MOVING to Canowindra within a week of each other, Jackie Merchant and Sophie White first connected as neighbours.
They soon discovered another shared path when both enrolled at the Sydney Design School to study interior decorating.
Five years later, that serendipitous connection inspired Finch & Hatton, a thriving creative homewares business featuring its own shopfront on Canowindra’s main street.
What began as a home-based creative endeavor expanded as they crafted furnishings and homewares, aiming for a dedicated location to produce and present their work.
When a vacant storefront became available, they took the chance.
“We spent a month, maybe six weeks, painting it and getting it tidy,” Merchant said..
Over the October long weekend, Finch & Hatton marks its first full year in the storefront.
The shop’s unique focus is instantly recognisable, with vintage fabrics taking center stage.
Passionate about repurposed materials, Merchant and White transform pre-loved textiles into cushions and soft furnishings.
Obtained from various sources, each vintage textile is thoroughly inspected, cleaned, and paired before being cut and hand-sewn in their Canowindra studio.
This painstaking process sets their creations apart from mass-produced items.
Craftsmanship is central to their approach, especially for White, who handles much of the sewing.
“Every cushion is one of a kind,” Merchant said.
For White, who does much of the sewing, craftsmanship is particularly important.
“She’s a perfectionist,” Merchant said about her business partner.
The quality of the finished product is even scrutinised by customers who, according to Merchant, will turn cushions over to inspect the workmanship.
“We pride ourselves on that,” Merchant said.
While vintage textiles remain central to Finch & Hatton, the business has continued to evolve, incorporating designer fabrics and Australian organic cotton products.
Environmental responsibility plays a key role in guiding what the duo selects and produces.
Where feasible, they evaluate material sourcing, environmental footprint, and whether items are Australian-made, organic, or natural.
Furthermore, waste is kept to an absolute minimum.
For instance, leftover vintage fabric is repurposed into lavender bags, and remaining scraps fill dog beds instead of synthetic stuffing.
Choosing vintage is not just about capturing a nostalgic look for Merchant and White, it’s about using resources that already exist.
Bespoke services are also available, allowing sentimental textiles to be crafted into fresh, functional creations.
Clients can supply cherished fabrics, like vintage curtains, to be reimagined instead of thrown away.
With Canowindra developing a distinct artistic character, Merchant and White said they view the town as an ideal location for their enterprise.
“It is an arty, creative town,” Merchant said.
Although Finch & Hatton has been based at its Gaskill Street location for just a year, the duo has no intention of slowing down.
According to the pair, staying adaptable means embracing fresh concepts, new materials, and evolving style trends without losing the creative core behind their original vision.
“We started it, not really as a business, but as a creative endeavour,” White said.
“So, we try new stuff.”
Located at 66 Gaskill Street, Canowindra, Finch & Hatton welcomes visitors from Tuesday through Saturday.
Alongside their retail shopfront, they take on custom commissions, operate an online store, and feature their work at select markets.