I love Northcote Road Market for it's diversity, it's food and it's casual atmosphere. I was a…read morelocal to SW11 a few years back and my boyfriend and I used to visit the market for fresh bread or homemade taramasalata, whatever was on offer on any given weekend. There are a number of different stalls from antiques and and odds n ends to all sorts freshly baked and prepared food. There is a huge selection of Italian bread, dips, cakes and biscuits. The market is not that big but it's the perfect size in my opinion. I hate markets that are too huge, you can never decide what to buy but Northcote Road Market is small but perfectly formed offering you everything you need for your Sunday lunch to something nice to put on the mantelpiece at home.

I think there is a real diversity to Northcote Road! Some cute novelty shops, and high street…read morenames, mixed with the weekend Market Traders that offer special baked goods, clothing products, handmade goods, household antiques and even a vintage bicycle stall that fixes your bike if you roll up! It is neatly laid out, and a good people watching area while you sip a cuppa' or if you venture back to the common to walk your dog, or catch some sun. Situated 'between the commons' so you get the best of both worlds with Clapham and Wandsworth Common lifestyle(s) and the closest station is Clapham Junction. The only down side is not all the traders are there from week to week so best to check out this market on a sunny day, or Saturdays when its more active. I did stumble across a Facebook page recently, which showcased the market traders and their current products/services. This should help those who are thinking about visiting. http://www.facebook.com/NorthcoteRoadMarket

It's always a delight to come into this shop. There's such a grandness to it... and all the home…read morefurnishings and decorative merchandise feels really solid - like there's a traditional English sturdiness to everything; nothing too fragile to withstand a lifetime of use. I consider GTO a sure bet for gifts - or when I'm just in the mood to purchase something lovely for my own sheer enjoyment. It seems as if the buyers here really scour...the product assortment is classic, but usually with a interesting twist... almost everything they have on offer is something distinctive and really worth having. The products run the gamut of home furnishings... vases, dishes, accent pillows, hard bound books... even bath and body products. I'm especially a fan of their glassware... it's all very sturdy and uniquely decorated - I once found some very elegant, very masculine, tan-coloured tumblers that looked like they'd be at home in the hand of James Bond - the guy who got them thought they were marvelous. They also have a charming card and stationary section... really different and lovely.

This place is an old Chelsea institution, although the atmophere is less unique since they moved…read moreinto a modern new space from their old rabbit-warren around the corner. Basically, they sell three things: - expensive vintage European (not really antique) Asian and European furniture and accessories (leather armchairs, side-tables, elephants carved from driftwood, pond yachts, stone Buddhas) -Serious home things - porcelain, lamps, framed prints, soaps and fine linens, all with a fairly traditional style - All manner of gifty things, especially at Christmas - joke books, small toys, decorations, silver picture frames, scented candles... A good place to come and look for presents, or a nineteenth century brass telescope on a tripod at a 300% markup. (Update - the cafe has gone)

Super super cute store. Very small, but so warm and cozy. The cinnamon roll was one of the best…read moreI've ever had. Not thick and gooey like American ones can be. I'd love to come back!

A small, but lovely place in Putney. The coffee is amazing and the pies, buns and pastries are…read moreabsolutely scrumptious... But this is not the reason I love Blåbär to bits. The reason why I will keep coming here over and over is that the coffee they serve comes from Johan &Nyström, a roastery from the heart of Stockholm. I sincerely believe that J&N's coffee is consistently the best world-wide. It could be my bias though, having drunk it for six years, day in, day out and never getting tired of it. Blåbär does not disappoint in terms of preparation and this coffee tastes as good here as it does at Mariatorget in Stockholm. The atmosphere is relaxed and it's bit too loud. Oh, and they ban laptops on weekends. In exchange they offer brunch...

I have been a fan of Designers Guild for years. They did a collaboration with Williams Sonoma years…read moreago. Their prints are always so amazing.

