Going nuts for glamping?

Let’s face it, you’ve got to be mildly mad to go camping in Great Britain. Despite our homeland’s name, the weather on offer to holidaymakers isn’t exactly great. That’s probably why we’ve invented a clever new pastime called ‘glamping’. The idea of glamorous camping is much more appealing – better still, glamping doesn’t even have to involve a tent.






Some of my friends in the northern Cotswolds have two shepherd’s huts in their wood (one sleeping two, the other four), which they’re letting out to glampers. James Kerr’s photographs right and below give you an idea of the style of accommodation. There’s also a composting loo, which I’ve been assured isn’t smelly – and a ‘hot outdoor shower through a bucket.’







You’ll note there’s no sign of rain in either of these photographs. Email us if you’re interested…





Alternatively, if you’re determined to try out some authentic camping, young designer Ross Pugh has designed a pop-up tent that can be erected and dismantled in seconds.

His tents can also be connected together to create a camping community – and then folded away into easily transportable carrying bags.







Oh, and whenever you’re camping, it’s always useful to have some practical accessories around. Curiously eccentric (OR WOT!) Mark H has created a handy clip called Le Croc, which is quite the perfect accessory for glamping – and is available exclusively at ShopCurious. The ultimate crocodile clip, Le Croc is 18 carat gold plated by a company that also works for the Royal Mint. Made in the Midlands, every clip is trimmed with an individually customized tie hook. Cracking!






Talking of Mark camping, do you remember Mike Leigh’s hilarious Play for Today, Nuts in May?

Do you?

Pink chintz and charming country style

I’m saving the middle part of my Christmas story till later, but early in the New Year I spent a couple of days visiting friends in rural Derbyshire. I wanted to share this with you first, because if you happen to find yourself in that part of England, I’ve discovered a rather lovely place to stay:

I can thoroughly recommend Park View Farm near Ashbourne. An eclectic mix of granny’s attic style meets faded chintzy boudoir chic, this has to be amongst the most charming Bed and Breakfast accommodation in the country.
















There’s a creaking wooden staircase, four poster beds, free standing roll-top cast iron baths and the main house is adorned with characterful vintage prints, chiming clocks and quirky curiosities.


The traditional pink chintz curtains made me feel completely at home – I have a feeling they’re made from the same Laura Ashley fabric I had in my flat in the late 1980s.















There are wonderfully dated festoon blinds, which are perfect for collecting Jack spiders, so they don’t nibble you in the night. A painting of a curiously cute rabbit hangs above the loo - and, amidst the memorabilia, there are even some old fashioned costume prints to keep us fashion hounds amused.












If you’re in a big party, there’s plenty of accommodation in additional guest cottages with pretty names like Honeysuckle Cottage, curiously appropriate since honeysuckle pink is Pantone’s colour of the year.













There’s also a large breakfast table, where you can congregate for a home-cooked breakfast that (to borrow a word from Jamie Oliver) is utterly delish… What’s more, the table is beautifully set with Willow Pattern crockery, plus there are crystal serving bowls and twirly-stemmed antique candlesticks.




















In terms of practical comfort and simple but stylish home decoration, you can’t go wrong with a country farmhouse style kitchen, especially if you actually live in a country farmhouse and can look out of the window onto an authentic field of grazing sheep.

The host and hostess are a lovely couple who are polite, friendly and amazingly available for a chat at the same time as running a farm and preparing a full English fry up (with mouth-meltingly buttery mushrooms, freshly laid eggs and unusually tasty wholemeal toast). Radio 3 burbles along in the background, though apparently the cows in the milking parlour prefer Classic FM.








Anyway, if you’d like to ‘get the look’ we’ve some uniquely arty Willow Pattern placemats at ShopCurious, along with this fabulous antique porcelain cherub mirror. Perfect if you’re suddenly feeling all romantic.

Are you?

Sticks, stones, beasts and bones

This weekend, I thought it would be fun to focus on a curious new trend I spotted: primeval style. So let’s travel back to the distant past - to the dark ages and the very basics of the primordial lifestyle…

You may have noticed that ancient crafts have begun to re-emerge in design, so we’re seeing things like basket weaving, roughly carved wooden furniture, primitive looking skin and stone home accessories, along with age old decorative techniques, such as marquetry.




