A couple from Greater Manchester will transform an old town centre dairy into a three-storey tile shop and design and architectural coworking studio.
Tile By Tile is the brainchild of couple Dasha and Basil McFarland, who have spent six months personally refurbishing an early Victorian building with a view to officially open and start running in August.
The creative space in Altrincham will occupy a 3,200 sq ft building used to sell ceramic and porcelain tiles and wall coverings, including UK-exclusive premium ranges and extra large format tiles not widely available on the high street.
Ms McFarland said: “There are a lot of quite repetitive designs on the UK market and as we have been working in the industry for several years, we know the demand for unique wall covering products - from both professionals and end users.
“We’ve been operating online for a few years and we got feedback saying that our products were so unique, so decorative and people want to come and see them.”
However, the shop isn’t “just offering tiles”, Mr McFarland stressed.
He said: “We will also be offering waterproof, customisable Italian wallpaper, resins, decorative concrete coverings and supporting products such as adhesives, grouts and sealers.
The building will also house a coworking, research and presentation space for architects and designers to hire long or short term, which will feature presentation and meeting tables, high-speed internet and access to innovative design materials.
Ms McFarland said: “We just wanted to create a working community where creatives can come and socialise and bring their projects to life.
“We know there’s a vast amount of people who are working in this field and we just saw a gap in the market to bring them all together.”
Mr McFarland added: “We are looking to tap into the growing demand for uniquely personal home and commercial spaces, while also offering a great working space for the vast number of independent designers and architects in the area.”
The shop and studio will also be located in Altrincham, which Ms FcFarland says is the “perfect” place to launch.
She said: “We live here and will be located alongside other high-end interior retailers and design and architecture businesses close to Manchester city centre.”
She added: “It’s just an opportune moment for us to open a shop just across to where we live in a very good location on Church Street.
“It’s got excellent passing traffic and it’s connected with two well-known kitchen showrooms and it’s got a number of shops down the line of design and renovation.”
