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Running a successful business while being kept on your toes by three primary school-aged children is no mean feat, but this is what’s accomplished daily by Tamryn and Brendan Maguire of Velvet Home & Living.
The number 13 seems all but unlucky for the industrious Maguire duo: They made George their home 13 years ago and, immediately on arrival, proceeded to build a house at Kingswood. Brendan and Tamryn have also been working together in harmony since 2013 – a notion that would make many married couples break out in a cold sweat.
But when entering the Velvet Home & Living showroom at 78 Hope Street, the senses are soothed within seconds: the vast space is adorned with furniture and interior accessories so pleasing to the eye that it’s hard to focus on any single item or particular arrangement – lighting has been expertly designed to optimally display hundreds of pieces; also, it smells really good. This sense of harmony is not only supplied by the surrounding eye candy but also by the gentle welcome of staff and proprietors alike.
Chatting to the Maguires, even upon first meeting, feels like connecting with friends. Small wonder their clients come back for more of the same knowledgeable service, time and again. A history of hard graft Before making the move to George from Joburg, Tamryn worked as an attorney in the corporate sphere while Brendan owned a courier business. But the Maguires had a plan to swap the Big Smoke for cleaner living closer to the coast – and to start a family.
‘When PostNet in York Street came up for sale, it created the perfect opportunity to move to George,’ says Brendan, adding that Tamryn’s brother Craig Field joined them on this new business and lifestyle adventure, also settling at Kingswood from the word go. Tamryn explains that Velvet Home & Living had been firmly established in the Southern Cape from way before their arrival, and that her father, Glenn (a chartered accountant by trade), had bought into the business as a shareholder in 2017. ‘Original owners Frank and Sue Bartman had been retailing furniture and decor in the area since 1996, so it’s a Garden Route-based business through and through,’ she says.
But their intricate involvement with Velvet was still a few years into the future. When Brendan bought the Trellidor franchise for George, Mossel Bay and Knysna, Tamryn helped him run that business while being a first-time mom; it was also their first stint of working together as a couple. They had two more kids at 2.5-year intervals, and mothering was the order of Tamryn’s day.
But by 2018, she could throw herself into a fresh business venture, and the Velvet era took flight. When Brendan sold Trellidor in 2022, he joined the company on a full-time basis; what they didn’t know about interior decor at the outset was quickly learnt by immersing themselves in the industry. ‘We have excellent suppliers with whom we’ve built great relationships over the years. Frank is still involved on the buying side, and together our team tries to ensure that clients get the best service and products available in the country,’ says Tamryn. Indeed, they serve customers in all corners of the country; all pieces are imported and then displayed at the George HQ or their smaller showroom on Knysna’s Waterfront Drive. One can also browse and shop their full range online.
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They have a warehouse at Steinhoff Business Park, and a trio of transport vehicles to deliver purchased pieces to buyers post-haste. ‘We have stock of every item showcased on our showroom floor, so there are no waiting periods – what you buy today can feature in your home tomorrow,’ beams Brendan, clearly proud of the unique selling points that set Velvet Home & Living apart from big-name corporate industry counterparts.
Busy days, dog walks, and bucket lists The Maguire brood – Connor, 12, Nasia, 9, and Kai, 7 – complete the family picture. Oh, and let’s not forget Oscar the golden retriever and Kohbi the yorkie, who are as much a part of this happy Kingswood family. ‘The kids take on so much these days; even our youngest now has a busy schedule! Between school work and extras like gymnastics, soccer, rugby, dancing, cricket, and choir, weeks can fly by in a blur,’ says Tamryn. But no matter what the weather, the dogs are walked daily on the beautiful estate.
‘We love spending time together as a family, either in or around Kingswood, visiting family in the Cape, or for a quick getaway to spend time with Tamryn’s folks in Plett. The town has grown so much since we first moved here, and apart from the many eateries and entertainment options, we also love spending time in nature.’ In fact, so serious were they about not missing out on the hundreds of great outdoor attractions along the Route that pen was put to paper. ‘At the beginning of the year, we started drawing up a bucket list. We are slowly working our way through the list, and still amazed at how many incredible places there are to discover in this beautiful area that we are so blessed to call home.’
Back to business Travels further afield are also part of the Maguires’ recent past and future: Tamryn recently had the pleasure of cruising the Med with her mother to celebrate Mom’s 70th birthday. This trip had been a dream of theirs to do together for a number of years, and memories to treasure for ever were made. Now Brendan is gearing up for a trek to China during the first fortnight of September. ‘I’m extremely excited to attend the World Furniture Expo in Shanghai from 10 to 13 September.
The exposure to international trends and product ranges will be sure to segue into our business and enhance our offerings to the local market,’ says Brendan. When you’re browsing through Velvet Home & Living, its eclectic array of furniture and decor has a definite global feel: whether the style is industrial, modern or farmhouse, corporate or comfy home, the blend is harmonious and the common theme is timeless. Often, when new arrivals from up north settle in George with their eye on buying and furnishing a new property, their default position is to consult the big-name vendors with branches across the land. A little bit of homework will enlighten those in the market for unique decor that this local enterprise not only compares favourably in price, but also provides unparalleled client service.
