Catherine Tough, Angel Linens and Heyland & Whittle at Ph Factor

 

I went to Ph Factor on Regent's Park Road in Primrose Hill, a sweet little independent shop that is well stocked with a range of luxury toiletries, bathroom products, nightwear, gifts and vintage furniture - the stock changes frequently and it's a great place to look for presents (Valentine's Day, anyone?!). Ph Factor's got a good range of British designer-makers:

Catherine Tough - last blogged about here - makes knitted hot water bottle covers, scarves, and heart-shaped lavender bags in her studio in North London. Her pieces are available in an array of edible colours.

Heyland & Whittle - last blogged about here -is based in Surrey. They handmake a range of soaps using the traditional cold-pressed method using essnential oils, herbs and spices to make sulphate and paraben free products.

Angel Vintage Home Accessories are handmade in Britian using vintage linen and antique buttons.

Mrs Osborn's favourite shops: The Shop Floor, Ulverston

I love The Shop Floor Project, the on-line shop that has a fantastic selection of products by talented designer-makers, so I was very happy to find their bricks and mortar shop in the market town of Ulverston, Cumbria. I met Denise and Samantha, the mother and daughter team, behind The Shop Floor Project and it's sister-site The Secret Arcade, and found some lovely things by British designer-makers. Denise and Samantha both have a training in Fine Art - it explains their excellent taste.

The Shop Floor, 60 Market Street, Ulverston

These are a few of my favourite things:

softest cashmere throws by Holly Berry

(the pattern uses the Morse Code symbols to spell out Love)

leather bags made by GDH Leatherwork in Wales, in collaboration with The Shop Floor Project

(Not available on their website - contact them directly on 01229 584 537)

Throws made in Wales, especially like the red and tomato orange combo (hmm didn't write down the name of the designer-maker - contact the shop directly about these)

Emily Mackey Maxemilia cushion

(and clutch bag by Urban Knit - using bold Nigerian fabrics - not sure these are made in the UK)

Mrs Osborn's favourite shops - Mimi on Cheshire Street

Mimi on Cheshire Street is where my obsession for British-made things really took hold.  I love love love those old fashioned frame-style purses that close with a pleasing snap, so imagine my delight (c.2004) when I discovered her collection of said purses, in a rainbow of colours.  I wanted one of every colour; I settled for a green one, and a silver one (with a hot pink lining).

From there it was but a skip and a hop to purchasing bags (yes, that is plural) designed by Mimi.  I favour bags with long straps and a zip along the top - so my hands are free for swatting pesky children, and my possessions stay safe as I hurtle around town - and Mimi has designed plenty of those over the years that have somehow found their way home with me.  A particular favourite, not unlike the Delilah (see below) was made especially for me in fabulous orange leather.

I popped along to Cheshire Street earlier this week to take a look at Mimi's Spring Summer collection.

Delilah in tan.

Let me tell you all about it:

soft, slightly grainy leather,

one long strap cross-body strap, 

and one shorter strap to wear bag on the shoulder

zip top, inner pocket with zip.

Perfect.

Gracie purse with long strap - brilliant! - on mannequin.

Little Peggy satchel in hard leather hanging on wall to the left, 

and red and green ones on table (just seen)

Hero  messenger bag hanging on wall

Louis laptop case and Oscar travel wallet (on top of cabinet)

Gloria clutch bag - especially like the sparkly leather in sorbet colours- which I have seen up close, and it is delicious (top left in cabinet),

 and Lucy purses (bottom shelf in cabinet)

Big Teddy shopper bag - 

did you know the school book bags fit neatly inside? 

(hanging on wall and on desk)

Mrs Osborn's favourite shops - Harrington & Squires

I'd really like to have a business card - but I think I need to be more of a ducker / diver / wheeler / dealer and a bit less of a maid-of-all-work before I splash out. Besides, I need some time to work out what info should go on my business card.

Once I've decided, I know where to go: Harrington & Squires, letterpress printers and designers.

Harrington & Spires are tucked away in Tufnell Park, in a tall thin space called The Corridor (1.2 metres wide, 3 storeys high).  They have many, many beautiful examples of business cards for inspiration, and can design one that is just right for you.

As well as bespoke business cards, wedding stationery, invitations and cards, Harrington & Squires also sell hankies, fridge magnets and calendars...

Top row: folded letter Love card £6;
Bottom row: Sneezie hankie printed with the word Sneeze, Boohoo or Atishoo £10 each

shopping list button fridge magnets -
you probably can't read the type as I didn't zoom in enough...
they have essential grocery items to remind you what to buy

top row: perforated calender
(it's long and thin and you tear off each day that goes by) £16.50;
bottom row: postcards £2.50 each

Mrs Osborn's favourite shops - Belle & Bunty Boutique

Step inside Belle & Bunty's boutique, away from the hustle and bustle of Brecknock Road N7, and you enter into an oasis of calm, elegance and beautiful silk frocks. Belle & Bunty, founded by Alice Shreeve and Hannah Coniam, design the sort of elegant clothes in flattering shapes and colours that make you think 'hurrah! at last I have found...the perfect outfit for a wedding / party / night out on the town / [insert your own elegant moment here]'.

You can see their Magnificent 7 Bridal collection in all it's glory (and I think these dresses would not look amiss on the red carpet, should you ever be in need of a gown for the Oscars) and the newly arrived Spring Sumner 2011 collection is also in stock.

some of The Bridal collection: The Bunty, The Belle and The Estella (left to right) in very pretty shades of pink and cream

Spring Summer 2011 collection - on-line next week...

my favourite, because I love green: The Willow dress (also part of their Bridal collection) featuring a nice little collection of roses at the neckline

There are sparkly jewels too at the Belle & Bunty boutique such as tiny, handmade gold plated dragonfly earrings and vintage-style dress rings found by Alice and Hannah.

For those not already in the know, Brecknock Road is also home to Bumblebee (health food shops), Classic Shoe Repairs (the place to get your designer shoes repaired), and Salvino's Italian deli.

Belle & Bunty, 45a Brecknock Road, London N7 0BT
020 7267 3322