I’m not really keen on shopping as a pastime but sometimes spending a lazy morning having breakfast and browsing in a shop which takes you into another world is a real pleasure. Floral Hall in Crouch End is one of those shops, starting with its wonderful glass-house premises, followed by its creaky wooden floor boards, and finally, its quirky stock which is always interesting and fun.
Andrew Sorrell has been selling antique and vintage pieces here since 1983. He and his wife Marie have an eye, and basically they sell what catches their attention in their monthly buying trips, usually to France. I know a bit about French decoration as I lived there for many years. It’s easy to be seduced by something which looks romantic in its setting but when you get it home looks disappointingly like a bit of old tat. That’s where we benefit from experienced people like Andrew who understands his clients and what they understand by Shabby-Chic-French (not too shabby please). Of course it’s not just about Boho Bordeaux or Petit Paris, the shop has a range of mirrors, lighting, furniture and decorative pieces in varying styles from the 19th and 20th centuries. Reviewers have called the vibe ‘eclectic’ which is a good word in my book because you never know what you’re going to come across, and on a relaxing Saturday morning forage a surprising little object, which I might take home with me, is just what I’m looking for.
Floral Hall Antiques, Crouch Hill, London N8 9DX Tel: 020 8348 7309 http://floralhallantiques.co.uk
Opening hours: Tues to Sat: 10am to 6pm
