• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Interiors Addict

Heart Your Home

@interiorsaddict on Instagram   @interiorsaddict on Facebook   @interiorsaddict on Pinterest  
Subscribe
  • Job Board
  • About
  • Before & Afters
  • RENO ADDICT
  • Kitchens
  • Bathrooms
  • Kids Rooms
  • Bedrooms
  • Living Room
  • Shopping
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipes
  • Parenting
  • Travel
Interiors Addict
  • Job Board
  • About
    • Our Story

      Australiaโ€™s largest interior design, styling and renovation blog for the everyday Aussie. By former journalist and magazine editor Jen Bishop, the original interiors addict!
      READ MORE

      Weโ€™re big on Instagram!
      @interiorsaddict

      • About
      • Contact Interiors Addict
      • Work with Interiors Addict
      • Advertise / Find a job in Interiors
      • Press
      • Get Your Free Ebook

        This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • By Room
    • Browse by Room

      Where you can search for all our posts about a specific room. Only interested in kitchens and bathrooms? We got you!

      • Kitchens
      • Bathrooms
      • Kids Rooms
      • Bedrooms
      • Living Room
      • Home Office
      • Dining
      • Laundry
      • Outdoor & Exteriors
      • Renting
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • Before & Afters
    • Before & Afters

      Who doesnโ€™t LOVE a good before & after? If you want to be inspired by the whole reno process, and not just the shiny photos at the end, this is the place for you!

      View Articles

      • Before & Afters
      • Jen’s reno
      • Real Renos
      • RENO ADDICT
    • AFTER lounge room1980’s arch inspires amazing apartment before and after
    • AFTER lounge80’s beach shack now an eclectic, retro-inspired holiday home
  • Reno Addict
    • RENO ADDICT

      Looking for reno inspo? Find it all here, from other peopleโ€™s projects to the latest trends, tools and products, whether youโ€™re DIY-ing or employing trades.

      View articles

      • Reno Products
      • The Block
      • DIY
      • Reno Trends
      • Before & Afters
      • Real Renos
    • AFTER lounge room1980’s arch inspires amazing apartment before and after
    • Lounge room90’s era abode now bold and fun holiday home
  • Shopping
    • Shopping

      Want to know where to buy the latest furniture, homewares, rugs, art and more? Weโ€™re always sharing our latest finds and telling you where you can buy them.

      View Articles

      • Furniture
      • Homewares
      • Art
      • Smart Home
      • Appliances
      • Reno Products
    • Greg Natale accessoriesGreg Natale debuts new lifestyle collection at Maison&Objet Paris
    • Joan BlondNew Aussie original art collection inspired by our endless summer
  • Inspiration
    • Inspiration

      While Jenโ€™s a legitimate interiors addict, sheโ€™s no design professional, so she calls on an army of the countryโ€™s best to share their expertise with you. Be inspired by their stories too!

      View Articles

      • Decorating 101
      • Interviews
      • Expert Tips
      • Before & Afters
      • House Tours
      • Designers
      • Styling
      • Renovating
      • Real Renos
      • Covet my coffee table
    • Lounge room90’s era abode now bold and fun holiday home
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle

      Weโ€™re mostly about the home but Jen also likes to share other things she thinks youโ€™ll love, like food and travel.

      • Recipes
      • Travel
      • Parenting
    • 0Q7A5539Foodie Friday: Confit salmon with preserved lemon & pomegranate
    • Burrawang HouseNew Hamptons style luxury retreat in the NSW Southern Highlands
  • Jobs
    • Advertise on our job board
    • Job Board FAQs for advertisers

Shop love: some retail moments are worth the spend

February 12, 2020 Leave a Comment

FacebookPinEmailTweet

By Bianca Tzatzagos

Nostalgic it may be, but it often feels like the era of legendary bricks and mortar retail is behind us. It may have even been behind us before I was born. There are tonnes of reason for this, and obviously online shopping is a fundamental one. But I can remember a handful of truly legendary Sydney shopping experiences that have stood out for me in my lifetime, and Iโ€™m not so old.

The Lost + Found Department in Hunters Hill, Sydney

One that sticks in my mind was in 2009, the first time I entered Sibella Courtโ€™s The Society Inc in Paddington, a curious haberdasher-collector-merchant that felt old and new, exciting and authentic all at once. I recall buying tiny dried starfish as Christmas ornaments and spools of antique ribbon plucked straight out of the stylistโ€™s own curated cabinet of curiosities. Sibella lived upstairs at the time, and yet nothing in the building felt off-limits to visitors.

The new Society Inc. in St Peters, Sydney.

