Imperial & Standard, Hackney Wick E9

Hackney Wick, the oracle (or erm...moi) predicts, is having a Bit of a Moment right now. This largely un-developed area of many old factory and warehouse buildings is one of London's most interesting art scenes and communities. And it has been for years...but is now in a new kind of limelight. As (you may have heard) this part of East London was chosen to be redeveloped and is now famously in the shadow the the looming Olympic Site...

So now is the time to explore this independent area, quick smart. It is a bit rough around the edges, yes, however if you're like me and enjoy gawping at architecture you'll love seeing the intact mixture of factory buildings like the old Peanut Factory with its old signs still showing. It is also full of loadsa other stuff to do - pop-up cinemas, art spaces, suitably lovely eateries and one of the best London festivals. 

However with the world's biggest show of the Olympics on the horizon it looks like this East London creative enclave may see a few changes around the corner. So this intrepid traveller hiked over on the good old Overground train to review one of Hackney Wick's best homeware stores Imperial & Standard interiors and prop hire. 

And I'm pleased to say it is one of the (many) parts of Hackney Wick that I hope sticks around after the athletes leave it be later this year. Here's why...

These wonderful oversized props...

Fantastic vintage. How useful could these be...

Everything from crucifixes to stuffed chickens...

Industrial lighting, always a winner with me...

First discovery of DNA...?

Beautifully gory...

It's nicely packed to the rafters so great for a proper rifle through...

Even the Open sign rules...

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I love the original travelling stickers still on these trunks...

When you take my advice and visit Hackney Wick, make sure that Imperial & Standard is top of your list. Lovely to browse and with some products that are definitely top of my WANT list. 

Axminster Chapel haul in use

Quiet cold January has given me time to enjoy my latest buys from Axminster Chapel (am not missing shopping for more treasures oh no...) 

I've been finding the perfect perches for all my beautiful vintage bottles...

And playing spot the kitten with the art deco mirror.

Axminster Old Chapel, Devon EX13

On my festive trip to the countryside I found the ideal antiques shop for a bank holiday rummage. The Axminster Old Chapel had all the charm and bargains to keep this shopper happy, even after the inevitable cash hemorrhage of Christmas.

Tucked away in the sweet Devon town of Axminster (the home of Hugh F-W and the River Cottage cafe - stop in for a cake!) this antiques shop gave us both plenty of antiques to admire and also had one or two deals that were too good to miss...

Products ranged from oodles of pretty ceramics...

To vintage radios for the more technically minded...

There were some great twentieth century pieces...



Including these elegant art deco mirrors (we picked up the right hand one for a bargainous £11!)

As you can tell by the name the showroom in located in a stunning old chapel with original elements like these windows still in place...

More fab crockery (not too sure if my love of leopard print could go quite as far as china though...)



Ace antique kitchenalia...

I'm such a sucker for that deckchair stripe, but the wire magazine rack could be pretty nifty too!

But our final find of the day turned out to be my favourite. A box of vintage bottles...for £5 you say? It would have be rude not to...

Of Cabbages & Kings, N16

Stumble of the week...goes to the Of Cabbages & Kings Market in Abney Public Hall on Stoke Newington's lovely Church Street. 

We were drawn in by the beautiful bunting and stayed for the eclectic designer/marker stalls. This market takes place on the 1st Saturday of every month, but there are fairs here regularly so it's worth keep an eye on this venue...

We browsed sweet practical products from Takae Mizutani and Sons...

Clever ceramic ideas and art from Yoyo Ceramics...

Inspiring prints from Karin Akesson...(yes I like to think Tomorrow Will Be Sunny - thank you)...

And finally even more ace prints including these letter press cycling theme posters from Dynamo Works and LondonEreas prints from the fabulous Vic Lee  (search for a local area or haunt if you've not seen before - they are truly fantastic).

Brixi, Brixton Village

Brixi is another diamond in Brixton Village. This eclectic little shop stocks what they call 'old and new oddities' but what I call spot-on loveliness. Vintage one-off home pieces, chic gifts, fabulous jewellery all in a beautifully dressed shop. Here are some of my fave bits: 

Rocking the stag and bikes trends...

 And aztec print...how cosy do these look?!

This blackboard is such a cool idea for a shop. The effect looks great plus you can save on price tags... 

The well chosen mixture of products available included these nice simple vintage milk bottles (one if my current obsessions)

And what a doll's house! It was showing jewellery in Brixi - a perfect use for someone far to old to justify buying it right?

Even the signage is cool at Brixi. Well worth an explore for one-off homeware, unique gifts and that doll's house you always dreamt of. Do I need to give you another reason to visit Brixton Village?! 

Circus, Brixton Village, SW9

This one has been on my list for a while...I *finally* made it to Circus in Brixton Village recently. After seeing the launch of this creative little interiors and vintage shop in Elle Decoration I was pretty much sold already. But then finding out it was in neck of the woods put it straight to the top of my (embarrassingly actually real) list. 

But what makes this shop even more special for me is its placement and involvement in Granville Arcade or Brixton Village as we like do call it down sarf London. This market arcade has been part of Brixton life since the 30s yet it fell into rack and ruin...but it then got happily transformed in 2009 and has now become one of the most happening, friendly places to shop and eat in my area. Hurrah. Which is where Circus comes in...

The first thing you notice about Circus is the cardboard. This creative homeware, acessories and arts shop has basically been built of the stuff. A great recycling message and an even better paired down look. 

The shop is small and perfectly formed with the designer/maker products carefully curated by the owners (one of which was the delightful and delightfully named Tabitha who very kindly gave me the low down on the shop on my visit). 

The fabulous selection at Circus ranges from original prints...

To vintage tableware...

And a mixture of old and new all the way throughout the store...

Fliff ceramics are on of the latest designer/maker additions...

Lovely to see local support alongside these hand-embroidered accessories...

You can the exposed cardboard on these shelves, holding up this collection of glassware, I love that perfect autumnal tone of these...

And check out that exposed lighting display...love...

More accessories beautifully displayed...

Circus is a great store, you can see the effort behind the project and the thought that goes into the product choice and shop design too. 

Brixton Village is an ace location to shop, eat and explore. Circus is the cherry on top. And you know what? I really like cherries.