The family-run firm that lovingly crafts our new velvet cushion collection combines the very best of British fabrics with years of expertise.
“We have an 85,000 to one return rate on our cushions, which we’re really proud of,” says Andrew Tully, a director of the Cotswold Company’s soft furnishings partner, based on Merseyside.
A FAMILY AFFAIR
Each cushion is checked three times before it leaves the factory, but this quality assurance also comes from the skill of the machinists and the fabric they use. “We’ve been working with the same few mills within the UK for decades, because we trust that the quality of the fabric they’re producing is exactly what we want it to be.”
Consistency is key. And Andrew should know – he’s been working at the firm for 27 years now, starting out in his school holidays. It was his dad who turned the business around after its original founder fell ill, and it remains a family affair, with Andrew’s sister the design director.
A GROWING DEMAND
Today the factory is busier than ever. The sector is booming as a result of a housebound nation looking for quick, easy ways to freshen up their living spaces over the past year. This demand doesn’t come without its challenges, as the building that houses the factory is beautiful but far from practical.
MADE WITH SKILL & PASSION
“It was built in 1914 and is listed, so we can’t modify it,” Andrew explains. “There are cast-iron pillars and steps, so we can’t use forklift trucks.” Yet, the factory can produce 6,000-plus cushions a week, with a good machinist creating up to 30 an hour in the simpler designs.
It’s a skill that comes with years of practice (the oldest machinist is 67 and has been at the firm for almost 30 years). But such productivity also comes down to the benefits of being a close-knit company where everyone loves their work. A true family. “There’s a real sense of humour in the factory, and you know what’s going on with everyone,” says Andrew. “In a small company, it has to be that way – but nor would I have it any other way.”
Shop our beautiful new velvet cushion collection online and in stores.
