KEMPTON, TW16

All my car boot dreams came true this week as I *finally* made a long-awaited visit to Sunbury Antiques Market at Kempton Racecourse.

You know when you've gone out of your way to visit a market...and it ends up being the one that had everything you were looking for but it was all far too expensive? Or that one you got up early to go to and then found it was all mouth and no trousers.

Kempton is neither of those. Kempton let's you forget all that. Kempton is cheap. Kempton has endless stalls. Kempton has everything you were looking for, but still keeps you guessing. Three words: Dream. Car. Boot (well it is officially an antiques market but check out that all those boots!)
So much to tell! Here goes...firstly you must note that the market is only held every 2 weeks, annoyingly for us 9-5ers, on Tuesdays. Which is why I took one for the team (no need to thank me) and booked a sunny day off work especially. I really did - don't laugh.
Luckily for me everything I'd heard about Kempton made it well worth it. No egg on my face for me then. However getting my charming young man out of the house before 7am was not quite as easy.

As the market actually opens at 6.30am. Entry is delightfully free and parking is free too. It's worth taking wheels if you can (who knows what you'll end up with!) but there is train access too, so don't despair.
There are over 700 stalls with everything available that you could imagine (well pretty much). As you'd expect most of the stalls are selling older pieces, with everything from antique furniture to mid-century delights, while accessories span from collectables to knick-knacks, there is even a smattering of vintage fashion and jewellery to keep you hooked if you've had enough of homeware...as if...

I don't think I could ever get bored of old printing press lettering..
And I might even take up snooker to have an excuse to get this snooker-scorer-thingy...
Now I've been on the hunt for bottles of late and these are some of the nicest I've seen...
Lovely old advertising mirror (for fags but let's ignore that shall we?)...
The main part of the market was outside, but I'd imagine the indoor section gets pretty busy in the winter months. On my visit it housed stalls for china, kitchenware, clothes etc and these fellas that caught my eye...
I had a brief moment of pure joy when I found the most perfect vintage sunglasses I had ever seen, for a snip at a tenner. However I found out the perils of having a pinhead when they turned out to be too big for me and practically fell off my face. Dammit.
One of the main reasons (read: excuses) for our jaunt to Kempton was the ambition to buy a new (read: old) sofa. We found one real contender, again for a steal at £350, but we had to leave it be...for a perfectly legitimate reason and nothing to do with the disembodied leg on it, oh no...
The stalls were mainly British but there was also a nice selection of stallholders from farther afield. Including some ever-fabulous French furniture...
A few old classics sprung up like this Alessi kettle, we only let this one go as we are slaves to our beloved whistle kettle...
I loved these! A very apt spelling for an antiques market...
More classics...
There were some really lovely crafty stalls too with ribbons and thread aplenty...

Green fingered market lovers would be happy too. This innovative stallholder was recycling industrial style products for the garden. My fella picked up a few of the long steel plant holders that had started life as part of a now closed-down farm - they are now growing poppies on our central London roof terrace.
These beautifully made tables were newly made, but from reclaimed wood too...
Cloches or models of Jesus? This way please...
Lovely, cheap vintage books, magazines and pictures...
This sweet rocking chair was quite clearly made for a child. I still seriously considered buying it for my bedroom. Everyone needs somewhere to throw random clothes, right?
Even more lovelies...ah it was fun...
Despite my giddiness about Kempton I was impressed with my restraint at the market. I only really picked one thing up for myself. This very cute, if a little battered vintage storage box. My fella was reluctant to buy...until I explained that I could hide all my crafty crap away in it. Now it is my very own to do up nicely and then fill with...well crap.

Kempton is a real winner. I advise that you go (hint: next market is on Tues 9th Aug), love it and then go again. I most certainly will.

