Today I’m feeling a little bit sick, not ill, just that feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when you’re feeling a little out of your comfort zone. I shall explain, last week pottering around the neighbourhood with Maud and Mung’s I happened open a store to let. Nothing strange there you might say except (and this is what is making me sick) its in a certified seedy zone, tough words but by this I mean its in a spot that is a bit gritty, surrounded by kebab shops, butcher shops and funny looking newsagents. AND YET there is something about it, I can’t explain, a bit like falling in love I guess when you can’t stop thinking about that person who you’ve only just met, when they (or in this case this store) permeates your thoughts 24 7. Nobody else really gets it, and even though you keep saying I love, I love, I love it, you just get that sort of strange eyebrows raised to the heavens kind of look.
Have I totally lost the plot?
Probably, but here me out, I love the edginess of Dalston how since I’ve lived here its changed from being a so called dead zone to being a hip cool hang out with cafes, cool bars, fab little shops, and this new little shop I’ve found is on the edge of that. I don’t know why I always want to push boundaries or increase an already crazy workload. Moving here 12 years ago was met with sharp intakes of break and gasps but I knew I just knew deep down that it would change. Also I don’t want to replicate our current store no point in that they are barely a few miles apart, nope I want a cafe, a cool fabulous cafe in amongst kebab shops, and butcher shops and the main point a flower shop that takes flower shops to a whole other level. Bunches and bunches, tables and tables full to the brim of our faux’s. I want art on the walls, a selection of vintage finds smattering the floor, and maybe even a DJ spinning some tunes in the corner. Am I mad? I want a flower school, a selection of amazing cool super speedy workshops where people can pop in say for an hour to here about how to inject personality into a space, be bold with colour, accessorise with attitude. Running parallel and in addition to the Design School this is. I want amazing coffee that you would travel across town for, to drink in a place you would love to call home!
That’s what I want.
This morning I am going back to look at it again
No pictures this morning, feeling too queasy to search them out and my minds total attention is concentrated on this store (told you it was like falling in love).
Happy Tuesday everyone.
Totally encourage you to go with this fab & amazing dream, Abi! I went to school in Dalston when I was growing up, and was very excited to read about your amazing edge of the comfort zone plans! xx
Thanks Kara x
Do it!! It sounds perfect and certainly somewhere I would visit. But please don’t forget good tea. Thanks very much for the masterclass on Saturday. I’m currently in Stockholm on the look out for unique clutter (whilst fitting in a bit of work, of course). I was truly inspired by your home. Anyway, back to the topic of shops, just follow your instinct. It’s served you well so far. Olivia
Thank you good advice, enjoy Stockholm
Do it Abigail! Sometimes you just have to go with your gut. But…please, the very next shop you open, let it be in Sydney, Australia – and then I can come and work for you!
Good luck!
Thank you x
Abigail,
This sounds incredibly exciting! Just remember, not everyone has the ability to see what you see…I have no doubt that you could make this the coolest florist cafe in town!
Good luck with your new obsession,
Tip
Thank you xx
Go for it, you only live once!
It sounds really exciting, London needs lovely wonderful creative spaces. Good luck!
Thank you very muchx
Do it. Sound business sense, opening new horizons, showcasing your style to a new and wider audience in an environment that can be quickly adaptable to change on a whim, diversifying your interests. A new place to experiement – a new place to diversify – reaching into the whole lifestyle thing that people buy. Two way feedback from customers free of charge, interacting with people on a different basis. OMG it is SOOOOO EXCITING!! do it do it do it – I wsh it was ME! – I am suffering from adventure envy now!!!
It sounds wonderful,you always have to go with your heart even if your head tells you otherwise,
Sounds like a little slice of heaven. I’d visit. And I do believe you should follow your gut/instinct..and heart:) exciting stuff. wish you well with it.
Very kind thank you
Oh my the same thing happened to me yesterday. Driving by a shop which ice been eyeing forever and a big for lease sign appears I almost crashed. Appointment with real estate agent tomorrow and told a fabulously cheap rent as only a one year lease!!! About to quit fashion design job and jump in with both hands. Want fab Moroccan plates local art big mirrors and a smattering of clothes to combine….will add some vintage pieces and anything that makes me happy. Lilly my 14 year old us sooo excited she will finally get to spend the days with her mama!!! Can’t sleep that excited!!!! Thanks for your blog love it! Jo
Good luck hope you bag it, we’re putting in an offer today so hopefully its a go our end as well x
Mines in Melbourne wish me luck and good luck with your offer x
Wish you the hugest amount of luck x
London needs that place – and Dalston is the perfect location. I remember when it was a complete mess – love it now. Go for it Abi – your instincts serve you well
Ax
Wow – what a fab idea. The whole idea sounds so inspiring and it will help regenerate the area too. Good coffee shops and florists are always a huge draw (with yummy homemade cakes too). Go with your gut instinct – it always seems to work and you certainly have the talent.
Sounds absolutely great – like a place you just don’t want to leave once you are there…. Sharon
new york has a lot of seedy spaces that need spicing up – ha- happy shopping
Would love to open in NY its on the plan xx
I will be waiting for you to open in NY!!! Your idea sounds great! If I had cafe like that around me, I’d be there a lot!!! You are so full of awesome ideas!!! Good luck! and remember if you do a retail class in NY, I am in!
Just do it! Go with your instinct! How exciting!!
I actually think that you’re influential enough that if you open a cafe there everyone will believe it’s the next cool place and flock there in droves. Do it! x
You are too kind, wish I had that faith but thank you for saying x
Sounds wonderful, but I really think you should be spreading your particular style of design magic around west London too. Plenty of ‘gritty’ places on the verge of fabulousness, just waiting for an AAA to open up!
West London might just well be next x
YES PLEASE, I say!!! Do it do it do it. I’ll come.
The fact that you want to do these ‘crazy’ things is why you are so great as a designer. The best two lessons from your Master Class I attended on Friday (which was so inspiring on so many levels I couldn’t sleep that night). Lesson One: Break the Rules and Push the Boundaries Lesson Two: Have Confidence in Yourself. So, here’s it back to you. Do it and we will be there. Just make sure the coffee is great!
Good points thank you I should listen to what I preach hey!
How incredibly exciting! I just love that you aren’t afraid of RISKS, it comes through in everything you do. The shop vision sounds absolutely amazing, good luck with the offer!! xx
Thank you very muchx
When ordering flowers, i always order from online flower shops because it is more convenient to order from them. ‘;”‘`
Enjoy your weekend!
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