Explore Ap Interiors History & Story: Kitchen, Bathroom & Bedroom Design in Devon

Our Story – From Restoration Specialists to Complete Home Interiors

Alexander Paul Restorations was established in 2000 by founders Matthew Paul Yates and David Alexander Steele — the inspiration behind the original company name, Alexander Paul.

What began as a specialist antique furniture restoration business quickly earned a reputation for craftsmanship, attention to detail, and quality workmanship across East Devon and beyond. Matthew worked as the cabinet maker while David specialised as a French polisher, and together they restored treasured furniture pieces for local antique shops throughout the Honiton area as well as private clients.

As demand grew, so did the business. Alexander Paul expanded to a team of seven full-time craftsmen dedicated to restoring furniture to its former glory, supported behind the scenes by Matthew’s wife, Dawn, who managed the company’s accounts and administration.

With continued growth came the need for larger premises, leading the business to relocate to Fenny Bridges. During this period, Alexander Paul evolved beyond restoration and began sourcing and selling antique furniture. It soon became clear that French farmhouse tables were particularly popular, and the company developed a specialist reputation for sourcing, restoring, and supplying authentic French farmhouse tables to customers across the UK and internationally through an online platform designed and managed by Matthew.

Building on this success, the business launched Slate Top Tables — a bespoke collection inspired by traditional antique designs and handcrafted in-house using solid slate tops.

As market trends changed and the antiques industry declined, the business adapted once again. Kitchens were introduced alongside the antiques offering, creating a new direction for the company. Customer demand soon made it clear that interiors and home renovation represented the future, and showroom space was gradually transformed to support this growing side of the business.

Following David’s retirement, Matthew continued driving the company forward, expanding into fitted interiors and introducing dedicated bedroom displays. Senior Designer Sarah Hale joined the team, followed by Ruth Martin, helping strengthen the design expertise and customer experience.

The next stage of growth came with the arrival of Joanna Whitworth, whose specialist knowledge in bathroom design led to the opening of the new Bathroom Showroom in 2026 — an exciting addition that continues to grow and complement the company’s evolving services.

Today, the business has rebranded as AP Interiors — offering a complete home renovation solution across kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms. While the business has evolved over the years, the values that built Alexander Paul remain unchanged: exceptional craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and creating beautiful spaces for every customer.