Chiswick Car Boot, W4

The first rule of car booting - always get there early (but you can talk about them as much as you want!) You'd think a self-confessed bargain addict like me would have learnt this by now...and there was no good reason for me to arrive at the Chiswick Car Boot at 12.30pm today. But that I did and these boots were ready to close at 1pm. Oh dear.

A schoolgirl error I know. The benefit of the late start is that the prices start dropping (I'd recommend trying to bargain down anything heavy looking as tired stall holders will be keen to avoid carrying weighty unsold items if they don't have to). But the downfall is, of course, that the really good deals will probably have already walked out the door already, plus stall holders will be packing up. It's the perfect time for panic buying!

However I was lucky today as Chiswick was a great car boot that is immense so even in the last half hour there was still lots to explore and admire.

It was the prefect mix for Sunday browsing with *real* car boots, manned by real people. Always a winner with me.

The products available ranged from proper antiques at bargain prices...

To cool 20th Century treasures (this jug is the-one-that-got-away today, the reason? Too heavy for pathetic arms to carry around all day...I know...)

My fella would have been cross to see me let this dartboard get away *rolls eyes*...

These beautifully decorative piano scores were great for a rummage through for the musical or even design fans!

Or you could even go whole hog with this nafty squeeze box!

Beautiful plants are always good to look out for at one of these sales...

And...erm chickens...

With more time I would have had a proper look at this crockery. I love its art deso-esque metallic design...

I made one little purchase - a sweet little retro clock. A steal at a fiver and a perfect addition for my kitchen wall.

So all in all this is a great car boot...that impressed me not just with its size but also the variety of stalls. The next sale will be the first Sunday of August. I will be there bright and early, having learnt my lesson and won't forget the first rule of car booting again.

Liberty Dining Room, W1

This week I *finally* had the chance to visit the brand new Dining Room section in, London's finest, Liberty.
This new section is dedicated to all things for the kitchen and dining table (from crockery to cafetieres) featuring the high quality classic designs that one expects from this store. It also offers a refreshing collection of new designers and affordable pieces...which pleased me greatly.
It is based where the bridal section used to be (why do I know this?! Why?) and is nicely laid out in distinct areas for your Baking Days...with Tala products taking centre stage...
And Coffee mornings, I wish I drank enough coffee to warrant buying these beauties...
As well as beautiful displays for some of their top sellers like the lovely Emma Bridgewater.

I loved the elegant bird range designed by Edwin Collins...
As well as this army of kitchen critters...
I thought the tea towel collection showed a really nice range of designers. Plus I'm totally thinking about stealing the ladder idea - tea towels this cool should be appreciated and not just used for wiping!
The fab layout made this a well worthwhile section. Great for gift shopping (it's already top of my list for Christmas) and could not be missed for a proper kitchen overhaul!

Tom Dixon Sample Sale, W10

I love a good sample sale. Give me clothes, shoes, jewellery and I'm bound to pop by (some 'experimental' outfits are fairly sure to be purchased). But when I hear about a homewares sample sales then I get really excited. And there are a few interiors shops that get my heart racing even faster...

So when I heard about the Tom Dixon Family & Friends sample sale (don't worry we're all friends here) it didn't take me long to put on my serious shopping shoes and make a mad dash to Ladbroke Grove.

I wasn't disappointed. After quite an amusing route to the sale - including this rather lovely view along the canal...

I found the sale itself that allowed a proper rummage through the last season's products at a reduction of up to 70%. Which made these classic-cool designs from one of the smartest British designers totally affordable. The products available were mainly beautifully turned wooden furniture...

Signature metallic lighting (if you look carefully you might be able to spot Ms. Fay in reflection here)...

And lots of fluro orange. I like.

These latticed gold Etch Shades were the star of the show with differing prices (depending of whether seconds or shown in the shop I think...) making them really well-priced.

Unfortunately I don't think my little terrace could take one very well. So I went for this mini version (for a tealight!) a designer bargain for £10.50.

If you can make it down, the sale ends this Sunday 3rd July. There be bargains there...go if you can.