Local business profile - Louvienne's New Vintage
A family tradition of textile work and a commitment to preserving quality artisanship have led Marie Grindal to build a diverse and thriving business.
Louvienne’s New Vintage in Camperdown will celebrate its first anniversary in February.
“My Grandmother was a seamstress and my sisters are very good. My niece is a fashion designer. They’re all very talented.
“I used to work part time at home making drapery for people and lamp shades.
“The time was just right to open my own shop. I knew it would work. It’s just a matter of time.”
Marie is on a mission to stop quality old furniture going to landfill and rejuvenates pieces with new upholstery and paintwork.
Rather than the demanding work of restoring large pieces, she concentrates on turning smaller items, such as chairs, into design features.
“I’m aiming at statement pieces. If anybody’s got an older chair, drop in and we’ll see what we can do.
“I want to show young people if they have old furniture from their grandparents, the craftsmanship is just beautiful.
“It’s not your generation, but it can be, and it’ll last a lot longer. These pieces are 100 years old plus and they’re still going.
“My son, Callum, is an apprentice cabinet maker. He helps me. He does the structure on things.”
Creating unique lampshades is another of Marie’s passions.
“We can make anything from that old scrap of fabric in the back of the cupboard,” she said.
“I like different textures on fabrics and the way the fabric flows, or the way it sits on a piece.”
Marie uses Australian made and local materials whenever possible, but lampshades are a specialty area.
“The drum shades, I know how they’re going to turn out. It’s very difficult to find different shapes in Australia so a lot of frames come from the United States.
“I try to create different, unique pieces. A lot of fabrics are Italian fabrics.”
Marie also makes curtains and does a lot of alterations to existing curtains.
“I’ll come out and measure up and give a quote. It all depends what fabric you want.
“I’ve also put a lot of fabrics in for sale and I’m getting a lot of orders for recovering old cushions. You’ve got to recycle things.
“I have a range of recycled clothes which are quality. A lot still have the tags on.
Another of Marie’s specialties is creating one-off, hand-made tutus.
“They’re ready made, ready to go. A lot go to Melbourne through contacts I’ve got down there.”
Originally from Whittlesea, Marie had been holidaying in the area since here since childhood and when the time came for Marie, husband Steve, and Callum to leave the city behind, Camperdown called.
“We were ready for a tree change. We love the atmosphere. We love the people. We love the climate,” Marie said.
“I’d worked in the city all my life and just wanted to get out.”
The decision is paying off.
“I’m doing what I love and want to show my craft.”
“There’s been a lot of interest from Victoria-wide, especially special orders on chairs.
“A lot of it is word of mouth but also a lot of tourists come into town and wander around. Facebook and Instagram have been big as well.”
Louvienne’s also stocks boutique furniture paint, original art emu eggs from Kakadu and shells from Willie Creek Pearls in Broome, jewellery, giftware, and handmade cards by the Cudgee Card Lady.
Marie plans to hold painting, upholstery and macramé workshops in the future.
“What I’d like to do is run workshops for kids, so the craft is not lost.”
Louvienne’s New Vintage
10 Church Street Camperdown
0421 540 111
newvintagecamperdown@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/newvintagecamperdown/
Hours:
Wednesday-Friday, 9:30 am-4 pm
Saturday, 9 am-1 pm