Boutique SPEAK
We get to know Sophie McEwan, co-founder of Quince & Cook
Describe a typical day I always start with coffee and the school run followed by heading to the shop. I arrive before we open so there’s time to prep the shop and unpack deliveries. We open at 10am and from then it’s non-stop. At lunchtime I walk our two whippets, then it’s on to the office where I plan new-season trends, source designs and organise events. The day is bookended by the school run.
What is your favourite interiors style? I have really eclectic taste: I love mid-century design but I also adore modern styles. I like to pick and choose items that appeal to me and blend them together to create a fun and unique look. The trend for rattan really appealed to me, and I’ll be featuring this in the shop, along with a mix of bold glassware, soft velvets and greenery.
What inspired you to set up shop?
I was an early school leaver and went to a family-run department store where I completed an SVQ (Scottish Vocational Qualification), and it was there that my passion for shopkeeping started to grow. I paired that with my love of interiors and launched Quince Living online while pregnant. Fast-forward eight years and myself and my husband, Neil, finally saved enough money to bring the dream to the high street and we opened our bricks-and-mortar shop in October 2020 – an exciting but terrifying time to start a business! Quince Living became Quince & Cook when we merged my online store with Neil’s range cooker business.
What can we find at Quince &ook"
It’s a mini department store. As well as gorgeous cookers and appliances, we have cookware, kitchenware, interiors and our zero waste refill department, Wash House Store.
Where do you find inspiration"
Lots of places; from Instagram to magazines, trade shows to nature. Last year’s autumn/ winter collection was inspired by a bunch of dried flowers that I’d spotted in a magazine: the mauves, rich purples, ochres and teals really appealed to me, and I planned our collection around those tones and textures. When it comes to interiors buying, I tend to follow my heart and hope that what I love will spark excitement and joy in my customers.
64-68 Princes Street, Perth PH2 8LJ, quinceandcook.co.uk
‘I follow my heart and hope that what I love will spark excitement and joy in my customers’