Unbelievably romantic, incredibly ornate, wildly over-the-top, yet remarkably tasteful...this is…read morewhere I imagine Marie Antoinette would have shopped if she'd had the chance. Designers Guild is an eye-popping bevy of furniture, linens, wallpaper, and drapery. It's really worth a visit just to see how marvelously creative people can be when given carte blanche to so. Everything on offer here is so, so, *so* finely-detailed and well-made and beautiful - it's design execution at its pinnacle. They carry the likes of Ralph Lauren Home and Jasper Conran - some designs of which are exclusive to the store. And they just recently launched their own line of fabrics and wallpapers under the name of "The Royal Collection." This line has supposedly been inspired by interiors found in the residences of the Royals - my goodness, it makes me want to see them!!!

Very special antique shop in the heart of Pimlico Road design district. They have great selection…read moreof decorative items and vases as well as stunning portraiture and prints. You will also find commodes and a select range of seating. Well worth a visit!

From the owner: Dealing in fine and decorative antiques from the seventeenth to the mid-twentieth centuries. We…read morealso offer a sourcing service and advise on all aspects of restoration.

This adorable shop is worth coming to if you like pretty, classic, garden inspired sweaters,…read moredressing gown and pretty frocks. There were having a terrific sale. So cute! Wish these styles fit in with my Newport Beach lifestyle.

The worst customer service I have potentially ever received…read more I bought a dining table that was delivered damaged. When the shop was unable to fix it they told us it was damaged by us despite the delivery driver confirming the damage and instructing me to accept it and then complain. Now they will not accept a return. I'm not sure that's even legal.

Jasper Conran's flagship London store is housed in the 1930s Michelin building, which is shares…read morewith Bibendum, one of Conran's most prestigious of his restaurant empire. Conran's eye for contemporary detail and tastes are ably demonstrated by a stroll through this store which sells everything from furniture to lighting to matches and kitchen gear. There are some strikingly modern designs like Philippe Starck's dual tower Parrot speakers to retro TIMEX digital watches. Being Chelsea, the prices reflect that but it's still a fun stroll through even if you don't to buy anything.

I'm a huge fan of this shop! It's the most remarkable boutique for imported Indian decorative…read moreaccents... but stop right there, because I know your brain just conjured up horrific images of grand swaths of maroon fabric, brassy saffron throw pillows covered in sequins, and garishly ornate wood carvings of the Hindu elephant god, Ganesh. This shop couldn't be further from every tawdry cliché you've ever associated with Indian décor... for starters, when you first walk in, you find yourself gently gripped by the earthy colour palette; there's a very organic feel to it all... lots of browns, mossy greens, punctuated by the occasional shiny flash of colour. Nothing's too unnatural... and the vibe is surprisingly soothing. The woman who runs this shop, Tracy, has a to-die-for eye. She founded Opium after a trip to India left her captivated by the country's furniture and other flourishes... but unlike some who've tried to make a go of importing goods from Asia (I've known at least two who have failed) Tracy seems to have a sixth sense as to what pieces will still hold their magic once they touch down on another continent. There's something very classic, artistic, and timelessly appealing about the sculptures, furniture, doorknobs, pictures, and myriad of other décor to be found here; the grander statement pieces look beautifully authentic - not like they were manufactured en mass for sucker-tourists to cart away. Lots of antiques... and plenty of designs that would look right in place in a more traditional home - not just one with an "Asian" theme going on. If you have any interest in unusual and eclectic décor, I highly suggest you make the trip here. There's also a section of Tracy's own handcrafted jewelry... fabulously unique pieces made from *beautiful* stones (again! This woman's eye!) And if all that weren't enough.... Tracy and the staff she hires are possibly the most amiable, gracious, and genuinely winsome people I've ever encountered in one shop. They're just that *very* rare mix of vivacious and warm, yet *cool*, sort of people that you can't help but think, "wow... um, can we be friends?!"