Vintage Shops London

Mason (Flower Market: Botanical Style at Home) knows an exciting, welcoming London shop when she sees it. Here, she champions some of her favorite independent vintage shops and antique markets in London, for those who eschew throw-away culture (much the way Leigh Metcalf’s London Stitch & Knit appealed to folks disenchanted with wasteful fast fashion). Organized geographically, the book features an eclectic mix of shops that sell previously loved wares, ranging from small items like books, vinyl records, and clothing, to more sizable pieces (like mid-century furniture or architectural salvage). The profile of each shop includes contact details and carefully worded descriptions that give readers a splendid sense of the shop’s specialty, plus occasional tidbits about a shop’s history or passionate staff. Mason includes helpful information about on-site amenities too. The accompanying artful photos give a visual sample of a shop’s offerings and sometimes include an interesting exterior shot or street scene capable of evoking wanderlust. A very short final chapter on decorating with vintage treasures is useful even for those not planning a shopping excursion.