Vintage Balham

Balham is an area which is close to my heart, my family settled there in the 60s and I spent my childhood and early twenties living in the area. Balham has gone through vast changes and has now become a hugely popular suburban area with good schools, amenities and transportation links to Central London which has been a pulling factor for young professionals and young families. Balham has become the young trendy place to be in Wandsworth with highly acclaimed music venues such as The Bedford and the Balham Bowls Club which has become home to Craft workshops and Creative events. My visit to the area has been to seek out to the best of Vintage, here are the independents I found.


 Quirky Dovetail
24 Ritherdon Road, SW17 8QD
www.quirkydovetail.co.uk 
Quirky Dovetail is Lovely little shop best known for their eclectic range of Vintage and Antique Furniture and Gifts. Situated on the vibrant Ritherdon Road, it couldn’t be better placed. On visiting the shop you get a wonderful sense of community combined with a welcoming atmosphere, shop owners Gill and Andy have clearly built up a good rapport with local and new customers, they seem to know what their customers want! Quality furniture with excellent finishes and of course good customer service. Quirky Dovetail is an independent worth visiting.

Spring events at Quirky Dovetail
Wednesday 28th March-Easter Shopping event
Drop in for complementary wines and nibbles while you browse and receive 15% discount off purchases made on the night.
Free event
Time 6-9pm

Wednesday 25th April-Colours for Home and interiors
These popular interior workshops provide you with the opportunity to discover how to use colour to create different interior styles-with essential tips if you are decorating this spring. Understand and appreciate Farrow and Ball’s fantastic range of neutral colours- and how to use them in your home. Enjoy wine and nibbles whilst taking the opportunity to browse the shop and receive 15% discount on the night.
Tickets £25 per person (limited spaces available)
Booking number 020 8682 2522

Annie In The Attic
71a Balham High Road, London. SW12 9AP
Annie In the Attic Vintage Boutique is the best thing to have reached Balham, and a long time over due, a new vintage boutique with a difference. The mother and daughter duo have brought a slice of East End retro chic and pure indulgence to South London. The boutique is stocked to the rafters with 60s, 70s and 80s items, with some rare finds.

What I loved most about this shop is their customer friendly prices typically vintage clothing prices forces you to raise and eyebrow. You will find investment pieces from vintage icons such as Biba and early Manolo Blahnik. In the newly opened space you will find day dresses and separates alongside amazing accessories. With vintage weddings becoming a popular affair Annie In the Attic have a good range of vintage wedding dresses, plus a range of veils, headdresses and other accessories. Men are not excluded at the Attic there are a range of pieces to tempt. Vintage furniture is also available to purchase so a little something for everyone. Look no further for a shop with a living room feel with the hottest vintage trends.



Events 13th April 2012- Find Annie In The Attic: at The Vintage Event: The Balham Bowls Club. Free Entry 12-6pm
Annie in the Attic will have a stall at the Vintage Event at the Balham Bowls Club. This Monthly Vintage Fashion and Lifestyle Fair provides you with the best selection of best trend led Vintage Fashion Accessories and Homeware.
The Balham Bowls Club, 7-9 Ramsden Road, Balham, London, SW12 8QX
Every second Sunday of the Month.

Lavish Habit
75 Bedford Hill, Balham, London, SW12 9HA
I have regularly driven passed this coffee shop  with the intention of popping in to what seemed to be an interesting coffee shop/ clothing boutique in Balham and hugely popular with mums. So finally I got my opportunity, On what seemed to be a fairly quiet trading period you were able to browse the shop freely. Although the crafted cakes and coffee was extremely tempting, I was simply visiting for the retail experience. To my surprise not only did Lavish Habit stock interesting clothing brands such as Eucalyptus, Fever and Yuki they also produce and sell up-cycled furniture which customers are able to sit on and purchase after slurping on a coffee. I was keen to talk to the owner Nicola, who informed me of their relative new arrival to Bedford hill and their growing popularity with not only locals but bloggers such as myself. This family business has brought a unique slant to coffee culture in Balham.

Events at Lavish Habit
Easter Egg Cosy Workshop
30th March 4-7pm
Make Easter egg cosies choose from different designs, pick and mix fabrics, buttons and trims. Cost £15 includes all materials, tutor and lavish cakes and coffee. Bookings at Lavish Habit 020 8355 1270 or http://www.craftypint.co.uk/