Interior designer Sam Ward has opened his first retail outlet in Hale’s new Crown Passages development. We caught up with him.
ALTRINCHAM TODAY: You’ve just opened The Good Life Stores in Hale village. Can you give us some background as to how you’ve reached this point?
SAM WARD: I’ve worked as an interior designer for over five years with my sister company Homeward Interiors (@homeward_interiors) specialising in show homes and staging homes for sale.
Over the years I’ve worked with many amazing brands from across the world, and it has always been a dream of mine to bring all of these together under one roof for other people to discover and fall in love with as well.
AT: Tell us a bit more about the store itself and what kind of place you want it to be.
SW: The store has a very relaxed, airy feel. The shelves are not packed full of stock, instead displayed more museum-like to really allow the products to shine.
At the moment I am the only employee, so you can expect a really personal service by someone who is passionate about each and every curated product in store.
We have recently introduced coffee and cakes from local suppliers alongside our homeware and gift offering – so come and see us and grab a coffee whilst you browse our store or take a seat on one of many seats on the terrace and relax. Or pop in with your mood boards and design plans and let’s have a chat and see how I can help achieve your dream space.
AT: What kind of products and brands are you stocking and why have you chosen them?
SW: The majority of the brands I stock are of Scandinavian origin. I have always been a fan of Scandinavian design for their focus on simplicity, function and quality and this is echoed throughout the store.
You can expect to find statement pieces from Menu, a selection of vases and vessels from 101CPH that have been very popular.
We also have more everyday items such as tableware from House Doctor and Kinto, and specialty foods and beverages from Nicolas Vahe.
We also have an impressive selection of personal care products in our apothecary section – candles from Earl of East London brand, hand lotions and soaps from Meraki and luxury scents from Frama. We also have a large selection of prints available and artwork from local artists.
AT: You’re part of the new Crown Passages development – why did you choose it and how excited are you to be one of the first tenants?
SW: It’s great to be able to establish a presence as one of the first tenants at Crown Passages. Once a couple more of the units are open there’s going to be a great mix of businesses and hopefully become a real destination place for local residents and further afield.
What initially drew me to the development was the location, we’re just off the main high street in Hale, so it’s a little quieter and more relaxing for shopping and we also have the car park directly in front of us which is great for visibility and allowing customers to park and pop in. Being on the first floor we are also slightly elevated and it makes a great spot for a coffee on the terrace and people watching!
AT: What can people expect from a visit to The Good Life Stores?
SW: An exciting collection of curated products from Scandinavia, Japan, the UK and around the world. A calming atmosphere to shop, relax and discover. A place to discuss all things design with a passionate and friendly face.
The Good Life Stores, Crown Passages, Hale, Altrincham WA15 9SP. For more, visit The Good Life Stores online or follow @the_goodlife_stores on Instagram
Three of Sam’s picks
Duck Bowls
We have a great selection of 101CPH’s vases and vessels but our bestseller in the range is definitely the Duck Bowl. It’s a porcelain bowl, available in small and large in a variety of earthy colours. It can be used as a bowl but most people use them as decorative objects on a shelf or sideboard. They are also a great price point, starting at £22 for the small.
Waiting by Sofia Lind
Not only is Waiting by Sofia Lind our bestselling print, it’s also one of the bestselling items in the entire store. In fact I have struggled to keep them in stock. It’s available in various sizes that depicts a painting of a woman in a simple style using black and neutral colours.
Nicolas Vahé Speciality Salts
These have been really popular in-store and online. Available in a variety of flavours such as Everyday Salt & Pepper Mix, Secret Blend and Chilli Salt, Nicolas Vahé products are not only known for their simplistic and stylish packaging, but also their great quality ingredients. The speciality salts make a great gift.
Photography: Laura Marie Linck
