Abode

If I won the lottery or worked for a home makeover channel and had to find beautiful interior objets d’art, I’d hotfoot it here. In fact, I’d probably buy a load of Abode’s candlesticks, über modern chromatic reindeer heads, vases, glassware, rugs, lampshades and wall stencils, then substitute the lot with a bunch of stuff from Snoopers Paradise and kit my place out. This shop is not cheap, in fact it can leave your wallet feeling poorly and under-​achieving, but for select pieces it’s really perfect. We go in there for an orange candle every couple of weeks — how Rainman is that? We get to drive in the driveway… I’m an excellent driver.

I’m into stylish living, it’s just that my brokeness makes stylish living impossible. Still, I like to visit places such as Abode, which give me a chance to feel (on a temporary basis) what it’s like to live stylishly.
There are some magnificent cushions for sale here. Truly breathtaking. The cushions I have in my flat are falling apart and smell like cigarette smoke (my ex-​flatmate used to smoke inside, and the smell has remained with the cushions), and I wished that I had enough money to purchase some of the cushions to replace the decrepit ones inside my flat. They also sell scented candles and they have some truly extravagant candle holders. They also sell small tables, vases, books, bags, and other fine household pieces.

Yet another delightful home shop in the heart of Brighton, enticing me to part with my hard-​earned cash in exchange for the dream of owning a beautiful, perfectly decorated home in which I display my collection of original artwork and have endless dinner parties… I love so many of the unusual, quirkier bits in here: not just the coasters, mugs and candle holders, but the really unusual like the silver-​plated mussel eaters (shaped exactly like real mussel shells). Everyone knows that to eat mussels, you just use the shell of an already-​eaten one, so would you buy one of these? Absolutely not (especially at £14.95 each). Would you want them to give to guests to use at a dinner party? Of course! These are exactly the kind of things that make great gifts.
The toiletries they sell would make amazing gifts too. Especially the ‘Abaha’ range, which is more towards the pricey end, but is so beautifully packaged and smells absolutely divine. Their tagline is ‘The Ceremony of Bathing’ which encapsulates entirely what Abode does this shop celebrates the ceremony of the home. The artwork they have on display here by sketch artist/​illustrator Rachel Eardley fits the shop perfectly. Her pieces are very much home-​centred and she has the most incredible knack for making the simple and everyday beautiful.

Abode is a lovely little lifestyle boutique, which sells all sorts of fancy things for your home. Scented candles, velvet cushion covers, vases and more are laid out in uncluttered, attractive displays around the shop. They also sell small items of furniture, including some really classy wooden side tables and stools.
Christmas is by far the best time to visit the store, as they have all sorts of beautiful decorations for your tree. They have a gorgeous selection, including gold Christmas trees and stars as well as some really beautiful glass decorations in the shape of parrots and other pretty birds. I bought a few last year in turquoise, white and gold and they really transformed my tree! In fact, they’re so lovely that I’ve hung them up in my bedroom all year.
Abode is a shop full of things you’d rarely buy yourself… quirky light fittings, gilded bird cages and some really delicate chinaware. It is almost impossible to walk around without starting a mental wish-​list, making it the perfect place to start your Christmas list, whilst picking up a few gifts yourself! You can even create your wedding list at Abode!
NB. Everything feels a bit delicate, so it’s not a great place to bring the kids!

Abode is the perfect place to find homeware gifts for a loved one.
Or for a loved one to find gifts for you!
Situated about halfway down Kensington Gardens, it’s charming boutique store that has lovely side tables, console tables, room dividers, fringe panels, floor lamps, table lamps, pigeon lights, marimekko fabrics, wall stickers, mirrors and luxury bedding. If you already have everything you need in the lounge and bedroom department, they also sell gorgeous kitchen and bath accessories from china, glasses, tea-​pots and coasters to candles, soaps and towels.
Don’t know if they still have any in stock, but last time I went in I fell in love with the wicker bulls head and the Ibride ostrich console table.

I bought some lovely big chunky silver candlesticks here– not real silver unfortunately. I generally window-​shop this store as it all looks really lovely but out of my price range– the one time I did go in I wanted to touch and buy most things. The lady working at the time was very helpful and patient when I kept asking what things were made of and actually the candlesticks were quite cheap… so a lovely shop and not as expensive as it looks– which is meant as a compliment!