Back in June, one of our readers Deborah Thomas tipped me off about The New Craftsmen Garage pop up store in Mayfair, where her lovely bags from Doe Leather were for sale. I managed to NOT go two or three times due to a chaotic work schedule, despite Deborah saying she really really thought it was right up our street. Completely accidentally I bumped into it yesterday, and now I’m KICKING myself for not going earlier because it is really fabulous and it closes on Saturday.
If you are in the Oxford Street/Bond Street/Mount Street area over the next few days, I would urge you to pop in and see a) the gorgeous space -it’s in an original mews house garage (or horse stable I think) with tile work to die for b) the lovely range of British craftsmanship on display.
Craftsmen include Ernest Wright from Sheffield, who supplied the gold plated steel scissors, Billy Lloyd tableware, Kevin Gauld and Gareth Neal’s straw backed chair from Orkney and an original Fairisle long hat from Mati Ventrillon. There’s jewellery, ceramics, art and clothes and you can commission work too for a more personal touch.
If you are around tonight there’s a Mulled Wine and Gift Wrapping evening with Wrap magazine, to learn how to wrap a present properly (best do that before the wine). It’s also on Saturday.
I could have quite happily moved in.
Below is Deborah’s tote bag and leather accessories.
I’m sorry I only got around to writing about this three days before it closes, but the team behind the idea plan to open again elsewhere next year, hopefully somewhere as inspiring. Also there is a website where you can buy the carefully curated range of British made, quality products on its shopify page.
How useful does this bench below, look?
The pop up shop is down a small mews called Adam’s Row, it’s at The Garage, which is number 14, open 11.00am – 6.00pm. Go
