Amy Walker, founder of Romsey Vintage Hire explains how she turned her lifelong passion into her dream business.

Taking your passion and turning it into a successful business is a dream for many, and it is one that came true for Amy Walker. Having worked in architecture and design for 15 years, when Amy got married and became a mother she used the break in her career to fulfil her dream and create Romsey Vintage Hire.

"Romsey Vintage Hire brings together all the things I am passionate about and allows me to share them with others by creating amazing events and functions bespoke to my clients," says Amy.

Having studied architecture, restoration and architectural history at University in London, Amy
stayed in the Capital and worked for some of the biggest names in the industry including Colefax and Fowler and Alidad. Working on high-end architectural detailing and interior design projects, both in the UK and internationally, gave Amy invaluable experience that really ignited her love of styling and collectables.

"I’ve always had a keen interest in antiques and vintage finds, and I was becoming more and more
interested in how to restore and use them in styling and interiors. So, when I left London and moved back to Romsey in Hampshire, where I grew up, to have my first daughter and get married I decided it was the right time to take the leap and start my own business"

"Since my teens I have spent a lot of weekends and evenings at auctions, flea markets and car boot sales and so already had a growing collection of furniture and accessories ready for restoration and revamping. I set myself up a workshop and really quickly I was working on pieces for many of the local vintage shops and outlets in the area."

The arrival of her daughter, Eva, in 2014, meant Amy had to rethink the type and volume of work she was doing to fit it in around being a mum, and it was at this point whilst also planning her own wedding that she had the idea for Romsey Vintage Hire.

"I wanted to style the wedding myself but struggled locally to find the furniture and accessories I was after, it was then I realised all the treasures I had stockpiled in my workshop would be ideal for me to use and create a look and feel bespoke to myself and John."

"I found such joy in using all the treasures I’d accumulated over the years to make the venue look stunning, so many friends and guests commented on how wonderful and individual the styling was that I thought ‘I should do this for other peoples events’ and so Romsey Vintage Hire was born."

"The business allows me to combine my passions for styling, antiques and vintage and is something I can do while being a mum to two young daughters - Annie was born in May 2017. The sense of pride and satisfaction I get when a client is overjoyed with how their event looks is fantastic. I may drive John slightly mad with my requests for him to lift or move new furniture I have bought, but his support and faith in me has been instrumental in the business’s success."

"I have now styled many weddings, birthday parties and corporate functions. Romsey Vintage Hire is available for any event, no matter how big or small. We have an enviable assortment of bespoke pieces and can also help source something in particular if it’s not already in the collection. We create hand painted custom-made signs and props, which add a really personal touch to an event."

You can find out more about Amy and her creations at www.romseyvintagehire.co.uk. Her work can also be viewed on her Etsy shop. Follow her on Instagram.

"How I turned my passion into a successful business"

Amy Walker, founder of Romsey Vintage Hire explains how she turned her lifelong passion into her dream business.