PEOPlE

Specialist re-upholsterers and curtain makers James Eugénio based in Olhão, offer excellent service and quality with an extraordinary attention to detail.

This month we had the great pleasure to be invited to Olhão to meet the delightful team behind James eugénio. last year we used their services ourselves, they completely transformed two very tired vintage chairs, which they immaculately refurbished and brought them back to their former glory. James is from the soviet union and served in the military as a colonel for an amazing 25 years. he was honoured by the Government with the “gold star” for his long service in afghanistan. he retired at the age of 42 and decided to start a new civilian life in a new country away from his native ukraine, where he met his wife valentyna. after travelling through europe to Germany, czechoslovakia, and spain, James and valentyna settled in the east algarve in 2000, and now have two daughters, silvia and Patricia both born here in Portugal. valentyna was a primary school teacher in her home country. she and James met duncan, a friend and confidant, whilst working in almancil for a large curtain maker. they spent six years enjoying working together, got on very well and decided to do the same after the company closed. James and valentyna embarked on launching their own shop in Olhão with the encouragement from duncan. it has now been open for 18 months and is tremendously busy, despite the current economic situation. they offer a full, complete service, as well as the important curtain

hanging, and fitting and with their workshop on site, everything is made to order. Offering an amazing choice of fabrics including Jovek, reig marti, elika, Fusa and uv Pro fabric, the choice of finishes is also amazing. James’s military background has passed directly through into their work with complete perfection the key. duncan and his wife sarah, originally from norfolk, were based in loughton were he owned his own blind, curtain and awning business. they had friends based in moncarapacho whom they visited with their daughter elizabeth, who after attending the international school in almancil is now at cambridge university studying Physiology. they have settled in almancil and now have projects involving the full decoration of villas and houses, as well as the soft furnishings with James and valentyna. James eugénio offer anything to the individual choice from traditional to modern, pelmets, to French pleats, wooden or metal poles, bedding, headboards and cushions, anything is possible, from small to large projects, and handmade to absolute perfection. very many thanks to James and valentyna, a truly delightful couple who make everyone very welcome, and are so helpful in ensuring complete satisfaction and value to all their customers.

For contact details and directions see their advert on page 27.