Shelley Clarkson is taking her passion, creativity and skill to the next level.
Ever since completing her first renovation project aged just 19, Shelley Clarkson, Director of Clarkson Bespoke, has lived and breathed property development. Whether it is bringing a stately home back to its former glory or working closely with property developers to create bespoke pieces for new-build homes, her passion knows no bounds.
Now, her thriving business is taking a different direction with a new brand identity, a beautifully enhanced showroom and an exciting collaboration with master craftsmen at Wow Bespoke. We caught up with Shelley at her studio in leafy Chelford.
Shelley’s work and passions
Originally from Salford, Shelley has lived in Cheshire for more than 20 years, loving the great schools and brilliant commuter links, which have enabled her to balance both her private and working life. Home now is a Victorian property nestled in the Cheshire countryside, which she is lovingly restoring, a far cry from the first ever renovation which sparked her passion for all things property, a former local authority-owned ‘quasi semi’ in Salford.
“I bought my first house and developed that and realised, I just absolutely loved interiors, so rather than go to university, I decided that was what I wanted to do for a living,” reveals Shelley.
“I continued to buy, renovate, and sell houses, completing multiple property projects, including two that were Grade II listed buildings,” she says.
New direction
The launch of Clarkson Bespoke heralds an exciting new chapter for Shelley, following her amicable parting from her previous business partner, with whom she co-founded Clarkson Lee Bespoke Interiors on 17 March 2020 — just six days before the Covid-19 lockdown.
“Fortunately, we were classed as being part of the construction industry, which was one of the only industries which were able to continue to trade,” she reveals.
“Our initial workspace was my dining room until it got to a point where we took on staff, then we moved to our current showroom in Chelford five years ago.
“Lockdown transformed the way people thought about their homes and outdoor spaces. They wanted alfresco dining, outdoor kitchens, pergolas and bars because they were entertaining more at home, that’s why we’ve dropped the word ‘Interiors’ from our branding as our expertise spans every aspect of property design and renovation.”
Shelley’s outdoor showroom also showcases a pergola and kitchen, supplied by Syke Outdoor Living.
Wow Bespoke collaboration
One of the most exciting aspects of the change in direction is the collaboration with Wow Bespoke, specialists in wrapping bespoke cabinetry in porcelain. Says Shelley, “It’s a perfect collaboration, as I also share a bespoke cabinetry company based in the Northwest with my business partner Mark Aspinall.”
“Everything is made here in the UK, and it’s all manufactured by hand, by our talented craftsmen. We are very proud of what we do,” she says.
While heading up her close-knit team on luxury residential, hospitality and commercial projects, guiding clients seamlessly from concept to completion, she will also be working with Wow Bespoke to create cabinetry that fits in with today’s ethos of stunning design combined with functionality.
“Our price point is competitive because we are manufacturing our own cabinetry and we have control of quality and timelines,” explains Shelley.
“I’ve often found that if clients are purchasing from abroad, for example quite a lot of kitchens come from Germany, and bedrooms from Italy, firstly they close down during summer, secondly if you’ve got a problem, say something is broken or missing, the turnaround time to get that back on site can be up to six weeks whereas we can turn it around in 24 hours. That makes us unique.”
Shelley loves…
“Anything Victorian or Edwardian. A Gothic mansion would be my dream. Just bringing buildings back to life is my true passion. If the original details have been taken away, I love to make sure that I put them back.
“During lockdown, we had the pleasure of renovating a Georgian Manor House in the Cotswolds, which was just phenomenal. We didn’t change an awful lot to the structure of the house because it didn’t need it.
“We just upgraded and updated and accented, and accommodated what was an absolutely beautiful property. The project was for an existing client of ours in Cheshire, and this was their second home. That’s how we do business, really, by word of mouth and recommendations. And we have clients who come back, which is a real honour and testament to the service we provide.”
Launch party
Clarkson Bespoke’s stunning extended showroom will be unveiled at a launch party late November, showcasing the beautiful cabinetry from Clarkson Bespoke, wrapped in porcelain by Wow Bespoke in as many situations as possible, from a dressing room with a fully clad dressing island, through to elegant freestanding furniture and a fully functioning bar – Shelley has a personal licence to sell alcohol! Although she does assure us that drinks will be free at the launch.
“The whole purpose of the new showroom is to showcase the collaboration between the two companies and the usage of the new materials using cabinetry and porcelain together to create beautiful pieces of furniture.”
If you’d like to join us for this special event, please contact nicole@clarksonbespoke.co.uk
“Not everyone can easily visualise the finished result, so it’s important for us to show as much as possible. Letting our clients see and experience the quality of our products is central to what we do.”
To discover more or arrange a showroom visit please get in touch. The team would love to hear from you.
Tel: 01625 801 150
