Our Story

Both June and Bernadette were devoted home cooks and hosts, yet they found themselves frustrated by the uninspiring selection of kitchen and tableware available in London at the time. More than that, they longed for a shop with warmth, personality, and a sense of intimacy, a place that felt like home. So, they created one.

They wrote their business plan together on a notepad, seated at a local cafe, and dreamt up “a happy, inspirational place—where people will want to spend time.” And that’s exactly what it became. Customers didn’t just browse; they sat at the shop’s central table, chatting with June and Bernadette, sharing stories, and setting the world to rights.

Over the years, this table became a gathering place for the community, filled with handpicked treasures for the kitchen, each piece reflecting the signature S&B aesthetic: warm, slightly rustic, but effortlessly modern.

For June and Bernadette, the heart of a home was the table—the place where food, conversation, and love come together.

Their innate style remains the cornerstone of S&B’s ethos to this day.

A Legacy That Lives On

Despite the passing of both Bernadette and June their spirit remains woven into the fabric of everything S&B creates.

Taken over in 2014 by Seb Bishop, Bernadette’s son, determined to honour what his mother and June had built, he stepped into the role of CEO and Creative Director, ensuring their vision lived on.

Then, a small but powerful discovery brought fresh inspiration. Bernadette’s old cookery book was found at Seb’s grandmother’s house, its pages filled with handwritten notes. Inside, he spotted something simple yet profound—a delicate flower, drawn in Bernadette’s unmistakable hand.

This small gesture on Bernadette’s part unwittingly opened a world of inspiration and a new direction for S&B.

Her flower became a symbol of remembrance and a new chapter for S&B. To commemorate her passing, S&B trademarked the flower and designed a beautiful line of linens featuring her signature bloom, which launched in Sept 2015.

The collection resonated deeply, not just with those who knew her, but with anyone who cherishes the magic of gathering around a table.

Bernadette and June were happiest surrounded by loved ones at their tables, and in many ways, they are still there, present in every meal shared around an S&B table.

The Art of Laying the Table

Inspired by the original Bernadette linens and the unforgettable meals she and June created, S&B embraced a new focus, the tablecloth.

This is rooted in a belief that when you take the time to lay the table beautifully, you elevate the meal itself. It’s not just about food, it’s about creating moments, making memories, and telling the people around you what they mean to you. The table isn’t just a place where meals are shared—it’s where traditions are passed down, where love is expressed, and where life happens.

Today, this philosophy is at the heart of everything S&B does. In their London studio in Notting Hill, they design table linens that are sophisticated but fun, timeless, and utterly unique. Each new collection is an extension of their original vision—making the humble tablecloth something exciting again. Over the years S&B have collaborated in this vision with an incredible roster of like-minded artists, designers, and brands to create something truly special at the table.

The rule is simple: if they wouldn’t hang it on a wall as art, they won’t put it on the table as a tablecloth.

As they continue to seek out the finest fabrics, experiment with colour and design, and push their creativity further, one thing remains unchanged: every tablecloth they sell represents a family or group of friends coming together, sharing a meal, and making memories.

The table is the heart of the home. It’s where laughter is shared, milestones are celebrated, and everyday moments become cherished traditions.

Some measure success in numbers. S&B measure it in the number of people they bring together around a table.

They estimate that in the past five years alone, nearly half a million people have sat around a table adorned with a Summerill & Bishop tablecloth.

A figure that, hopefully, honours the legacy of June and Bernadette.

Because as studies show—and as we all know from experience—there is nothing quite as powerful as gathering around a table, sharing food, and simply being together.

That’s why the tablecloth isn’t just fabric.

It’s The Fabric of Life.