Shop
Labour and Wait is all about functional products and classic design. Rebelling against the idea of re-designing ranges each season, owners Rachel and Simon source homeware, clothes and accessories that are timeless, like enamel cookware, brass pens and Breton striped shirts, so you can enjoy them forever.
Set over two floors, the Upper Street store is packed full of design-led lighting, accessories and furniture. There’s a mix of classic styles from the twentieth century and more progressive pieces but everything in there is clean and elegant so it feels timeless.
Clean, modern, English design is at the heart of Kent and London. They started out making furniture and have since grown into building bespoke kitchens and stocking a tight edit of well-crafted homewares, including pieces from Nuuna and Terres de Reves.
Kensal Rise’s Verandah is a real treasure trove, stocking everything from children’s toys to candles to African laundry baskets. They pride themselves on stocking beautiful and unusual items, so if you’re in need of a present, this is the place.
Menswear store Number Six brings together small brands and more mainstream labels to create something unique. Expect Carhartt WIP, Libertine-Libertine, Our Legacy and Sandqvist to line the shelves here.
Any film buffs amongst you may have already guessed the significance of this innocuous-looking bookshop. Yep, you guessed it. It’s THAT travel bookshop from the film Notting Hill. Having expanded its range since the iconic British film came out, it now sells books on a variety of different topics. It also has a blue plaque on the outside to commemorate the film that made it famous. It’s worth the trip for that alone!
If you don’t mind splashing a little colour (and a little money) on the walls of your home, head to the Farrow & Ball showroom. The showroom proudly boasts the entire paint and wallpaper collection, so you’ll be spoilt for choice. Don’t get carried away now!
Even at the best of times, charity shop shopping can be grim. So for a charity shop experience that doesn’t feel like rifling through dead people’s clothes, whilst still giving back to charity, head to the Oxfam Boutique in Westbourne Grove. It specialises in both men and women’s designer clothes, as well as accessories and some homeware.
Flower power all the way at this wonderful flower shop is full scents, colours and creativity. Scarlet & Violet is run by a fun bunch, who buy their flowers fresh from the market everyday, so you can be well-assured of the quality and diversity of their selection, perfect for a unique bunch, whatever your budget.
Optometry seems to be in the blood for orthopedist and dispensing optician Wojtek Wieczorek and his family. After travelling over from Poland and carrying on the family career path from his mother and father (an optician and bespoke frame maker) Wieczorek set up shop in Kensal Rise, selling a selection of classic, contemporary and specialist eyewear frames.
Formerly the Kensal Rise branch of Borough Wines, Rise & Vine was born after Guy Butters and Shaun Robert Smith (who met working at Borough Wines) decided to go out on their own and take it over. The shop stocks wine, beer and spirits from a range of independent producers and small dealers, and everything has been tasted by the team so you know you’re only gonna get the good stuff.
Sourcing the best in high quality, organic and free range produce, the award-winning Brooks Butchers will use their vast knowledge and experience to help you choose the best meat, game and fish for your needs.
If you’re after some new threads, you’ll wanna head to Supra. Stocking all the cool kids, you can get your mitts on Champion, Carhartt WIP, Norse Projects, Rains, Adidas, YMC and Margaret Howell across men and women’s clothing, shoes and accessories.
Tesco Express this is not. Harringay Local Store is a proper good shop that sells a selection of locally sourced, organic and fair trade products. Bread, beer, meat, veg, vegan food… you name it, they’ve got it. Oh, and they also have a old and vintage vinyl records corner. Because why not.
Ever wanted to know what the inside of a secret treasure trove looked like? Visit the antiques market on Northcote Road and you can find out. The Tardis-like indoor market, which is set out over a couple of levels, is home to a wealth of vintage goods, from antiques to retro design pieces to jewellery and much, much more. Be prepared to rummage and be prepared to haggle – but take it from us, it’s worth it.
Foodies be warned: this market might just be the undoing of you and your bank balance. Venn Street Market is giving independent producers and farmers the opportunity to come face-to-face with consumers every Saturday. From fruit and veg to bread, fish, eggs and street food, this food-lover’s paradise is a great place to pick up fresh produce and hear about its provenance from the people in the know.
If you’re in need of some new furniture, swing by the Loaf Shack. Located just off Ladbroke grove in a beaut 1930s art deco building, the shack is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of Notting Hill. As well of plenty of pieces to browse and buy, there’s a cinema in the basement and a super-soft Mattress Testing Area for you to bounce around in.
In what once used to be an old pie and mash shop you’ll find Darling & Gold, a vintage boutique. Bought to life by Holly and her husband, who share a love of all things interior, the shop takes inspiration from mid-century Scandinavian style and is overflowing with antiques and reclaimed homeware. Selling anything and everything from a 1950s pommel horse turned into a bench to organic locally produced body scrub to leather handbags and even some undies, it’s a proper little treasure trove.