Brighton Weekend.

This weekend I was Brighton bound to see a close friend. She introduced me to some of the fantastic indoor markets packed to the brim with retro furniture, electricals, crockery and rows of vintage clothing.

Embroidered cushion by Lara Sparks. On sale at RUME Brighton.

As we walked into Brighton we came across a RUME boutique, and staring out at us from the window display were some beautifully crafted items like this Brighton pier inspired cushion pictured above. This exclusively commissioned piece for Rume features highly detailed and colourful embroidery depicting a selection of familiar fairground rides. This cushion cover is made up of two panels which are then lovely worked into by hand. Made from 100% cottons, linens and silks, with a removable envelope cover and a feather core. What is wonderful is that each piece is hand made so you are ordering something unique.

What a cake! at Choccywoccydoodah.

Another popular shop we visited, lovingly known as the 'Mothership was Choccywoccydoodah. Nestled in the Lanes area of Brighton and just two minutes from the seafront, the little shop is a treasure trove of chocolate, cake and creativity. The shop window attracts literally thousands of visitors from all over the world, and what did we see but this highly crafted 'Surprised Lady' in a bath; quite apt given she was being gawked upon by every inquisitive tourists.

It was a pleasure looking at these chocolate fantasies I didn't want to leave! but, on visiting the website they have set up shop here in the center of London. Choccywoccydoodah is in the heart of Soho just off Carnaby Street. You will find them at 30-32 Fouberts Place, Carnaby, London W1F 7PS, so I urge you to go along, behold their eccentric creations and enjoy the Chocolate Bar.

Department Shop In Hove.

Now for the furniture markets! Department is a brand new flea market on Blatchington Road. Below are just a few pictures I took from the shop inside, and just look at the fantastic assortment of items.

Beautiful Chairs From £25.

Retro Radio and Beautiful Crockery.

Stripey Golden Teapot.

Antique Style Red Chair.

All of the furniture and house hold items sold very in a very good condition, however I would suggest asking whether any of the electrical or battery operated appliances work before you purchase.

Address Card Drawers from Snoopers Paradise, Brighton.

I could have spend hours walking through the lanes in Brighton collecting copious amounts of furniture and household items, but I chose to come home with two purchases of which I am very happy. The first pictured directly below is a set of solid wood address card drawers decorated with delicate ornate handles. (note from a previous blog Home Furniture - Project Cabinet, I could clearly see the item had Dovetail joints so I can roughly date it as being made before 1860).

I bought it from another indoor market named Snoopers Paradise, all the stalls are in one big building in the middle of the North Laine. You can pick up absolutely anything here, from Victorian clothing to a pearl chandelier to art deco mirrors to old postcards to a spinning wheel.

Ornate Handles.

Dovetail Joints, Antique? Maybe!

New Coffee Tin.

The final bargain was a Bournville Cocoa Tin, so I finally have somewhere for my coffee to live. Many of the shops in The Lanes contained little trinkets just like the tin above, so I would utterly recommend a visit. If you have a free weekend, love the sea and bustling markets Brighton is a stones throw from London, so get your train tickets booked!