Spring Greens

Mix and match fresh shades of green for a contemporary feel this Spring.

1 & 2. Get minimodern-ised! These Ceramic Water Tumblers and cool Ceramic Carafe (which surprisingly holds 1 ltr) are by Mini Moderns - perfect for ice cold soft drinks. 3. Caspian Origami Lamp Shade is functional and full of style. 4. Quintessential British Retro Telephone and '60s style icon 5. Geometric Green Glass Tea Light Holder 6.  Green by design and nature - these gorgeous soya candles are poured by hand into repurposed wine bottles which have been polished by flame to give a perfect finish 7.  A cool green set of 4 glasses from the Modern Home collection by Magpie. A stylish addition to any home, these are a must-have for discerning mid-century design lovers. Shop the look here

I really love this colour story for this season!  Green stands for balance, nature, and rebirth. It’s the symbol of prosperity, freshness, and progress! Get spring cleaned and Spring greened! 

50 Best Boutiques in London

Yay!  Chuffed to bits this week - not only 2 nominations in 'The Greats' Awards but also we made it into the top 50 Boutiques in London.  

"From North London’s cult design stores to treasure troves south of the river, ES Magazine have nominated the capital’s hottest indie stores!" 

"Not just one for cartography enthusiasts, it’s the ideal destination for last-minute presents. An Archway institution, owners Ian Morris and Kathryn Phalp are pillars of the community."

...and we weren't the only ones in our locale - we're in good company!  Congratulations to our near neighbours Future and Found , Vivien of Holloway Road,  S K Vintage  too and a welcome to new girl on the block Jessica de Lotz who also featured!
Click on the pictures to link to their sites!

"With a vision for what’s to come and a love of what’s been before, Future & Found brings you a carefully curated collection of beautiful things for your home."

 Vivien of Holloway - "producing gorgeous vintage-style clothing to make the world a more fabulous and glamorous place, day by day".

Sarah Khan's passion for fashion and textile design instinctively led to her to start S K Vintage - her vintage and designer clothing business.

Emotive, evocative and intriguing, Jessica invites you to enter her world of collectibles, cherished possessions and achingly touching personal stories - the wonderful new Jewellery shop  Jessica De Lotz is at 49 Fortess Road!

Even Greater News!

The Greats 2016
It's time once again for 'The Greats' and we are really proud to announce that this year we have been nominated for not only one but two 'Greats' awards!  We have been nominated in both the Best Independent Gift Retailer of the Year, London (inside M25) and the Best Retail Display of Gifts, award categories - which are sponsored by Gisela Graham Ltd, Really Good and Soul, (our hosts from last year!)

"These dedicated awards for gift retailers have risen immeasurably in status over the years and are now universally acknowledged as being true accolades of excellence," commented Sue Marks, editor of Progressive Gifts & Home. "Being selected as a finalist is a fantastic achievement. There was a huge entry this year, with some outstanding, first class entries."

The winners of this year’s prestigious gift retailing awards  - The Greats 2016 – will be revealed at an Awards lunch at the glamorous Ballroom at the Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotel, Park Lane, London on Thursday 5th May 2016  - will it be our day?

Easter - sugar free gifts

What is not to love about Easter?  The first big holiday since Christmas!  It's beginning to feel properly like spring, with flowers popping up everywhere, longer, warmer days - and you get chocolate!  Ah but we're so often asked for gifts for kids which aren't just about sugar so here's an Easter edit of our sugar free goodies!

New from our friends at Quail are the cutest Dutch Bunny Egg Cups, Money boxes and Salt and Pepper Shakers (also available in Guinea Pig) all hand-painted stoneware.

Bashful Bunnies from Jellycat - good enough to cuddle at anytime of year!

Hipster Egg Cups - brilliantly packaged in pairs, Samuel & Bernard, Hubert and George

The Secret Artist NW5 strikes again!

The Secret Artist strikes again!  We are thrilled to have been painted by NW5's mysterious Secret Artist.

"It is like an artistic version of the classic children’s street game, Knock Down Ginger – a painter quietly stands outside a building, creates a piece and then silently sneaks up the front steps and pushes it through the door.".......I really love this analogy from Dan Carrier's article in the Camden review  

Known only as Secret Artist NW5, she began secretly painting listed buildings on her ipad, initially as a hobby - but her reputation grew and with it a business has flourished.  The Secret Artist has produced a range of cards and mugs which sell through her website & The Owl Bookshop in Kentish Town.  She also accepts commissions via her website, the result of her clandestine creativity is then dropped off at Two Doors Down in Kentish Town for her clients to collect -  A little like a spy's dead drop with the bonus that the client gets a free coffee!

She mainly paints buildings and shops in Kentish Town but occasionally she ventures from her patch and has painted a few of our N19 neighbours too!

The enigmatic artist works anonymously because "I want the focus to be on the subjects of my work, not myself. These buildings have been here for many years and will remain long after I'm gone."