Guthrie Bowron Warkworth

Guthrie Bowron Warkworth is getting more than just a fresh coat of paint.

Customers can expect new signage, clearer layout, a wider product range and stronger focus on design support as the store evolves under new owners Richard Park and Carren Richardson, who took over on October 1.

Both of their backgrounds are helping shape the refresh.

Richardson spent years in advertising and said the store is “this perfect meld of everything I am”, while Park brings his corporate skillset to the business.

Richardson says they were fortunate the existing staff stayed on as their expertise is invaluable.

The husband-and-wife team says Guthrie Bowron is now open and they want people to know they don’t need to shop for paint or curtains anywhere else.

“Locals are often unaware of how broad the store’s products and services already are,” Park says.

“We do a full spectrum: all kinds of window treatments, wallpaper and paint, curtains and flooring.

“We have strong ties with the paint trade and are keen to keep growing those, while also better supporting the construction sector – along with offering marine and automotive paint ranges.”

The pair are planning to expand into tiles and boost the homewares offering, while also developing design workshops that cover things like upcycling and colour psychology.

“We’re more than a paint and curtain store,” Richardson says. “We want to help people work out their own style and have homes they love.”

Commuting from Auckland but house hunting locally, the pair loves the sense of community Warkworth provides.

And when Park and Richardson do move, they’ll have everything they need to decorate their new home – a one-stop shop.