Behind The Scenes Of West Country Shutters…

Duncan and Gules Cleere are a match made in heaven, not just because they are a husband and wife but because they are also the driving force behind the West Country Shutters team.

Prior to the launch of West Country Shutters this dynamic couple ran Cleere Interior Design, offering expert advice and guidance in helping clients throughout the West Country, establish the perfect surroundings for their home or business. 

Duncans’ early path began in 1987 at the prestigious Study Centre for the History Of Fine and Decorative Arts (known as the V&A course) in London.

Filled with passion and enthusiasm he began his working career at Knightsbridge Restoration & Decoration Company, specialising in the art of decorative paint finishes.

Gules’ early path was slightly different…working as a super nanny in Hertfordshire! 

In 1999 Gules and Duncan met and one year later, they joined forces to form Cleere Interior Design.

Although having had no formal training Gules’ natural flair for what it takes to create a lovely home added a new dimension to the business. With her eye for detail, her exceptional customer service and natural warm personality made customers feel more like friends than clients. Still the case today!

For their Interiors work they brought together a great team of expert and experienced tradesmen with the same ethos as themselves and undertook projects incorporating all aspects of interior work. This included window dressings & soft furnishings, specialist paint finishes and decoration work through to Kitchen & Bathroom design, joinery and bespoke furniture, flooring, tiling, lighting solutions and full project management. During this period and adding another ‘string to his bow’, Duncan also guest lectured on Interior Design at Plymouth University 

Their passion for Shutters came in 2004 when they designed and built their own home. They were very much drawn to using shutters and this, their very first foray into the fastest growing trend in the window dressing world, was the inspiration and spring board to the future. 

From that point onwards, their beautiful hardwood shutters became the mainstay window dressing for all their interior clients and in 2008 they hit the ground running and established West Country Shutters, focussing all their attention solely on this aspect of business. 

After ten years of experience, a life time of knowledge and passion in design and all things interiors, a warmth, friendliness and true care for others, this wonderful team have built a business that they love. They are committed to ensuring that from that first phone call or email contact, through to installation and beyond,  their clients’ are respected and treated as they would wish to be themselves.

Here’s to the next ten years and beyond….