lives and works in the Cheshire area.
Where are you based?
I live in a little hamlet called Cranage, it is about 6 miles outside of Knutsford. But consider myself a Knutsfordian as spend most of my days there and currently feel i live in the Cherry Tree Shop on King Street!
What do you love about living there?
Cheshire is a fantastic place to be. There are some lovely towns full of boutique shops and amazing places to eat and drink! We also have the balance of beautiful places to head to get away from the world.
Living in Cranage really gives you the best of being in the middle of some of these lovely villages and towns, handy to Knutsford, Wilmslow and Alderley to heading further south to little towns like Nantwich! We also have some fantastic shows and festivals that really show Cheshire of to the best!
Have long have you lived there?
I have always lived in Cheshire and was born in Ashton-on-Mersey but I moved to Cranage with my family in 1998, so approx 13 years. Since that time I have lived in Manchester during my university days and then headed to London when I worked at the BBC in 2007.
I returned to finish my degree and soon after began setting up my business and now I am happily settled back in this lovely county!
What is your Company called?
What do you do?
In January 2011 I set up my own company called emsOriginal. I work as and artist, illustrator and design to create commissioned ‘affordable’ art. Anything from commissioned pictures of a family home to wedding stationary design! My work has often been linked with an architectural style, but also has elements of humorous, fashion and comic design.
Where is your company based?
I have a open studio at the Cherry Tree, 73 King Street, Knutsford
What is your favourite piece of work?
Its hard to decide, being an illustrator you tend to put your heart and soul into each piece to be able to create a unique illustration each time so each one becomes a favourite. A memorable piece from the year was a large A1 artwork for a bespoke wedding table plan. The couple had a theme of all the places they had travelled and this made a “round the world” table plan design! It really allowed me to be inventive and get back to painting a large scale picture! It really inspired me to get back to my own artwork and generated some really great original art pieces after this design!
Have you ever done a commission on a cheshire landmark?
I have featured in my work some of the lovely old halls and buildings we have in Cheshire, including Mottram, Arley and the Belle Epoque!
What is your favourite place to go and eat?
This is a very hard decision as eating is one of my favourite thing to do and I like so many different types of food! We have a fantastic selection of restaurants in Knutsford and surrounding areas and depending on your mood each of these is a favourite with me! Sat outside Gusto’s in Alderley on a sunny Sunday afternoon or a great Thai at Mae Graew in Knutsford. However if I had to choose I would say the Knutsford Wine Bar, it reminds me of birthdays, celebrations and good times with friends, large tables full of lots of food, and plenty of dancing afterwards to some of the great bands they have play on the live music nights!
What do you do on your day off?
I always like to try get far from crowds on days off! I like to find quirky coffee shops and sit and drink tea with friends! I like a mooch in art and craft centres. I also have a bit of a hobby collecting vintage greeting cards so a rummage around antique shops is always nice!
What are you looking forward to the most in 2012?
Seeing my business grow and the opportunities that will come with that for me to design and illustrate!
To find out more about Ems Original see below.
mail: ems@emsoriginal.com
tel: 07834 273257
web: emsoriginal.com
emsOriginals is a innovative design company to create brand new, original designs for you and now a recommended supplier to Warner Bros. Entertainment UK.
Everything created is hand made with Tender Love and Care, we recycle materials and work with recycled papers to help protect the environment around us.
Category : Blog &Interviews
What’s it like to be an independent shopkeeper in Knutsford?
Sara Hoodfar, owner of Cherry Tree Gifts, gives us the low-down.
When did you open your shop?
Four years ago, in 2007, although it feels like I’ve been here forever!
Why did you choose this particular location?
I initially intended to open a shop in Chorlton in Manchester where I grew up. I also considered other places such as Alderley Edge. In the end my mum suggested Knutsford as she often used to meet friends for lunch here and thought it was a great place. When I came to visit Knutsford, I completely fell in love with it too.
What makes Knutsford so special?
It’s a gorgeous old, historic town with so much character and lots of other independent retailers plus lovely cafes and restaurants. There’s a lot of civic pride and both business owners and residents really care about where they live. For example, a year ago the RHS created a floral walk throughout the town and my shop was awarded first prize!
Describe your shop’s location.
My shop is located in a small courtyard called Cotton shop yard, just off King Street, opposite the Gaskell Tower. Because it’s hidden away slightly, down a few steps from the main road, it has a nice secluded feel and is a bit of destination point for shoppers. I share the courtyard with one other shop, which we often partner with to do seasonal events. Between us we’ve made it a really lovely spot.
What makes Cherry Tree gifts unique?
I try to keep my product range different and special, negotiating exclusives with brands where I can and picking my stock carefully. I used to be a retail buyer for a handmade card company and I’ve also worked as a jeweller in the past so I have a good eye and I know how to choose items that my customers will like.
What are the bestselling pieces in the shop?
I sell a selection of Cath Kidston. They like to vet any shop before they supply to it and, once they do, they won’t supply to another independent retailer within a certain radius so it’s nice to have them as a stockist.
I also sell a lot of the Pip Studio range including porcelain and bedding. This brand also gives my shop a very distinctive interiors feel, which customers always comment on. In addition there are lots of unusual, one-off pieces such as bespoke stationery and jewellery plus furniture; both new and old, up-cycled pieces.
Describe your average customer.
It tends to be women mainly as this is quite a girlie shop and they come in to find gifts for friends or relatives as well as to treat themselves. My customers are usually fairly affluent, which reflects the local area and many of them are mums who like to browse during weekdays too. But really it’s anyone who is looking for something a little bit different and special.
What kind of shopping experience do you provide?
My customers tell me it’s a really lovely environment and a very inspirational place to be, where they enjoy spending time looking at nice, pretty, individual things. I can’t ask for more than that!
Cherry tree Gifts
73 King Street, Knutsford WA16 6DX
01565 650667
http://www.cherrytreegifts.com/
Once discovered. Never Forgotten
Kathryn Sharman is a well known journalist who has a regular blog at Kat got the cream If you would like to be featured here on Moving Soon, please contact movingsooninfo@gmail.com
Category : Interviews
Moving Soon Editor Fiona Pattison talks to Lucy Royds, (Managing Director of Paramount Property Search), about life in the property market.
How long have you been in the property market for? 10 years, I started out as a letting agent in 2001
When did you start your business? May 2009
What do you do? I’m a residential property search agent so essentially I source and negotiate property for private clients. I take the stress out of property buying, I do all the legwork, contacting estate agents and personal contacts, viewing properties to make sure they fit the clients brief. Then when a property is chosen I act on behalf of our clients to negotiate the best price possible and see the deal through to completion.
Do you like working in this way? I love what I do. I run a business that helps people find there ideal home or investment, its very satisfying
How do you think the property market in London differs to the rest of the uk? The London property market is driven largely by completely different factors to the rest of the Uk property market. London is a leading global financial centre with many heads of industry and city bankers spending their high incomes on prime London property. There is also strong interest in London property from overseas investors, Sterling is relatively weak at the moment and London is seen as a safe haven for investments. So while there is demand for prime London property, the rest of the uk is looking very subdued largely as a result of tighter mortgage lending.
You get to meet Interesting people in your line work, who has been the most exciting? I deal with all sorts of people, City fat cats, overseas investors, eccentric landlords and flamboyant agents, they all keep me on my toes and make my job more interesting.
Any tips on buying property for first time buyers?
- Be realistic when working out your finances, don’t forget stamp duty, solicitors and surveyors fees all add up.
- Location Location Location. Concentrate on good areas/streets
- Get a second opinion. Take a friend or relative who has experience in buying property on a viewing or at least look at the property particulars.
- The recent Budget included a new government scheme called Firstbuy Direct which aims to help first time buyers with their deposit. It could be worth looking in to www.direct.gov.uk
What the most unusual property you’ve seen? I’ve looked around a houseboat moored on the River Thames, sounds great fun in theory but personally I like stronger foundations
What the most unusual request you’ve been asked to find? I think maybe a vet, I love animals..
For help with Property buying in London contact Lucy on lucy@paramountpropertysearch.co.uk
Category : Interviews
Moving Soon Editor Fiona Pattison talks to interior designer Dipika Parmar.
Dipika Parmar is an established interior designer who knows a thing or two, when it comes to designing your home. Having worked on some of the most prestigious houses in the country, Dipika is here to share her knowledge and advice when it comes to styling your home.
Why is Cheshire one of your favourite places?
I love working in and around the Cheshire area! My first experience of Cheshire was when I was designer for a luxury bespoke carpet company, where I was trained as classical decorative designer were most of the commissions were undertaken by clients in the Cheshire area.
Cheshire is a desirable place to live, what special qualities do you think brings people to this area?
Cheshire is an eclectic mixture of English Architecture, in a beautiful country setting. There a mixture of old English money, but also a vibrancy of new entrepreneurial spirit. Where else would you be ideally located, to be a stones throw away from Iconic country estates like Lyme Park and Tatton Hall, lakeside settings of Mere, leafy country lanes, and numerous private country clubs & spas.
If you wanted to get away from Cheshire … and head for the city, Manchester, Leeds, and Chester are nearby and if you needed to travel overseas you have easy access to Manchester Airport.
You have worked in Cheshire over the years, what has been your favourite property that you have worked on?
One of my favourites, was a great property in Mere with stunning views of the lakeside. The client was open to ideas, and we worked well together, evolving the original brief. The outcome was an amazing interior, which we were all proud to be part of.
I’ve been privileged to work on interior projects in Cheshire & the surrounding areas for many years, ranging from country estates, state of the art apartments, listed buildings in quintessentially English surroundings. I was working with some of the most talented designers, suppliers & craftsmen in the UK, and I learned a lot from them.
What’s the current direction in interior design?
I think the main thing to focus on with interior design, especially in the current climate is good service and pushing the boundaries. Creating a beautiful interior can be hard work, but it can be an extremely rewarding, challenging and enjoyable experience. Have confidence in your interior designer, and let them share your vision and concerns.
Do you think the style of yourhome can help or hinder the sale of your home?
In all for creating an interior that has longevity and that is accessible, but that doesn’t mean it has to be bland!Most buyers want a home that has a good sense of space, great lighting and are looking for a home that ideally doesn’t need to have an immediate large cash injection. Keep these in mind when selling your home, but ensure you have some of your personal things dotted around; these items are what create a home. If in doubt…. seek professional help link to moving soon services on interiors which is Dipika.
Category : Blog &Interviews