A few weekends ago Lily and Rich came to stay and it was bloomin’ awesome. Since we’ve moved we’ve had more people come and stay with us in a matter of weeks than we did in three years at the old place. Perhaps it’s because we’re near the sea now or because they’ve heard the rumours that our guest sofa bed is extremely comfortable – but whatever the reason I’m enjoying my new role as part-time B&B hostess. Part of my hostess duties include showing our friends and family around the city and making it look awesome, which isn’t hard because Brighton is the mutt’s nuts. Some people want to wander along the seafront, others have fulfilled their dream of chowing down on fish and chips on the Pier (screw the fish and chips and go for the doughnuts I say), but Lily fancied picking up some things for their new place so I directed us around a little tour of the best homeware shops in town whilst the boys followed carrying our new purchases (cheers lads!). Today I thought I’d share the route…
I’d recommend starting around the Palmeira Square area of Hove – there’s lots of places around there to grab food and if you head east along Western Road you’ll end up on the first stop which is I Gigi General Store (pictured above). It’s a fab spot for little bits and bobs like candles and crockery. It’s guaranteed that you’ll leave with something. A couple of doors down there’s Florian and I recommend popping into there too because their succulent selection is spot-on. Plus they usually have the option to buy plants along with the pot they are displayed in which is kind of genius because the pots are so darn lovely.
Pick up your bags and hop onto a bus into the city centre area of town and get off by The Laines. The North Laines are where it’s at when it comes to independent interiors places and there are some great shops to pick up prints, but I’d recommend heading down Bond Street and stopping off at Oliver Bonas first because they have some great soft furnishings, photo frames and prints in there. Keep walking down Gardner Street and pop into Edited which is on your left. They do everything from lighting to stationery – be sure to check out all the floors! At the end of the road turn right and you’ll end up at the doorstep of Utility. Now this is the place to pick up retro-looking kitchenware and just generally very useful things. You’ll also feel like you’ve time-travelled.
Turn back on yourself, cross the road and head left down onto Kensington Street. Now this little side-street in town is always chocker, but it’s well worth all the barging because this is where some of my favourites interiors spots are. On the right is Abode which has some great prints and pieces in. Mark and I got some lighting for our bedroom in there and I picked up a print for Lily and Rich’s engagement there too. A bit further down and on the left is Burt’s. Now Burt’s is like a Brighton and Hove tradition. Every knows about Burts and everyone love Burt’s. They do a huge range of kitchen stuff in this one and it’s a great place to pick up useful foodie gadgets. I usually end up buying something and then getting one for my Grandma too as she loves everything in there.
You might be weighed down with bags by this point, but if you can still move then pop to Wai Kika Moo Kau for lunch – you won’t be disappointed.
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