About Vivian May Interiors & Lifestyle
Vivian May Interiors & Lifestyle
Located in the heart of the beautiful seaside town of Bude, North Cornwall, Vivian May Interiors & Lifestyle is a thoughtfully curated Furniture & homeware store, offering an exquisite collection of new & upcycled furniture, home décor, lighting and other homeware products. Since our establishment in 2015, we have been dedicated to sourcing unique, high-quality pieces that bring warmth, style, and personality to every home.
Our Story & Commitment
At Vivian May Interiors, we believe that a home should be a reflection of individuality, comfort, and timeless design. Our journey began with a deep passion for interiors and a desire to provide beautifully crafted pieces that inspire and transform living spaces.
With a commitment to quality, sustainability, and affordability, we strive to offer stylish products without compromising on excellence. Whether you’re searching for a statement furniture piece, refreshing your home with unique décor, or embarking on a full interior transformation, our team is here to provide expert advice and inspiration.
We take pride in curating collections that seamlessly blend classic elegance with contemporary trends, ensuring that every product enhances both the beauty and functionality of your space.
The History of Vivian May Interiors & Lifestyle
Established in 2015 and originally located at Petherick’s Mill in the beautiful seaside town of Bude, North Cornwall, Vivian May Interiors & Lifestyle was founded by Kandice with the vision of creating a furniture upcycling and retail business.
Thanks to early success, the business grew rapidly and soon became an official stockist of Frenchic Paint, a transformative product that has been used on all of our upcycled furniture pieces ever since.
A New Chapter – Relocating to Queen Street
In the summer of 2018, Vivian May Interiors & Lifestyle embarked on an exciting new chapter by relocating to a larger town centre premises at 31 Queen Street—a prime location on a bustling shopping street, ideal for both locals and visitors to Bude.
With this move, the business further expanded its range, becoming a well-established Furniture & Homeware shop in the heart of Bude.
New Ownership & Growth
In the summer of 2021, Vivian May Interiors & Lifestyle entered an exciting new chapter when it was acquired by mother-and-son business partners, Marie and Mitchell. With an existing background in retail, the new owners also operated a successful jewellery business, Smith & Co Jewellers, leading to the introduction of a selection of quality Sterling Silver jewellery items available in-store.
Recognizing the potential for expansion, the team launched a new website and online store, bringing Vivian May Interiors to a nationwide audience. This move allowed us to reach new customers, grow our product range, and provide a seamless online shopping experience.
As part of our commitment to creativity and craftsmanship, we also introduced a Customer Commission Service, allowing customers to have their own furniture professionally upcycled using Frenchic products. This service breathes new life into pre-loved pieces, giving customers the opportunity to preserve sentimental furniture or refresh their interiors with a bespoke and high-quality finish.
With this expansion, Vivian May Interiors continues to evolve, offering unique products and specialist services while maintaining a strong focus on quality, expertise, and exceptional customer care.
Expanding Our Product Range
By 2022, Vivian May Interiors & Lifestyle had grown to offer a carefully curated collection of over 1,000 products across our Bude store and online store. Our ever-expanding range includes:
• Upcycled Furniture – Beautifully restored and hand-finished pieces, giving pre-loved furniture a new lease of life.
• New Furniture Collections – A selection of high-quality, stylish furniture pieces to suit various interior styles.
• Home Décor & Accessories – Carefully chosen decorative pieces that add character and warmth to any space.
• Lighting – Elegant and functional lighting solutions, from statement floor lamps to classic table lamps.
• Mirrors & Wall Art – Stunning mirrors and unique wall art to enhance any room.
• Frenchic Paint – Offering the full range of Frenchic products online, including all 159 Chalk Wall Paint and Trim Paint colours, alongside the popular Alfresco, Lazy, and Original Artisan ranges, waxes, sealants, and finishing products.
(Please note that not all products available online are stocked in-store.)
New Services & Expanding Expertise
In 2023, Smith & Co Jewellers, located within Vivian May Interiors in the heart of Bude, introduced a jewellery buying service, providing customers with a trusted and professional way to sell their gold, silver, and platinum jewellery.
Using years of expertise in the jewellery industry, we offer fair and transparent valuations, with prices based on the current market rate of gold, silver, and platinum. This ensures customers receive competitive offers in a secure and professional environment.
Our service provides:
• Instant Valuations & Same-Day Payouts
• Fair Pricing Based on Market Rates
• A Secure & Transparent Selling Process
Furniture Upcycling Training Courses – Learn the Art of Upcycling
In 2024, Vivian May Interiors introduced Upcycling Training Courses, offering customers the opportunity to learn how to professionally upcycle furniture using Frenchic paints, waxes, and sealants. These courses were designed to provide hands-on training, expert guidance, and creative inspiration, helping customers gain the confidence to transform their furniture with a high-quality, professional finish.
These courses are perfect for anyone looking to:
• Learn essential painting techniques for furniture and home décor.
• Understand surface preparation and finishing to create durable, long-lasting results.
• Gain hands-on experience with expert guidance in a friendly and inspiring setting.
• Explore creative techniques such as distressing, blending, and decorative effects.
Our training sessions cater to all skill levels, whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to refine your upcycling expertise. With expert tuition and hands-on practice, we aim to empower customers to confidently transform their furniture using eco-friendly and high-quality Frenchic products.
For more details on upcoming courses, availability, and booking, please visit us in-store or contact us directly.