When did the store open?
I opened it in 2004 after returning home to Wales following 20 years in London. I’d reached a point where I wanted to do something for myself and opening a gift shop was something I’d often talked about. In the end, I took a deep breath, bit the bullet and went for it and I’ve never looked back.
What inspired the name?
“That’s Lovely That” is a phrase we use all the time here in Wales, so it felt very natural. But oh my goodness, it took forever to settle on! There were so many opinions, and I very nearly didn’t go with it. My brother even pointed out that typing thatslovelythat.com would take 19 keystrokes which nearly put me off! In the end, it turned out to be one of the best decisions I made. People constantly comment on the name, and it really seems to stick.
How did you discover Annie Sloan paints?
I signed the lease on the shop on a Friday, and that same weekend I went away for a quick break before starting the setup. While I was in Dulwich, London, I walked into an Annie Sloan stockist and immediately thought it would be perfect for painting my shop front. Then, halfway through painting it, I had a bit of a lightbulb moment and thought why not become a stockist myself? And that was that.
Tell us about the shop
I stock the full range of Annie Sloan products, including wall paint, alongside a lots of lovely gifts and cards. I try to include a Welsh influence where I can, but not exclusively, my aim is to offer things you won’t find everywhere else. That probably comes from my previous job, where I travelled all over the UK. The architecture from city to city was always inspiring, but the shops often felt exactly the same and I wanted to create something a bit more individual.
What is the local area like?
Abergavenny is a brilliant place. The high street is full of independent shops, all with their own personality, and there’s a real sense of community. We’re known as the gateway to Wales, so alongside shopping there’s walking, fantastic food, and plenty to explore. You can quite easily come for a wander and end up staying all day.
What Chalk Paint workshops do you run?
I run the workshops myself, usually every three months, as well as sessions for groups such as the Women’s Institute and local craft groups. We’ve painted everything from flowerpots and picture frames to wooden crates.
The aim is to give people a proper hands-on feel for how the paint works, how to use the brushes, and what you can achieve with the waxes, but most importantly, to give them the confidence to go home and have a go themselves.
Share a fun fact about the shop
My first Saturday job was in the shop next door and now I run this one! My landlord is the son of the original owner which feels like a proper full-circle moment.
What’s the most memorable customer experience you’ve had?
I’ve had customers come in convinced they’re ‘not creative at all’, and then return weeks later having completely transformed a piece of furniture. Seeing that shift in confidence is probably the most memorable part of what I do.
