New home & lifestyle boutique arrives in St Leonards

Tala Home and Living opened in November and is yet another positive asset to the area, which has seen many independent businesses open recently, all good news for the town.

The business is owned by Debbie Quargnolo, a designer who hails from Milan, Italy, but has called the UK home for 35 years. Her new permanent shop follows three years of operating popular pop-ups at Folks in London Road and Introduced in Kings Road.

Debbie said: "I developed my love for slow handmade textiles whilst travelling around India, where I visited block printing studios up and down the country. I specifically loved the natural colour palette used by some of the artisans there. I did an upholstery diploma in London and began making lampshades.

"Over the years, the brand became what it is now. In the last few years, I have got into restyling vintage furniture by adding design elements and transforming average brown furniture into one-of-a-kind pieces, using paint and upholstery. I offer a range of products, including furniture, lighting, and soft furnishings, aiming to add design pieces with a story to my customers' interiors."

She added: "I have seen so many new interesting businesses opening up here, so when this space became available, I knew it was time for me to go for it full-time. The brand established itself locally once I started doing pop-ups, thanks to the amazing support of people who are happy to invest in local artists and designers, as well as those who source all sorts of interesting and beautiful things, rather than buying from big brands.

"Since I moved to London Rd, my shop neighbours have been the best, providing support, knowledge and coffee when I need it. It's a great community, and I feel privileged to be part of it."

Debbie believes that shoppers are starting to get tired of buying online and want that social interaction again when it comes to purchasing products: "I think many shoppers are interested in genuine connections with real people and appreciate the process, what a product has been through to get where it is, a slower process than the average factory or sweatshop. I always spend time explaining when and how the products were made, and people are generally interested. Even though I understand that my customers represent a drop in the ocean in the bigger scheme of things, I am hopeful that more and more people are choosing to support handmade and small businesses.

"I also love inviting local artists to add their work to the shop, helping me create a calming and inspiring space where you can feast your eyes. There is a great independent shop and interior scene in St Leonards, turning this little seaside town into a destination place, which is very exciting."

Tala Home and Living is open Wednesday to Saturday, 10-5, and on Sunday, 12-4. You can email Debbie at [email protected] or follow the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tala.homeandliving