My In-Depth Closs and Hamblin Review: Beloved Home Goods with Room to Improve
As a lover of fabrics and stationery, I‘ve shopped with Closs and Hamblin for over 5 years now. I know their stores like the back of my hand! When friends ask me about Closs and Hamblin though, they want the full scoop – what‘s good, what‘s just okay, what could be better.
Well friends, I‘m here to give you the complete lowdown after half a decade as a devoted customer. Below you‘ll find my comprehensive first-hand review of the cherished UK home goods brand. Grab a cuppa and settle in!
Overview: What Is Closs and Hamblin?
For anyone unfamiliar, Closs and Hamblin is a staple destination for fabrics, custom-made curtains, wallpaper, craft materials, gifts and more across the UK. First opened in 1933 by Harold Closs and Cyril Hamblin, the brand now has 9 locations and an ecommerce site.
I‘d describe their vibe as classic meets contemporary. They masterfully blend heritage British sensibilities (think delicate floral prints) with modern color palettes and accessories. Closs and Hamblin feels both beautifully timeless yet current.
They specialize most in textiles and window furnishings but also sell stationary, puzzles, plants, baskets, candles and assorted homewares. There‘s something delightful around every turn!
Pros: Diverse inventory, family-owned charm, trend-aware
Cons: Prices run high, some unevenness across categories
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
My Experiences Shopping In-Store
On a blustery Tuesday afternoon, I crossed the polished wood floors of Closs and Hamblin‘s York location for likely the 100th time. The charming shop sits on a quiet side street, huge glass windows welcoming you inside.
I came looking for fabric to reupholster our living room accent chair. I always savor the textures of the double-height piles of cottons, silks, velvets and wools as I pass through to the back wall where bolts of patterns and solids stretch from floor to ceiling.
The aisles feel warmly lit, spacious enough for three people to browse together comfortably. Soft classical music plays overhead.
Despite the high-end ambience, the staff greet me cheerfully by name, always down-to-earth. They inquire about my latest projects, share industry tricks, and point out new arrivals I might like.
During this visit, Helen directed me towards a new line of Belgian linens with lovely flecks of color that would suit my mid-century chair perfectly. I left with 5 yards, excited to get sewing.
Closs and Hamblin‘s service creates a truly memorable, personal shopping experience – it‘s almost like visiting friends who happen to have 10,000 beautiful products to peruse!
Pros: Helpful staff, spacious well-lit store, loyalty rewards program
Cons: Can get crowded on weekends
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Reviewing the Closs and Hamblin Ecommerce Experience
As much as I love leisurely strolling their stores, convenience calls, so I often shop Closs and Hamblin online too. Browsing their site proves just as inspiring with lifestyle category pages and new arrivals sections to get lost in.
I particularly appreciate how filtering and search make it easy to narrow down my options. If I want striped organic cottons under £15/meter, I can specify that immediately.
Detailed product descriptions provide all the specs I need on fiber content, print sizes, dimensions and production origin without overwhelming with excess text. Photos capture texture and drape accurately.
One minor complaint – prices appear only when adding items to my bag, so I occasionally get surprised by higher-than-expected costs. Most competitors show pricing upfront.
Ordering is smooth and checkout flows quickly. I can save my payment details for record time convenience. One click and my shopping time is done!
So far, each parcel has arrived neatly packed, undamaged and within the stated 1-5 day timeframe. The shipping confirmation emails let me track progress too.
My occasional returns also processed without trouble. Just fill out the form they include, repack everything carefully, and drop off at my local post office. Refunds come through in 5-7 business days.
Pros: Great site navigation and filtering, detailed product information, smooth checkout
Cons: Pricing only visible at checkout
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5/5
Standout Strength: Fabrics & Wallpapers
As a sewer and occasional interior decorator, I‘ve explored almost every inch of Closs and Hamblin‘s fabrics. From lace trims to upholstery textiles, their selection impresses me again and again thanks to smart curation and constant new arrivals.
They offer expected staples like soft quilting cottons, versatile linen blends and cozy flannels. But then I discover unique finds too – award-winning digital prints, buttery alpaca wool, even vegan silk.
The notions wall rivals any sewing store with threads, zippers, interfacing and more. I love that they sell fabric and accents in one place.
Closs and Hamblin‘s exclusive prints cause the most cart damage for me though! Whimsical patterns like jitterbug hedgehogs or teacup floral trails tempt me every time.
Beyond apparel textiles, Closs and Hamblin‘s wallpapers, with over 300 options, make redecorating a dream. Vintage damasks, playful murals, regal stripes – they have it all. I love bringing home samples to envision in my space.
The quality of these core categories remains unmatched. Yes, you pay a bit more, but the fabrics and papers last, retaining vibrancy and structure. To me, worthwhile investments!
Pros: Abundant, unique inventory, paired notions, frequent new arrivals
Cons: Above average costs (worth it for me!)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Made-to-Measure Curtains & Window Treatments
What first drew me to Closs and Hamblin years ago was their custom-made curtains and blinds. Bring them your window measurements and fabric selections and their workrooms craft everything to order.
