Member Article

Interior entrepreneurs launch stylish business idea

Two entrepreneurial young women have set up a new interiors company bringing together international suppliers of wallcoverings, furniture, fabric and decorative accessories for homes and businesses.

Jennifer Bernard and Rebecca Hartley offer a range of services nationwide from styling the home, consultancy and advice, product sourcing for individuals or the interior design trade.

Bernhart will also be launching an online store in the New Year to showcase a range of products and accessories not available in the North.

Despite the current economic climate and sliding housing market, the duo believe that they can succeed by targeting high-end shoppers who are looking to add luxury touches to their homes, people who want help to dress their home for sale and companies who are furnishing flats to rent.

Jennifer graduated from Edinburgh College of Art with a degree in Interior Design and has previously worked in architecture and design companies. While working as a sales and design consultant, Jennifer met designer Rebecca who studied Spatial architecture at Newcastle College.

Jennifer said: “We both always wanted to set up our own business and we enjoy design so much that we live and breathe it every single day. We love giving people ideas, creating concepts and sourcing different and unusual products from around the world to make their home or work environment very special. Our combined 16 years’ experience also gives us strong links with architects, design practices, developers and international suppliers so we think an e-shop will prove an environmentally friendly and time efficient souring portal for the trade.”

Rebecca and Jennifer have aspirations that one day Bernhart will open a central design hub for the North East, providing seminars, training sessions and networking events for both commercial and residential clients.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .