Posted on June 05, 2025
At Sharvell Property, we’re passionate about celebrating the people and brands that bring character and creativity to The Cotswolds. In our latest interview, we had the pleasure of speaking with Rachel Bisiker and Annabel Haywood, the inspiring duo behind The Curated Store. Known for their impeccable taste and eye for timeless design, Rachel and Annabel have created a space that champions independent artisans and beautifully crafted homeware. We spoke to them about the story behind The Curated Store, their design inspirations, and why supporting local talent matters now more than ever.
How long have you lived in The Cotswolds, and what initially drew you to this area?
Annabel: 18 years. I was born in Worcestershire where my parents still live. My husband and I knew we wanted to bring up our children in the countryside and when we were looking to move out of London (where we’d been since post uni) we knew that we didn’t want to commute for work so we would both have to change our careers so we could live anywhere. I had always dreamed of living in a honey coloured house in The Cotswolds so the dream became a reality.
Rachel: I’ve lived in The Cotswolds for several years now. It offers everything I love about the country, living natural beauty, space to breathe, and some amazing places to eat and drink. It's also conveniently placed between Bristol and London, where I grew up and then spent two decades. It really does offer the best of both worlds: peaceful yet connected.
What inspired you to establish The Curated Store in The Cotswolds, and how does the region influence your brand?
Annabel: It was a Covid thingy. I had been organising vintage and Christmas shopping fairs for 8 years and obviously had to cancel. This gave me time to think about what I really wanted to do going forward. I loved curating events but not the unpredictable parts: weather, broken loos, running out of food! Around the same time, the landlord of Talbot Court was creating a space for independent retailers. I met his team to discuss my ideas and then on my drive home I had that ding moment. Could I create a permanent pop-up shop for different small businesses?
Rachel: The Curated Store began as a way to bring design-led, independent brands, many of them online-only, into a shared physical space. The Cotswolds is home and with its strong creative energy, appreciation for craftsmanship, discerning customers and supportive local audience its an obvious spot. The landscape and lifestyle here influence our aesthetic - thoughtful, timeless, and rooted in quality.
What do you cherish most about the Cotswolds community and lifestyle?
Annabel: There is so much to cherish. The beauty, the friendly community we have found in Stow, the restaurants and cafés. I’d be a stone lighter if there weren’t so many fabulous places. The independent shops where owners truly love what they do and it really comes through.
Rachel: As someone who’s visually led and mood-driven, the beauty of this place truly stops me in my tracks, in every season. I also love the spirit of independence here: the pubs, cafes, shops. There's so much character.
How do you select the artisans and products featured in your store?
Annabel: We are now entering our fifth year in business and finding our fabulous small brands has changed over the years. Now we receive a lot of approaches from all over the UK and abroad. We still source lots from makers markets, fairs and from Instagram. What is important to us is to find brands which are original in their designs, have a big story they want to tell and we just love them.
Rachel: We are lucky enough to be approached a lot by brands and makers keen to join us. I’m especially drawn to founders who have a distinct point of view. Quality, authenticity, and a bit of magic are essential.
What does a typical day look like for you at The Curated Store?
Annabel: I usually do the school run so I’ll get to the shop around 8:15/30, grab a coffee and croissant from Otis & Belle, open my laptop and quickly check emails. I then hoover if it needs it, check everyone’s stock and make sure everything is looking beautiful. Music on and the payment system, lights on and open the doors. I always love the first customer of the day, usually in a panic as they need something urgently.
Rachel: No two days are the same and that’s what I love. Mornings might involve merchandising and catching up with our lovely regulars. Afternoons could be spent making content for socials, coordinating the next curation, or chatting with a new designer. There's always something creative happening. That energy really drives me.
What aspects of running The Curated Store do you find most rewarding?
Annabel: I love meeting all the entrepreneurs and finding out about what I call “previous lives”. Everyone has done something before, whether corporate lawyers, magazine editors, designers for big brands. Everyone is always so interesting. I love to know where their inspiration has come from for their brands. I also love the feedback we get from the brands i.e. my socials are on fire, my online sales have gone up, I already have repeat customers, this makes me so happy. The reaction from our customers when they come in the shop: "Wow, beautiful, I want to buy it all. Please open a store near us!"
Rachel: The people. I’m constantly inspired by the women we work with and love seeing customers discover something they weren’t expecting to find and hearing their positive comments. Watching the store grow from an idea into a vibrant, evolving space has been incredibly fulfilling. The flexible format allows us to keep things fresh, spotlight a range of talented founders and adapt the space constantly. Seeing that idea take root and flourish has been an amazing journey.
What are your favourite local spots in The Cotswolds for dining, shopping, or relaxation?
Annabel: When it comes to dining out, I love The Old Butchers in Stow, Pen Yen for Japanese at Soho Farmhouse, The Howard Arms in Ilmington, to be honest there are so many. We are incredibly lucky in The Cotswolds to have such a wide variety of eateries. I really do a lot of my shopping in the store, we curate it so there is something for everyone whether it’s a gift or a new dress for self gifting.
Rachel: I’m lucky to have some real gems on my own doorstep: The Double Red Duke, The Masons Arms and Blakes are firm favourites and located in my village. Burford Garden Company is a constant source of inspiration. It was actually one of the first places I visited when I moved here, somewhere that made me feel instantly at home, full of beautiful, unique finds, a great café and all so thoughtfully curated. I shop at the Curated store, of course! Relaxation for me is dog walking by the river and gardening.
Can you recommend any hidden gems or must-visit places in The Cotswolds that visitors might not know about?
Rachel: There are so many! A walk in the Windrush Valley is breathtaking. I also adore The Sherborne Shop, it’s the sweetest village café and store and a nostalgic spot for me from early years school runs. And Filkins swimming pool is the ultimate summer secret, it feels like a retro holiday park tucked away in the countryside. You do need to be a local member, but it’s a total gem.
Are there any upcoming collaborations or events that you're particularly excited about?
Annabel: We will be celebrating our 4th birthday on Friday 6th June with champagne and cakes.
Rachel: We are working with an artist to decorate our window for June which is exciting and we’re about to celebrate our fourth birthday which feels like a real milestone. It’s a moment to reflect, thank the community that’s supported us and mark how far we’ve come.