Blog Archives
Vintage Signs & Shop Letters
Have just found this great blog on WordPress which is dedicated to old shop signs & letters.
Here are a few pics to wet your appetite, the blog link is listed at the end.
To read this blog and see more amazing signs click the link below.
O.Live – Capetown
Walk into o.live and it feels like a magpie has collected all the bits and pieces – all the lovely sparkly and curious things – that have taken its fancy. In fact you might even see a magpie (albeit a very still one), as owner Rupert Smith came back from his recent trip to Europe smitten with taxidermy. The trip so excited him that he had to redesign the shop, which now resembles a Parisian interior. A window dresser, Rupert lives out his creativity in the shop, where he isn’t beholden to a client brief. Once inside the shop it’s hard to leave without something, whether a ball of twine and some scissors, a wooden coat hanger, a circular mirror or a star-shaped candle holder. It all depends on what Rupert has put there for you to discover.
Words: Gill Cullinan Photographs: Henrique Wilding
O.live chemistry of living
Shop no 2 Buitenkloof Studios, 8 Kloof St, Gardens, Cape Town; 021 426 5773
Hostem Redchurch St London
There is an immediate sense of something more informed, of something executed with a little more élan, as you step through the doors of Hostem,
a new men’s establishment in the heart of London’s East End. This enclave on Shoreditch’s Redchurch Street, is quietly assured and unique to the last.
Low on high theatrics and high on the almost antique ideal that service should be attentive and intelligent,
it is devoid of shock-and-awe pop-ups and ‘concepts’ and is instead focused on catering to a considered,
fashion-literate gentleman who demands a sense of depth and variety in his retail experience.
Executed with flair and wit by interior design duo JAMESPLUMB, Hostem showcases their mastery of restored materials,
from the church pew that doubles as a front desk to the floorboards and hand-painted hessian walls.
Three individual rooms, devoted to luxe streetwear, avant garde design and an ever evolving space for visiting designers will,
respectively, showcase a world of talent from this menswear hub.
Click here to visit their website
La Petit Bonheur La Chance
Whilst flicking through one of my favourite home magazines I saw an article on celebrities favourite stores around the world.Priscilla Carluccio recommended Au Petit Bonheur La Chance which is an amazing little kitchen store crammed full of vintage treasures. And as Priscilla says “its definitely not designed, but is evocative of how stores used to be”. Having goggled it and found lots of fab photos I have to agree. The translation of the name simply means happy accident or serendipity.
This will definitely be on my must see list for my next Paris trip.
Heres a selection of photos and a map of where to find the store.
Click the map to be taken to Google Maps
Recycled Home by Mark and Sally Bailey
I love this book by Mark and Sally Bailey the founders of the amazing Bailey’s house and garden store
“The book begins with the elements of the bailey’s style; including tones and textures, furniture and storage, walls and floors, lighting, display and textiles. A section on rooms covers the kitchen, living areas, bathrooms, bedrooms, children’s rooms and home office, showing how well the recycled look can work throughout the home.”
Loft Design By
Patrick Freche the designer has chosen to embrace the natural structure of the store. He has created a modern clean store with a vintage twist, cleverly mixing the old and the new to create an open store that feels warm and cosy yet light and bright.
The store sells a range of Women’s and Men’s clothing and accessories with a hint of home thrown into the mix.
Utility Brighton
“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful”.
This is the moto from the owners of a fab store I found recently on a trip to Brighton.
If your a font freak like me you will love this store, all the products they sell are useful and many are adorned with fabulous fonts. The store itself is a through back to yesteryear, the grey and black harlequin floor tiles remind me of my nan’s kitchen. They have cleverly used old furniture as fixtures and the clever use of colours, brown, green and cream help to promote the old fashioned feel.
This store is to be treasured seek it out and enjoy it.
Phillx
“ALWAYS SOMETHING BREWING”
28a North Road, Brighton, BN1 1YB Tel: 01273 626 222.
info@utilitygreatbritain.co.uk
Open Monday to Saturday 10-6 and Sunday 12-5.