Unfortuately, the Primal Scream concert at London's Olympia tonight is already sold out. But you can take the opportunity to dine out in proper primeval style instead: Just pop along to Jamie Oliver’s new charcoal grill restaurant, Barbecoa, where the service is certainly bordering on the Neolithic - though the chefs somehow make even the simplest of ingredients taste utterly divine.






If you’re into collecting, you’ll have already noted the current fascination with old techniques and processes. This weekend, Albert Watson is in town for the launch of his vintage photography exhibition at Hamiltons Gallery in Mayfair, selling a selection of his most famous silver gelatin and Polaroid prints.











Watson’s photographs include this shot of Mick Jagger as a leopard, which definitely captures man’s basic animal instinct. And another, of the back of Mike Tyson’s freakishly wide neck. Incidentally, Albert Watson’s father was professional boxer, who told him that the most important thing for a boxer is to have a strong neck.




Moving swiftly on, for The Last Tuesday Society’s winter show, opening today in Hackney, Alice Herrick & Viktor Wynd, will transform the gallery into a Rousseauesque jungle “representing a contemporary Bestiary... regal beasts, enchanted forests, curious creatures and bejewelled nature. The centre of the gallery will be filled with a menagerie of taxidermied animals, from giraffes and polar bears to lion and tiger skeletons.”






For lovers of authentic primitive style, we’ve also got some rather primal curiosities of nature online, at ShopCurious – ranging from stone lizard pendants to genuine frog purses.

And, finally, don't forget to check out the curiously bestial headwear in my latest post at The Dabbler – just in case you feel like unleashing your inner caveman (or woman) this Christmas.

Do you?

Princesses and paperweights for Papa

If your father enjoys collecting, he’ll be very impressed with a gift that’s a genuine retro curiosity. However, the art of collecting is largely a matter of personal taste - so if you want to find something that’s both collectable and also likely to appeal, it’s best to have a good idea of the recipient’s taste, as well as knowing where to source authentic collectibles from.











ShopCurious has a few suggestions for you, if you’re looking for especially unique and unusual gifts for Fathers’ Day. Retro curiosity number one is this totally beautiful 1960s perspex paperweight – a unique piece of tourist memorabilia.





You can tell it’s from Portugal because, as they say, it’s written on the tin (or at least within the divinely syrupy amber resin). Also inside, is a stylish filigree carved Portuguse galleon – the perfect gift if your Dad loves fishing, fish and chips or anything to do with the sea.







If your pa’s good with his hands, he might prefer this Steampunk style retro curiosity, which should keep him curious for ages.











Just how did they get all those nuts, bolts, cogs and horological paraphernalia into that square of honey coloured perspex?








Your Dad will love this if he’s the sort of chap who’s a bit of a tinker, and tends to spend quite a lot of time in his garden shed…









Alternatively, if he’s the smooth, well travelled and worldly type, some suitably unique accessories like these curiously exotic vintage African Princess cufflinks might be the order of the day.

Whatever his personal taste, there’s no better way to flatter and amuse any man than with a curiously appropriate gift.

Will you?

Chelsea's traditional Summer charm

The Chelsea Flower Show has to be one of the ultimate occasions of the Summer season. Although it’s very much an international event, attracting landscape gardeners, growers and sponsors from all over the world, the setting and style of the show are quintessentially British.














The Royal Hospital, home to the Chelsea Pensioners, is as full of character and charm as its curiously colourful occupants, whose bright red jackets vie for attention with the exotic floral displays. Of course, they’re always on hand to give directions, perform on the bandstand, or simply have a little chat about whatever takes their fancy - which often seems to be a pretty young girl!


The State Apartments make the perfect venue for an authentic English afternoon tea, where ladies in hats find it hard to resist the temptation of pastries that look as magnificent as the works of art adorning the walls.

































The traditional English country garden, with a slightly wild and overgrown feel about it, is the variety I often find the most appealing – and there are plenty on display this year. Incidentally, you can vote for your favourite garden design on the Royal Horticultural Society website.




















There seems to be an even larger selection of merchandise on sale too, from a multitude of specialist retailers. You can buy all sorts of products, from packets of seeds and gardening gloves to garden furniture and rather impressive looking tractor type things.







However, of all the gadgets I saw, the one I most coveted was this chap’s mobility bike… perfect for getting about the sprawling site - and for carrying all those heavy information packs.