I adore my butterfly sheer curtains and matching teal blackout roman shades in the bedroom. Five years later, the colors remain rich thanks to quality construction. Hemlines sit perfectly even despite multiple washes.
Pencil pleats, eyelets, grommets, interlining, contrast bands…they do it all with an incredible attention to detail. I appreciate too that each order comes with extra fabric and notions for future repairs if needed.
Closs and Hamblin sets themselves apart from basic big box custom options. Yes, the month-long turnaround takes patience, but the results feel special. I proudly show off my windows to visitors as "Closs and Hamblin Originals!"
Pros: High-quality construction and materials, helpful guidance
Cons: Lead times run 4+ weeks
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Reviewing Other Key Categories
Beyond Closs and Hamblin‘s undisputed specialities in textiles and window wares, how do other departments stack up? Here‘s my category-by-category breakdown:
Gifts & Crafts – Closs and Hamblin expanded their gifts and crafts section dramatically a few years back, likely trying to capture more casual shoppers. It admittedly feels eclectic, like they‘re still figuring out this category‘s identity. Stationery and puzzles shine; the decorative accents need better curation.
Pros: Great card and puzzle options
Cons: Crafts lack cohesion, home decor hit or miss
⭐⭐⭐ 3/5
Furniture & Lighting – Similarly, the furniture, from chairs to cabinets, intrigues in photos online but disappoints in-person with flimsy construction and questionable textile pairings. Lighting fares better with unique sculptural silhouettes. I‘d suggest removing lower-end imports and showcasing British-made only.
Pros: Unique light fixture inventory
Cons: Furniture disappoints
⭐⭐ 2/5
Tableware & Kitchenware – Closs and Hamblin just introduced tabletop categories during COVID as people entertained more at home. I‘ve found brilliant handmade ceramics and wood boards here. Glassware and other kitchen gear lands hit or miss though often simply overpriced. Shop selectively if venturing into dishes and serveware.
Pros: Handcrafted artisan finds
Cons: Cost vs. quality varies greatly
⭐⭐⭐ 3/5
Clearly Closs and Hamblin stretches themselves thin across some auxiliary product areas. In my opinion, they‘d do better to focus on core strengths and curate peripheral options very selectively.
I‘ll still pop over to smile at the quirky coffee mugs, but I wouldn‘t buy my everyday dinner plates here. Know what to expect before committing!
How Closs and Hamblin Compares: Pricing & Value Analysis
Given Closs and Hamblin‘s longevity and reputation, newcomers often ask me – is it worth the higher costs? Or can you find similar quality for less elsewhere?
To provide data-backed answers, I compared Closs and Hamblin‘s prices across four key categories to three major market competitors.
Here is the result of my retail pricing analysis:
| Product | Closs & Hamblin | Competitor A | Competitor B | Competitor C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 yard midweight cotton | £15 | £11 | £12 | £13 |
| 1 yard wool suiting | £45 | £38 | £42 | £40 |
| 1 roll ready-pasted wallpaper | £50 | £30 | £38 | £45 |
| 1 custom roman blind 60×72" | £210 | £190 | £200 | £240 |
Across the board, Closs and Hamblin does cost 10-15% more than the market average. Differences grow when comparing identical commodity products like cotton fabric by the yard.
However, for specialty items like custom window treatments and exclusive prints, Closs and Hamblin‘s expertise and quality materials justify higher pricing. Bespoke creations use higher grade cloth, notions and time-intensive techniques that warrant the bump in investment.
If buying basics like quilting cottons or pre-pasted papers where quality variation appears minimal, I‘d suggest trying Competitor A or B to save a bit.
But for statement silks to sew an heirloom christening gown? Or architecturally perfect romans to elevate your home? Closs and Hamblin wins for intricacy and enduring beauty.
Pros: Materials and construction match price for specialties
Cons: Markups on some commodity basics
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
Final Verdict: Recommended for Fabrics & Home Decor Lovers
I won‘t pretend Closs and Hamblin is the most affordable or diverse home goods option out there. You must shop strategically – know their strengths and stay conscious of prices.
But gosh, do I adore losing whole mornings wandering those fabric walls, poring over wallpaper sample books and designing beautiful custom windowscapes!
For textile lovers wanting to invest in keepsake quality fabrics to sew or upholster with, Closs and Hamblin is utterly unparalleled. Their exclusive patterns outshine mass retailers. And if you need no-compromise custom curtains or blinds, look no further for the best quality construction.
Beyond the undisputed brilliance of their fabrics and window treatments, stay selective when branching out. Not all peripheral categories shine quite as brightly. But oh my, when Closs and Hamblin gets something right, it‘s so so right!
I hope this review helped illuminate the highs and lows of this beloved British home goods institution. Drop by one of their shops next time you crave inspiration for your latest makeover. Just be sure to leave time for some sublime fabric stroking and daydreaming over luscious trims along the way!
