Homes: How to cosy up your rooms with Rebel & Ashby

It’s a year since former nurse Kerry Ashby changed career lanes, opening her small-but-perfectly-formed interiors store Rebel & Ashby in St Neots. To mark the milestone, she chats to Velvet

How did Rebel & Ashby come about? Why did I open a shop? Well the truth is I never expected to! My career was in nursing and I did love it, I worked hard and had a great job. But the long hours and stress took its toll and the inevitable happened, I burnt out. Fast-forward to now and I am unexpectedly a shopkeeper.

How did that even happen? I’m not really sure if I’m honest but somehow I turned my passion for interiors into a business. When I say I stumbled across the shop I literally did; I just knew it was meant to be and my life changed. I now have a business I love and have met the most wonderful people that are now my friends.

What makes the brand one of a kind? Ours is a small shop but full to the brim with gorgeous home décor, candles and everything you didn’t know you needed in your home, but once you see it you love it. We offer interior styling advice and are happy to source items too.

What can shoppers expect when they visit the store? Our shop is small and welcoming and we pride ourselves on the personal touch. We have a range of brands, our pieces are quirky and we only have items in the shop that we love and would - or do! - have in our own home.

Which key pieces can you recommend to bring autumn into the home? Autumn is all about cosying your home and making you want to curl up and relax.

1.Candles - scented candles are perfect for cosying up your space and bringing the autumn vibes. Pumpkin is our favourite autumn scent

2.Lighting - layering lighting is key here; you want ambient lighting on your coffee tables, shelves and side tables and wall lights give the perfect glow. Turn off the main light and enjoy subtle lighting

3.Throws - layer up the texture and cosy up with throws

Rebel & Ashby is at Cross Keys Mews, St Neots and online at rebelandashby.com. Delivery is available. Follow on Instagram and Facebook: @rebelandashby