Profile: Maggie Smith 's fruits from the Vine
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Interior designer Maggie Smith has just celebrated 30 years
in business.
Completely self-taught, she has won plaudits from big-name
clients such as Royal and Sun Alliance (RSA), the Institute of
Directors and Kent's own Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly
Holmes.
Her business, Vine House Interiors, Wrotham, is used by
customers wanting a special design job from someone who says she
enters into their world before offering advice.
"You have to stand back, let people have their own personality
in their home and not keep putting in your input all the time," she
says.
Richard Gamble, former RSA group chief executive, said: "The
special skills she has in interpreting the needs of the customer
are unique."
Her Royal project won a City Heritage Award in 1996.
Maggie, a young-looking 66 who tones up with a swim every
morning before work, was born in London's East End and came to Kent
when she was 10. She went to school in Sidcup.
Her eureka moment came when she read a book by Tricia Guild, the
renowned fabric and wallpaper designer. She enrolled on a
Sanderson's course and bought a second-hand sewing machine.
Thirty years after founding Vine House Interiors, she has seven
staff, one of whom has been with her since the start. She says: "My
girls are fantastic. They put in 100 per cent."
While the boom years were good to Maggie, recession has been
tough. She has lived through some tough economic times but admits
this recession has been the worst.
And she faces more competition than ever, with multiples
tempting away customers with special offers. But Maggie often has
the last laugh when they bring items back and ask her to sort out
the problems.
This glamorous grandmother - she has seven grand-children -
keeps up to date with the latest styles and is happy designing for
young people. "My head is full of younger ideas because I'm seeing
the latest things all the time."
She has no plans to retire. "I can't imagine doing nothing all
day.
She dislikes the thought of one day having to sell up. "I have
huge job satisfaction and really enjoy my work. Who knows, I might
be doing it at 75."
Tuesday, June 15 2010
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