October 3, 2024

Treasure Seeker

When it comes to transforming your interiors with pieces that stand the test of time, A Hundred Stories, the home of vintage furniture in Surrey, definitely marks the spot.

A Lease of New Life

Claire McFadyen, founder of A Hundred Stories says, “Many might remember us as Louisa Grace but we decided to rebrand this year, when the business became a decade old plus we moved from Banstead to a new site, right next door to our location house in Chipstead – and that’s where we’re now based. It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come; while I’d always had an interest in interiors, my background is marketing while my husband Jamie was a black taxi driver! He had an interest in doing up houses, so we did our first home together. We decorated the kids rooms with these home-made blackboards using chalk paint and vintage sourced frames. I put one on ebay…. and it sold so quickly! It all pretty much started from there.”

Nostalgic Nesting

“From vintage framed blackboards to upcycling chest of drawers and whatever furniture we could find at charity shops and auctions, Jamie was the first to give up his job taxiing – and started working on the furniture full time. I was then a PA for a firm in Epsom but was made redundant, four years ago. That was my opportunity to work full time for the business, exclusively, and we really switched it up, creating our Chipstead location house. Lots of filming and shoots take place now; we’ve had sitcoms to Lorraine and YOU magazine have all shot here”

“We always pride ourselves in the belief that every piece of furniture has a story.”

Everlasting Charm

“George Clarke came to do some filming here and he and many others tend to gravitate to one of my favourite pieces of furniture. It’s in the kitchen and it’s a 1940s haberdashery drawer unit by our sink. I bought it before we even started the extension as I just knew I had to have it. We built the kitchen around the units but it’s a real focal point that draws everyone in. We always pride ourselves in the belief that every piece of furniture has a story. So, having it here in the kitchen, the heart of the home, just makes complete sense”

Furnishing the Ages

“When it comes to my top interior tips, firstly I’d say, get loads of plants. I cannot stress how they can completely change the energy of a room. Secondly, my mantra is to only buy what you really love. If you love a piece it will stay with you. Older pieces tend to be made better than modern stuff – making it much easier to upcycle and keep for years to come and pass on. Don’t ditch it, switch it up as these pieces were built to last.

Continuing this slower-living theme, lastly, I’d suggest shopping your home; repurposing items you already own. A similar concept to ‘shop-your-wardrobe’, breathe new life back to pieces that never date.”

@ahundred.stories
ahundredstories.co.uk

Words by Fatima Truscott

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