Monday Interview: Ally Dowsing-Reynolds, co-owner of Dowsing & Reynolds luxe interiors
The co-owner of a luxe interiors brand which opened its first store in Leeds this autumn said the business is taking advantage of a “rocketing” increase in the home and gardens market.
Dowsing & Reynolds is owned by husband and wife team Ally and James Dowsing-Reynolds. The company was launched in 2012 and Mrs Dowsing-Reynolds said it has only seen demand increase.
She previously had a senior role in an advertising agency working on strategy for large brands and leading teams of marketing specialists.
She explained her company’s founder James “fell into the industry” after creating concrete sculptures in his spare time. When she spotted a concrete light fitting in a magazine around seven years ago she suggested to him that he could make a better version.
Mrs Dowsing-Reynolds added: “He’s a guy who gets things done and he did indeed produce a concrete lamp. That’s when Dowsing & Reynolds was born.
“We are now both fully immersed in the world of home décor with myself leading the brand and marketing side of the business and James focusing on designing and sourcing new products. We have a third director, Tony, looking after the operations.”
She said the business is always exploring gaps in the market, noting: “With all our products, we’re inspired by our interactions with the everyday environment. We’re curious about how we can make ordinary things better. We consider the detail we can add to improve their look and feel. It’s what makes us unique in the market in terms of our overall product offering.”
She said the firm’s first store, which opened in the Leeds Victoria Quarter at the end of September, received a “phenomenal” reception.
“We’re so proud of the whole team for pulling together and getting us to such a great place,” she added.
“It’s a concept store, which James and I designed to mimic a home. You walk through the different rooms to experience the products. Designing it ourselves really pushed us, but it was right for us because we wanted to offer something different to the usual retail fare.
“The store has taken us to 50 staff in total across our HQ in North Leeds and in the Victoria Quarter shop. It’s great seeing the team grow.”
Commenting on how the market has changed for Dowsing & Reynold’s products since it was founded, she said: “Consumers are getting more design savvy about their homes. We are featured regularly on TV shows like Grand Designs, George Clark’s Ugly House to Lovely House and The Great Interior Design Challenge – all these types of shows contribute to people becoming more confident about designing their homes to say something about them.
“Despite the current uncertainty, demand is only increasing with homeowners collectively spending £295bn renovating their homes in the last five years.
“We’ve seen little bumps, but for the vast majority of the time, we’ve seen incredible growth. Now, it’s impossible to predict what that could have been if the economic uncertainty had not been there. Maybe we would have grown even more. Who can say?”
She said the firm’s inclusion in national television programmes had been valuable for its profile, giving it a chance to showcase products at a national level.
She said: “Our progress makes us very excited for what’s to come in 2020. We’re already on track to hit £5m turnover by the end of the year, and we hope to continue that growth next year.
“Working hard to ensure the continued success of our Leeds Victoria Quarter store is a primary focus for us at the moment. Retail is not an easy business to be in and we know we have to work hard to stand out and get that success.
“In terms of home shows, Harrogate Homebuilding and Renovating Show is next in early November, and then we’re into brand planning for the next financial year.”
