"A light hearted and humorous account of 'ma vie' as a brocanteuse, experiences from my life in France and my love of antiques, all things vintage, period interiors and 'les trucs' (eclectic thingamybobs)"

Friday 6 March 2015

Inspiration from across 'La Manche'

If you are a reader of my blog you will know that I have a long held dream to open a coffee shop/brocante in my home town of Cognac alongside my chef husband, Spike. So whenever I get the chance I try to find other businesses of a like mind.  

Unfortunately this does entail lounging around in tea rooms, coffee shops and cafés where I am obliged to sample many a cake (all in the name of research you understand).

During my recent trip to England I was especially keen to visit a particular coffee/vintage shop based in Eastbourne that I had read about online.  

The coffee shop in question is called Jasper Wood and along with my good friend, Sally, we set off with the arduous task of checking it out.


The lovely eclectic interior was instantly welcoming and it wasn't long before we had installed ourselves on a comfy sofa.


All around there were interesting things to look at and to buy ranging from hand-made jewellery and vintage clothes to antique bric-a-brac.


I particularly loved our black lacquered chinoiserie table as I thought it would be just the thing for my office (plans of an opulent room of my own are ongoing) but judging by Sally's reaction I think it is perhaps of an acquired taste!  And yes, to my shame, the deluxe hot chocolate complete with floating marshmallows and a tower of squirty cream was mine!


I was impressed that the presentation of the objects for sale illustrated beautifully how striking they could look in a domestic setting - oops I seem to be punning again, I honestly don't even know when I'm doing it now!  


I was having such a lovely time I didn't even think to ask how much the stunning gramophone was... looking at it again I really wish I had!  There were lots of little touches that being a fan of all things vintage I really appreciated such as the little silver plated salt and pepper pots that were brought to our table when we ordered lunch (a yummy panini by the way) and the vintage crockery for when we had tea and lemon drizzle cake (once again I had eaten the cake before I remembered to photograph it... must try harder!)

All in all I can't think of a better place to while (or wile... there seems to be something of a debate about that) away a few hours and catch up with an old friend (sorry Sally you know what I mean)... except perhaps the 'Museum of Shops and Social History' that is handily situated next door - but that's most definitely a story for another day!
   

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