HANNAH WALTERS The interior designer at her Shropshire home
Interior designer Hannah Walters shares the little touches that make her New England-style home in the Shropshire countryside so special
Co-founder of online interiors site charlested.com, Hannah Walters finished her unique new-build home four years ago. She talks to hello! about styling tips, how the business of interiors is in her blood and how she started her company with friend Kate Home-Roberts.
Hannah, tell us about your beautiful home…
“We designed and built Glenwood back in 2017 on a piece of land next to our cottage in Shropshire. We had always taken on older houses to restore and renovate, so a new-build actually felt like more of a challenge. We didn’t want to design a home that looked like we were trying to re-create a mock-historic style, nor did we want it to look too new.
“With the help of a local architect, we finalised a design based on styles we were drawn towards when travelling. A mix of American colonial features that would work in the Shropshire countryside.”
How did you become interested in interiors?
“I grew up working in my mother’s interiors and gift shop and joining her on buying trips. I learnt huge amounts from the days spent at showrooms – not only about buying and sourcing, but room layouts, textiles and display. Mum would visit customers’ homes to dress their trees and hallways for Christmas. I spent school holidays unpacking deliveries and learning merchandising techniques.”
What made you take the plunge and launch CharlesTed with Kate in 2017?
“I hadn’t long had my daughter, Raphie, when Mum took retirement. We had been working on a few house renovations, so it made sense to keep lots of our trade accounts open for projects. Kate and I met during my first pregnancy three years earlier and we shared an unhealthy interest in all things interiors. Friends and family would ask us to help them style their homes for selling, or events, and Kate would nag me for us to set up a social media online business. I resisted for months, as I knew the commitment that was needed, and we both had young children. In a moment of weakness, I caved on the basis that we would start very small.
“We each invested just £350 in wicker hearts and stone candlesticks and within 48 hours – and before they had even arrived – Kate had sold them all! So, we reinvested everything we had earnt from our first sales. To this day this is the only investment we’ve made, and I feel proud that we now have a team of 12 in our Shropshire warehouse and a collection of over 500 products.”
‘We’re so excited that our vision is becoming a reality”
Where do you find inspiration?
“A large part of inspiration for the business comes from designers and trade shows in Europe, America and Asia. Emerging trends and new styles tend to come from further afield, so we make sure we stay abreast of what’s going on around the world. Social media is our biggest drive of customers to our website, so it’s important we invest in researching upcoming demands across Instagram, YouTube and similar.”
What’s your most treasured item in the house?
“We have a framed black-and-white photo from our New Year’s Eve wedding of my husband Fred and me with all our closest family and friends. It really captures how special that day was.”
Where do you start when adding finishing touches to interior styling?
“I always advise customers to clear away everything they don’t love in the space before they start. Then gradually build up with the final touches, keeping in mind the five key elements: texture, colour, height, shape and light.”
What’s next for CharlesTed?
“Kate and I have just designed our first furniture collection, which we’re launching later this year. The idea for this came from what we know our customers will love – large, chunky items with natural textures and an industrial, American/ Canadian influence. We’re so excited that our vision is becoming a reality.”