Hello Vicki, many thanks for finding a moment to tell us more about your adoration for Maker’s Loft and vibrant Falmouth Town. To begin, we are aching to know what was the one thing that really made you fall in love with the property?

The quirkiness of the building, it being Grade II listed, and the view from the shop down Barracks Ope to the river makes coming to work (at below shop Inspire Maker’s) very pleasant!

What was your inspiration behind the interiors?

I was keen to avoid being overtly “sea-themed”, but I still wanted a nod to the maritime location. I also wished to make it as comfortable as possible with a “boutique” feel as, having stayed in many self-catering places myself over the years, I know how important it is for the place to be well-appointed, so your holiday is truly relaxing. The building was fully refurbished using local tradesmen and the mid-century vintage furniture, mixed with contemporary pieces, fits well with the personality of the apartment.

What makes Maker’s Loft the perfect getaway?

The apartment is in the independent heart of Falmouth, surrounded by excellent shops, cafés, bars and restaurants. If you want to get out and about it is just a short stroll down to Prince of Wales Pier for ferries and boat trips, or a 20-minute walk to the beaches. Falmouth also makes a great base for exploring Cornwall with a myriad of day-trip destinations within easy reach.

How would you best describe Falmouth to someone who’s yet to visit?

I am completely partisan in that I chose to live here but I firmly believe Falmouth is one of the best places in Cornwall. Being a working town with the docks and the university, Falmouth has a vibrant year-round personality. Most shops and restaurants are independently owned so we also have a great artisan vibe. There are fabulous beaches, you can get around by boat to Flushing, St Mawes and Trelissick, and there is the National Maritime Museum for rainy days. You can easily spend a week here not using the car but if you want to go further afield then there are so many places to go within a 45-minute drive. We also have a full calendar of events including the internationally recognised Sea Shanty festival so there is always something going on.

What are your favourite places to eat in the local area?

We are lucky in Falmouth to have a huge variety of excellent independent restaurants to choose from. The Wheelhouse seafood restaurant is our “go-to” place for dinner – if we can get a table! It is so popular it can get booked up six months in advance, but it is well worth waiting for. The Boathouse, just up the road from the property, has fabulous river views, as well as good food and drink; it’s a great place to while away a few hours watching the boats on a sunny evening.

What are your favourite Cornish brands?

I am a massive fan of Seasalt which is the most well-known Cornish export. I probably have enough of their clothes to open my own second-hand shop! And I wouldn’t survive the unpredictable Cornish winter weather without their waterproof raincoats.

And finally, could you tell us about your shop below Maker’s Loft, Inspire Makers?

After a few years living part-time in Falmouth, Inspire Makers (and Maker’s Loft) developed quickly when an ideal property came up for sale on the Old High Street just when I was starting to ponder my next career move. Taking a leap of faith, I bought the building, left my job and then worked out what to do!

Inspire Makers is a small business supporting and championing small creative businesses. Showcasing the work of over 50 local Cornish artists and makers, each one represents a different style or technique within their craft to highlight the vast diversity of creative expression possible. There is also a gallery area for short term art exhibitions, a workshop space for classes, to encourage people to get creative themselves, and my own jewellery studio.

I believe passionately that the regeneration of the high street is dependent on a focus on local communities, local businesses, and well-made long-lasting goods. Art and creativity is also excellent for well-being. I opened my doors in June 2020 during the pandemic and have been heartened by the change in people’s attitude to spending. It is wonderful to see the connection customers make with locally-made, handcrafted products, either through appreciating the workmanship, as a memento of Cornwall, or the story of the artist.  Each artist is fully promoted with their story so people can understand what goes into their craft. I know that most purchases will be treasured for a long time.