With a decade of interior decorating under her belt, Annabel Berry now has designs on a different future. 

Annabel made the shock announcement on Sunday (December 11), that Oamaru store Design Federation would be closed by Christmas, after celebrating 10 years in business this year.

The decision was one she had been thinking about seriously for two years, but she had wanted to see out 10 years with the business.

“This has been coming for a while . . . and the reason is just because I want to go home to my family,” the mother of three said. “I just want to give myself time to think about other things.”

The business began when Annabel, then with just one baby, worked on interior design jobs from her kitchen table at home. 

Five years later she opened her first retail store in lower Thames St before moving it across the road and slightly further north, a few years later. 

“If I think back to when I started . . . I had no idea about anything really, and I’ve learned so much. The interior design industry is so broad for a start, but then moving into retail, that was really such an eye-opener as well.

“I’ve learned so much from a sales and marketing perspective, from customer service, and interaction with people.” 

Annabel felt the business was going out “on a high”, having been a finalist this year in The Grand Business South Awards for Excellence in Retail.

“It was so nice to have those awards last month, just to know that where we got to was really great, and I’m really proud of all of the staff and people who have worked here along the way as well.”

The response to news of the closure had been “amazing”, she said.

Three hundred people went through the Thames St store on Tuesday, to show their support for the business, and also nab a bargain.

“Everyone has been so lovely. I think a lot of people don’t understand, like, it’s been a bit of a shock, but I’m really happy in the decision, and I know why I’m doing it, which is for myself and my family.”

There had “been tears”, but they were more tears of joy when she came to the realisation of what she needed to do.

“It’s time for me. I feel like it’s quite a brave decision.”

Don’t think this will be the last you see of the driven businesswoman, who can’t sit still for long, but is looking forward to a summer off. 

“I really feel like I’ve done what I wanted to do in this business, and I want a new challenge in my life, and I don’t know what that is, which is really exciting.

“All I want to do right now is go home . . . and just see what eventuates . . . it’s going to be interesting to see what actually happens, but I’m really excited about it.”