Pamela Shakeshaft is the owner and main designer at Smart Interiors, she is also the 7th generation of the Shakeshaft family to be involved with home interiors and wall coverings.  Dating back to 1811 when Pamela's great, great, great, great grandfather  James Shakeshaft changed career as a milliner to a house painter, following his father's death caused by mercury poisoning from hat making .

 

James' two sons then went on to start their own business in 1870 called J. Shakeshaft and Sons combining, plumbing and decorating. They opened a shop in Chorlton, Cum Hardy selling wall coverings, paint and sanitary wear. The business successfully passed down three further generations and finally to Pamela's grandfather James Russell Shakeshaft. Unfortunately when World War Two struck, cut backs had to be made and the shop was sadly closed. 

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Luckily the tradition did not end there as Pamela's father went on to train and qualify as a painter, decorator and sign writer. Pamela's father still to this day is a talented scenic artist for a local theatre company.

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Pamela's mother also strongly influenced her passion for interior design, fabrics and sewing. From an extremely early age Pamela was exposed to homemade fashion, furnishings and could sew by the age of six. Although her mother is now retired, she continues to utilise her skills by creating beautiful, bespoke, handcrafted bags out of our surplus fabrics to prevent landfill. These bags are available to purchase in our showroom and all proceeds are donated to The Salvation Army. 

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After leaving school Pamela went on to study Art and Design and Surface pattern design which involved designing wallpaper. She also Studied Interior Design and Commercial Design and gained a distinction qualification in City and Guilds.

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