Most of the clothing stands at the show are geared towards outdoor types: there’s an abundance of brown and green accessories like wellies, oilskins and cloth caps. This contrasts with the stylish dress of many of the visitors.





Anyway, if you’re looking for something that’s appropriately understated, yet still rather unique, to jazz up an outfit for a Summer garden event, I can recommend this vintage polished natural stone brooch from ShopCurious.









By the way, someone left their specs behind - I was wondering if anyone happens to know who these belong to…

Do you?

Mum's the word... vintage Paris on the cheap

A trip to Paris with your mother may not be the most romantic option for a weekend break. However, if you’ve a penchant for designer vintage fashion, you’ll find plenty of things for both of you to fall in love with in this city of couture and quality craftsmanship.

Paris is the world renowned centre for luxury lifestyle products – though, these days, brands like Chanel, Dior and Louis Vuitton are more likely to be associated with the celebrities who promote them than the city from which they originated. If you're not quite rich or famous enough to be invited to the couture shows, a well planned visit to Paris still offers the chance to see traditionally made, stylish French fashion - simply by exploring some of the quirky vintage stores dotted across town.





A ‘luxury’ shopping trip to Paris doesn't require a second mortgage either - it's quite possible to tour vintage Paris on the cheap:

There are many inexpensive travel options. If you book far enough in advance, standard Eurostar tickets (from London) are available for as little as £29 each way. Once in Paris, the best way of seeing the city is most definitely on foot. When your legs get tired, or if you need a faster way of getting around, just grab an eco-friendly bike at one of the generously stocked bicycle stations, conveniently located across the city centre.








Save your pennies in Paris by finding a reasonably priced hotel. Browse the internet for sites offering special rates for hotel rooms. The Hotel Louvre Bons Enfants, for instance, is just a stone’s throw from the Hotel de Louvre, with rooms available at a fraction of the price. There are even interesting views from the windows – including curious sculpture and architecture… Plus, there’s free Wi-Fi and affordable champagne in the mini-bar.





To the occasional visitor, eating out in style can present a challenge - but, rather than trying to avoid the tourist traps, why not use them to your advantage? Ask the hotel front desk to suggest a restaurant nearby. If you’re in the centre of town, the restaurants are bound to be foreigner friendly, even in Paris. You’ll most likely find yourself in the company of fellow tourists, which should make for an amusing evening, especially if you’re alone - or with your mother.




Le Petit Machon, recommended by the Louvre Bons Enfants, has a great atmosphere and the traditional Lyonnais food, though rather bland tasting, is reasonably good value.








Alternatively, if Mummy's paying, mix with the locals at chi-chi restaurants like L’Avenue in Avenue Montaigne, where by midday, the black dresses, fur coats, models and media crowd are already queuing up to secure their table for lunch.




The food is well presented and actually rather delicious, even if it’s served up barely cooked, three minutes after you sat down. But what you’re paying for is the view; just remember to ask for a table near the window, where you can sit and watch le tout Paris mincing past – and get an eye full of the Eiffel Tower at the same time.






Shopping is taken very seriously in Paris – and the city is bursting with smart boutiques. Rather than fighting over flea-bitten bargains in vintage markets, why not shop in classic Parisian style? Look no further than Didier Ludot’s fabulous emporium in the Palais Royal.




The only problem with this establishment is that, in all the times I’ve been to Paris, I’ve never once found it to be open.

Never mind, however curious the opening hours, there’s absolutely no need to go inside, as this is probably the best place in the world to window shop for high quality designer vintage collectors’ items.







Take a look at some of photographs here of pieces exhibited in the window during Paris Fashion Week – including couture Chanel and 1960s Paco Rabanne chain mail. Some of the other shops in the Palais Royal are also worth exploring, although the prices can be somewhat off-putting (unless one wanders a few doors down to Marc Jacobs and realizes that everything’s relative).






The winding streets of the Marais district are also great for rare and precious vintage finds, with some charming examples of vintage Chanel and Hermes – all at a certain price, which is just fine… so long as you’re only window shopping.





If the mere prospect of seeing fabulous vintage clothes and accessories is too much of temptation to splurge, you can always stay at home and order a Chinese... Just add some shell chopstick holders from ShopCurious for a perfectly stylish and authentic experience - and check out our designer vintage clothing without going anywhere.






And, if you're UK based and celebrating today, I hope you enjoy a happy Mothers’ Day... whatever you choose to do. Do let us hear about it.

Will you?