IN BUSINESS

iane Mackrill has always loved going to auctions, and collecting English porcelain and china has long been a particular passion of hers.

“Turning my hobby into a business was something I had often dreamed of,” she says, “but what with one thing and another I never quite made the leap.”

Six years ago, though, she and husband Bruce decided the time was right for a change, and Boomerang Furnishings was born. Today it’s a flourishing business shipping vintage, retro and antique furniture, glass, ceramics and soft furnishings across the UK, and even as far afield as the USA and Japan. The company’s clients have included celebrities and film studios – and one order for monogrammed porcelain even came from Buckingham Palace!

AN EYE FOR A BUY

Back in the days before Boomerang Furnishings was launched, Diane’s love of porcelain and china meant that she often found herself buying mixed lots at auction just to get hold of one particular piece. When she started selling the surplus items online she soon found people asking her if she could source this or that item for them – and the business grew naturally from there.

Today Boomerang Furnishings usually has between 200 and 250 pieces for sale at any one time, with stock ranging from dining tables, desks, armchairs, sofas and floor lamps to mirrors, candlesticks, vases, platters, trays and fine crystal glasses. Diane buys with a keen eye for price and condition, and every piece to be sold on is carefully inspected and cleaned. Working with a network of trusted local experts, including cabinet makers, upholsterers and upholstery cleaners, she ensures that every item that leaves Boomerang Furnishings is in immaculate condition.

To stay ahead of the latest fashions, Diane combs through the latest issues of lifestyle magazines to hone her sense of what’s trending. But to fire her interest an item needs to be more than merely ornamental. “I like unusual and appealing things,” she says, “but they need to be practical as well as attractive – even if their practical use is something other than what they were intended for in the first place. And for their part our clients can be very creative; one lady, for example, decided to use a vintage desk that she bought from us as a kitchen island!”

“a lot of the fun of the job is the thrill of the chase, the excitement of finding something everyone else has missed.”

“It’s a very satisfying feeling to know that when you have transformed it someone will appreciate and value it.”

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

“When I’m planning to go to an auction I will study the catalogue very carefully and go along to the viewing with a shopping list. But often in amongst other items you’ll spot something else that looks interesting. So for me a lot of the fun of the job is the thrill of the chase, the excitement of finding something everyone else has missed.

“I also love it when you find an item that you know will look a treat when it has been cleaned and polished. It’s a very satisfying feeling to know that when you have transformed it someone will appreciate and value it, and will be happy to pay a healthy price for it.”

Another rewarding aspect of the job, both Bruce and Diane agree, is the warm relationships they build with their clients. “We sell all over the world, and to all sorts of people,” says Diane. “Even when we don’t actually meet customers face to face, the positive feedback that we get really encourages us to carry on.” So do the couple plan to expand the business? More a case of ‘steady as she goes’, it seems. “Bruce and I rub along together very well,” says Diane. “I don’t want to have to worry about hiring and managing staff, I just want to carry on enjoying what I’m doing: selling nice pieces to nice people!” For more information follow Boomerang Furnishings on Facebook (@BoomerangFurnishings) or Twitter (@boomerangdecor). Their showroom at Copt Hewick near Ripon is open for viewings by appointment, call 07934 508596.

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