From My Living Room to Towcester High Street – The Story Behind Miller & Chalk

There’s something truly special about seeing your work come to life in homes just down the road. When I first started Miller & Chalk during lockdown, I never imagined I’d one day have my own studio - or be chatting with so many of you in person on Towcester High Street.

How It All Began

Like many of us, I was looking for something to pour my energy into during those strange, quiet lockdown days. I started cutting out fabric and sewing in my living room, surrounded by scraps of material and far too many pins scattered on the floor.

It became my therapy - something creative and comforting to focus on. But it was also the start of something I didn’t quite see coming. After a breakup and selling my home, I moved back in with my parents. Their spare room quickly turned into my little sewing room, full of fabric rolls, threads, and feather fillings. From there, Miller & Chalk was born - one handmade cushion at a time.

The Barn – A Dream Come True

I never thought I’d find a place quite like the barn. Nestled in Astcote, just outside Towcester, it’s now where I spend most of my days designing, sewing, and packing orders.

It’s bright and peaceful, surrounded by countryside - the perfect space to be creative. Every cushion, curtain, and blind passes through that little barn before finding its way into someone’s home. It’s still surreal to call it my studio, and I feel grateful for it every single day.

Our Pop-Up on Towcester High Street

This summer, at the beginning of August, I opened a pop-up shop on Towcester High Street - something I’d dreamed about for a long time. I searched everywhere for the right space, and when I finally found it, it felt like the perfect fit in the perfect location.

For just over a week, I got to meet so many lovely people from the Towcester community. It was wonderful to put faces to the names of customers I’d only spoken to online or via email. So many people stopped by to chat, browse fabrics, or pick up one of our plump feather cushions - it was such a heartwarming experience.

I’m hoping to open again in the future (so keep an eye out for updates!), but for now, I’m back in my barn, sewing away.

Made to Measure Curtains & Blinds

At Miller & Chalk, every set of curtains and blinds is made to measure, carefully crafted by hand using beautiful quality fabrics. All our curtains are interlined which gives them that lovely weight and neat, luxurious look when they hang.

They aren’t cheaply made or rushed; they’re thoughtfully made to last. Whether you’re dreaming of full-length linen curtains for a country sitting room or neat Roman blinds for a cosy kitchen, I can help you find fabrics and finishes that suit your home perfectly.

I offer home visits for local customers around Towcester, Brackley, Silverstone and nearby villages - or you can always get in touch by email to chat through your ideas.

Our Famous Feather Cushions

It all began with a cushion. The first thing I ever made and sold was one of our feather cushions, and they’re still one of the things I’m most proud of.

They’re super plump, full of life, and made with beautiful, earthy-toned fabrics that bring warmth and texture to any home. No floppy, lifeless cushions here, just that satisfying “plump and perfect” look that stays full and inviting.

Over time, they’ve become something of a Miller & Chalk signature, and it always makes me smile when someone tells me, “I have one of your cushions on my sofa!”

Looking Ahead

This journey has been full of twists and turns, from my living room floor to my parents’ spare room, and now to a beautiful barn studio in Astcote. Opening the Towcester pop-up was a milestone I’ll never forget, and meeting so many of you reminded me exactly why I started this business in the first place.

I’m already thinking about the next pop-up (though I can’t say too much yet!) and new fabric collections coming soon. Until then, I’ll be in the barn - cutting, sewing, and helping you bring your home projects to life.

Let’s Create Something Beautiful Together

If you’re in Towcester or nearby and you’d like to chat about made to measure curtains, bespoke blinds, or our famous feather cushions, I’d love to hear from you.

You can email me directly to talk about fabrics, measurements, or book a local home visit:

📩info@millerandchalk.co.uk