Our Story

Art lover and natural artist, Ian has been 'doodling' for as long as he can remember.

After a long career in corporate hospitality and running his own speciality event management company, he decided to change direction when he had had enough of trudging around a field with mud up to his knees. Packing everything in and several courses later, Ian gained a 1st (Hons) Batchelor of Arts degree from Portsmouth University in Conservation and Restoration of Decorative Arts and Surfaces. He then moved straight into a Masters Degree at Buckingham New university, High Wycombe in Furniture Conservation, Restoration and Decorative Surfaces, leaving with a Distinction.

​

The search for a studio space to work and create in began. An opportunity for a large space at Fort Widley over looking Portsmouth was snatched up…'Heritage Skills Studio' was now established! A fervent collector of antique, art and decorative items, and on a never-ending quest for 'treasure', the vast space soon became full of furniture and frames, tools and tables, glassware, books and an array of art and a lot of  'this might come in handy one day...'

​

With painstaking attention to detail, coupled with highly skilled craftsmanship, over the past 20 years, Ian has worked on many pieces of furniture and projects in the studio, whilst also taking on projects and commissions in stately homes such as Wilton House, projects for The Courtauld Gallery in London, working for several Interior Designers as well as individual artistic commissions and restoration work for private clients.

 

Heritage Skills Studio grew, the need to find somewhere to showcase the items created and completed became evident.  In the autumn of 2019 the opportunity to take on a retail premises on Stockbridge High Street became available and so Newman's Decorative Living began.  After three years in as Newman's Decorative Living we were on the search again for a new studio space nearer to our Stockbridge shop.

 

We are now delighted to have both the studio/workshop and shop all under one roof at 'The Old Stables' nestled in the scenic countryside of Sandydown, Stockbridge, just 2 miles from the High Street.  Here you will find furniture for sale, our eclectic range of decorative items and accessories, and our creative workshops, as well as Ian working away daily on several projects.

​

Ian sets himself apart through creating completely bespoke art and decorative pieces, underpinned by his knowledge and respect of the history, tradition, techniques and materials of each piece. Being ethical in his approach, will politely decline if he feels something shouldn't be done.

​

Ian's style is a fusion of antique, vintage and contemporary design, with colour, pattern, and texture combined. We feel a joining of the present day and the past is a successful combination and compliment each other. Believing that your home is your journey, we provide an eclectic mix of different periods, styles and designs that create layers of interest in your home for a timeless look.

​

...AND TRACY

After twenty years as a College lecturer, Course manager, Assessor and Internal Verifier, Tracy left, and we made our move up to Winchester to open the shop.

Tracy is the 'behind the scenes' of Heritage Skills Studio and the development of the business at Newman's Decorative Living.

​

With a background in Education and Teaching, Tracy is extremely organised with an eye for detail, this ensures the smooth running of the business. In between teaching, she organises the showroom and the stock, takes the photographs for marketing, runs the Social Media, and designs and manages the website. 

Tracy also creates our events and workshops.

​

Continue to follow us on our journey and

keep up to date by following us on social media

Ian & Tracy