Colours of Arley x Studio Sparks cushions
(Picture: Colours of Arley)Christmas may have crept up on us all this year, but we’re not quite at the ‘grab a giftcard at the till’ stage yet.
There are plenty of markets and pop-up events this week and next — here is our round-up of the best for stylish browsing.
Winter Showroom
Join makers Bug Clothing, Eesome, Glasshouse, Jaggery, Karina Banks and On The Nature of Things for a special winter market selling handcrafted accessories and homeware. Look out for artist and designer Ana Kerin of Kana London who will be part of the lineup, selling her signature handmade ceramic and glass tableware and expressive blue ink line drawings which portray undulating silhouettes and free-form shapes.
What to buy: Vase Body in glass, £280, and Artworks, from £1,200, Kana London
December 15-18, Unit 12, Stephen House, Hackney, E9 6QH
Alice Palmer & Co
Distinctive handmade lampshades, inspired by an eclectic mix of traditional British homes, Moroccan Riads and Andalusian haciendas will be on offer at this pop-up shop in Kensal Rise, alongside cushions, bed valances, tissue box covers and a range of Christmas decorations in the brand’s signature pleats, pretty patterns and bold stripes.
What to buy: Tangier Red Stripe Box Pleat Lampshade, £120, Alice Palmer & Co
December 15, 8 Kings Parade, Okehampton Road, Kensal Rise, NW10 3ED
A South London Makers Market
Temporarily taking over the Westow House Pub in Crystal Palace, A South London Makers Market returns offering a night of festive shopping from a variety of independent makers. This includes textile print designer Jessie de Salis, string lampshade maker Loving String, and Salt Studios who specialize in creating on-trend terrazzo homeware pieces. There’s also a live blues performer, mulled wine, and boozy hot chocolates.
What to buy: Handmade Checkered Coaster, £20 each, Salt Studios
December 15, from 4-9pm. Westow House pub, Crystal Palace, SE19 1TY
Crafty Fox Market at Mercato Metropolitano
Over 30 hand-picked artists and craftspeople will be selling their wares at this special winter market at Mercato Metropolitano near Elephant & Castle. Pop along on December 17 and 18 to explore a variety of homeware accessories from makers like Garudio Studiage, Nyanko Pots, and artist Anoushka Cole. Mercato Metropolitano is known for its sustainable food court, so expect a bountiful offering of snacks too.
What to buy: Famous Sights of London Tea Towel, £12, Garudio Studiage (trading Saturday 17th). Or, Yunomi Green Tea Cup, £22, Nyanko Pots (trading Sunday 18th). Or, Large Lobster Print, £52, Anoushka Cole (trading Saturday 17th).
December 17 and 18. Mercato Metropolitano, 42 Newington Causeway, Elephant & Castle, SE1 6DR
The Horniman Market, featuring Nina Bombina
Discover the bright and bold works of artist and designer Nina Bombina at the Horniman Market in Forest Hill. You may have spotted Nina’s colourful homeware, gifts and greetings cards on the high street and this is your chance to meet the makers in person and shop direct.
What to buy: Marble Candles, £7.99 each, Nina Bombina.
December 18, Horniman Museum, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ
Lone Design Club: A Conscious Gifting Store Pop-up
A special collaboration between Lone Design Club and The Crown Estate, taking up residence on ever-stylish Jermyn Street. There are present options from designers and makers who produce sustainability-conscious products, including handmade striped cushions that are part of a special collaboration between Colours of Arley and Walthamstow cushion maker Studio Sparks.
What to buy: Frill Cushion, £165 each, Colours of Arley X Studio Sparks.
Until December 24. 23 Jermyn Street, City of Westminster, SW1Y 6ST
Anya’s Grotto, by Anya Hindmarch
Bag designer Anya Hindmarch has created a Christmas pop-up with a difference in Belgravia. Not only is there a bounty of consciously crafted home and interiors gifts, including playing cards, jigsaw puzzles, cushions, candles, and limited edition personalised hampers, but there is also the option to pre-book an immersive Christmas experience and meet Father Christmas. Wrap up and keep warm with one of Anya’s All Over Eyes Lambswool Blanket in dark clementine.
What to buy: All Over Eyes Blanket, £750, Anya Hindmarch
Until December 24. The Village Hall, 11 Pont Street, Belgravia, SW1X 9EH
Mrs Benn Pop-up
A selection of mid century dealers will be selling prints, paintings, furniture and accessories at this pop-up in Brockley Cross. There will also be designers and makers selling new objects and art too, including pieces by artist Zoe Thomas.
What to buy: Painting on wood, POA, Zoe Thomas Art at Mrs Benn Pop-up.
Until December 24, 16-18 Brockley Cross, SE4 2AA
Yinka Ilori
Artist Yinka Ilori is popping up in the heart of Shoreditch this Christmas. The temporary retail space draws its inspiration from West African architecture and is a showcase for Ilori’s homeware collection. Boldly coloured and patterned tableware, textiles, stationery and games reference Ilori’s British-Nigerian heritage.
Instead of a Christmas board game, why not get stuck into the limited edition reinterpretation of Ayo, the strategy game popular among Nigeria’s Yoruba people?
What to buy: Ayo Game, £275, Yinka Ilori
Until January 3. 9 Club Row, E1 6JX
Circle of friends
Furniture designer Fred Rigby is hosting a Christmas market, and he’s invited a selection of his artist and designer friends to take part too.
Pop along to Rigby’s Hackney studio to discover works by life drawing artist Alexandria Coe and multi-disciplinary artist Tejumola Butler Adenuga. Don’t forget the Fred Rigby Studio Homeware Collection, which includes new wooden Totem plates and bowls.
What to buy: Totem Plate, £120, Fred Rigby Studio
December 16-18, 11am-5pm. Fred Rigby Studio,5a Gransden Avenue, E8 3QA
Handcrafted at The Tay
Interior designer Matilda Goad is putting on creative workshops at her north-west London studio, and you can buy the wares too.
Choose from an evening workshop with Wilder Botanics, a live demonstration by Tess Newall who will be hand painting lampshades and Stephanie Callaghan will craft wild flower letters. It’s also an opportunity to shop pieces from Matilda Goad & Co.
What to buy: Sunburst and Serpent Charm Candle Holders, £70; matchbox, £45, Matilda Goad & Co
Until December 17, Wed-Fri 11am-6pm, Sat 10am-6pm, The Tay Building, Unit 15, 2a Wrentham Avenue, NW10 3HA
Area Noir
London-based online art platform Area Noir is popping up IRL so Christmas shoppers can browse its limited-edition prints in person. Look out for Nairobi-based Nadia Wamunyu, who makes gorgeous charcoal and oil life drawings, as well as works by Patti Endo, Ukandi Atsu, Kamlah, Tope Ajayi and Wisil Mitty.
What to buy: Nadia Wamunyu prints, from £110
December 19-22, Redchurch Street Studios, 58 Redchurch Street, E2 7DP
Desmond & Dempsey
Designers Joel Jeffery and Molly Goddard invite us into their south London studio for a ‘pop-in’ shopping event. Specialising in pyjamas and sleepwear, this is the place for the ultimate Christmas lounging set. Take a friend along and you get a free gift with purchase. Register your interest to attend via the Desmond & Dempsey page on Eventbrite.
What to buy: Jag Print Pyjama Set, £170
