Member Stories
Louise Thomas

Welcome to Pixel Louise, how have your first few weeks been settling in?

The first few weeks have been amazing – it’s been quite hectic getting everything moved over from my old studio but that part is thankfully over and we are getting stuck into our work now. I’m really enjoying Pixel life and all that it offers – especially (the other) Louise’s delicious cakes!

Can you share a little about what you do in your studio?

My studio is my base for making very beautiful bespoke curtains, blinds and cushions for my clients. I also hold consultations here where clients can come and look at fabrics, wallpapers and paints too. If I’m not here I’m out visiting their houses, measuring windows, discussing the project or at the top of a ladder hanging the finished work (my least favourite task!)

Could you tell us a bit about the story behind Swift & Co?

Swift and Co started 5 years ago, before that I had been learning my trade working for another local curtain maker. The business has grown quickly and my clients have been incredibly generous recommending me to their friends and family. I chose the move to Pixel to allow us to have a bigger, more professional space, somewhere fabulous for my clients to visit and somewhere I can hopefully continue to find more wonderful new clients.

Was there a certain project or event in your life that made you stick with sewing, and turning your curtain and cushion business into a career?

I’ve not really followed a conventional career path. My parents were farming not far from Penzance. In fact I remember visiting the Pixel site as a little girl with my grandfather, when it was a livestock market in the 80s, to watch the cattle being bought and sold. That led to me studying for a degree in Agriculture at university, then onto a career within the food industry travelling all over the world. I always knew that I wanted to return to Cornwall and becoming a creative was a bit of a late swerve in my career path but a choice that I’m really glad I made.

Is there a particular job that is memorable and you are especially proud of?

I love a big project where I’m involved with a team transforming a property – my curtains are the last part of the installation and it’s so satisfying seeing everything come together. I recently worked on a ten bedroom house not far from Penzance – it was an 18 month transformation from a holiday let to a stunning family home. It was such a privilege to be part of that job and work with some very talented interior designers. Having said that I enjoy smaller, simpler projects too. If I’ve got a mix of both in the diary I’m happy!

What does a typical day look like for you and your team?

There’s no day is typical here! The studio team are skilled bunch but we each have our specialist tasks. I try to ensure the fabrics are cut into the necessary lengths to be joined and made up by the team, the majority of the curtain making process done by hand rather than machine. So the day will be mainly spent perched on a stool at the table with needle and thread – but don’t be fooled into thinking it’s boring – there’s rarely a dull moment!

How do you help a client choose an option that serves them best?

Every client has their own specific styles and requirements and I try my best to find the right solution for their particular need. The choice of fabric and style of window dressing can be quite overwhelming – it’s my job to filter through the choices, simplify the process and make it as enjoyable as I can for them. Bespoke curtains are an investment and I want to make sure they have something they absolutely love and will continue to love for years to come.

Is there a dream project you’d like to work on, a celebrity client perhaps?

I heard a rumour Taylor Swift has a house in Penzance – that’d be a great project – imagine the budget!

What’s keeping you inspired in the textile world right now?

I think my inspiration starts, like most things, from Instagram but I do love leafing through a good interiors magazine too. My favourite thing is a trip to Chelsea Harbour Design Centre in London – I try to get there at least once a year to visit the fabric showrooms and hopefully catch one of there special design events showcasing the work of the top interior designers.

Do you think there is a risk of upholstery and curtain making skills being lost?

I really hope not. Our team here ranges in age from 36 to 78 so we are definitely spanning the generations! I’m trying to learn all I can so I can pass it on. I recently worked with a curtain designer on London who was 86 – she had phenomenal knowledge and a past client list that was so enviable.

What can you tell about a client from the particular colours and fabric they choose?

It’s really as you might imagine… the quiet ones generally choose more muted tones and soft textures. The more outgoing tend to go for something more patterned and vibrant. But there’s always one that will catch me out so I do try to keep an open mind when I first meet a new client.

Finally, if you had to pick, Egg Bap brunch or Sushi for lunch?

Egg bap – as long as it is from free range hen and a local farm and has a slice of hogs pudding and some brown sauce! (And if you don’t know what hogs pudding is then get yourself to the local butcher!!)