About the same time (2010 or so) began Suzie Andersonโ€™s weekend shopping events at her Bowral estate, Hopewood House, a beautiful destination of French goodies in a chateau-like setting, replete with potting shed, dining hall and magnificent gardens.

Pic via Suzie Anderson Home

I also recall much earlier visits in the 1980s to the Strand Arcadeโ€™s โ€œMartinvaleโ€ gift store where Mum bought me the teeniest blown-glass punch bowl for my future dollโ€™s house. I still have it, and now also the dollโ€™s house in which it resides.

The common thread throughout all these memorable boutiques? The shopkeepers were of singular vision, seemingly tireless and uniquely driven. Making money was never the primary objective โ€“ there was always a generosity of spirit that shone through. Even if you didnโ€™t buy anything (and I very often didnโ€™t), you still got something out of a visit. The sense of a legacy being created was palpable.

When I was first given the biography of Chuck Williams, the founder of Californian behemoth Williams Sonoma, it read to me like a fairy tale. I was enchanted by the story of this single individual who had lived through the Depression and travelled to Europe for the first time in 1950s, by then in his late 30s. A builder by trade and foodie by passion, he came back from his trip, bought a hardware shop in Sonoma, added a few housewares to it โ€“ and plenty of characteristic flair. โ€œHe laid a black-and-white floor, painted the walls butter yellow, and installed his own shelving, which he painted a glossy bright white.โ€

The Society Inc.

It didnโ€™t take long for the shopโ€™s hardware inventory to be overtaken by Chuckโ€™s natural inclination for kitchen items. This included โ€œโ€ฆa set of black-and-white cups and saucers from Sweden. Another was oyster baskets made of dark willow, which Chuck had seen used for carrying and displaying shellfish in the Parisian markets.โ€ Later in Merchant of Sonoma, Chuck explains his buying philosophy: โ€œI have never bought anything with the idea that I think somebody else is going to like it. I buy because it appeals to me, and when others feel the same way, thatโ€™s good. Those are the kind of people I want for my customers.โ€

What a marvellously ballsy approach to retail. It assumes one important idea: that you know instinctively what you love and let intuition rule your decisions. It means finetuning your eye to recognise quality and investing in your own integrity at all costs. Itโ€™s risky, brazen and certainly no guarantee of business success.

Before Instagram guided everyoneโ€™s aesthetic opinions, I would look to the fervent words of local shopping doyennes and writers such as Marion von Adlerstein, Maggie Alderson and Melissa Penfold. They helped to glorify the art of retail for me and Iโ€™ve been chasing that buzz ever since.

Not that Iโ€™m a shopaholic. Not even close. I could never stomach anything but relatively careful spending within pretty practical limits. I just love to collect retail experiences, and prior to camera phones these were captured in my mindโ€™s eye and savoured through any ephemera I could get my hands on. I have collected paper shopping bags for at least 30 years now โ€“ and the quantity belies my rather modest shopping habits. Like any collector, I am particular about which ones make the cut and, in most cases, this packaging has long outlasted the products within.

Same goes for pretty postcards, business cards and catalogues from my most revered stores, sometimes mailed to me and other times nicked from the shopโ€™s counter. Heavenly printed ribbon and embossed gift boxes can be reason alone to elevate a store to legend status.

But back to my original point. The glory days of bricks and mortar are surely behind us now. Perhaps in my lifetime, they were already gone. Thereโ€™s nothing I wouldnโ€™t do to see Mark Foyโ€™s in its day, or even the 1910 version of Selfridges in the UK. That was an era where department stores reigned rather than flailed.

Yet among todayโ€™s confused concept stores and online retailers, some gems are flourishing. The Lost + Found Department in a heritage corner store in Sydneyโ€™s oldest garden suburb is a glorious case in point. Itโ€™s all down to the vision and energy of another legendary shopkeeper, Silvia Noble, who has been savvy enough to use social media and online as a vehicle for pedalling more of the old-world magic that emanates from the shop. Another stellar example is Lily Pond in Geelong, Victoria. I havenโ€™t made to that store in person and yet Iโ€™m thoroughly captivated by its portrayal on Instagram. It alone has inspired me to visit one day and follow along virtually in the meantime.

The Lost + Found Department

What both these current shops share is their ability to effortlessly straddle past and present, digital and physical with boundless enthusiasm and curiosity. All to bring their customers some of the worldโ€™s most wonderful things, presented in the most tantalising ways. It makes me hopeful that some delightful moments of retail nostalgia are still to come.

–โ€”When sheโ€™s not window-shopping, Sydney-based copywriter Bianca Tzatzagos produces engaging stories for like-minded clients.

FacebookPinEmailTweet

Primary Sidebar

Popular This Week

  • Terrazzo and character are in and grey is out, says designer
  • AFTER lounge 80’s beach shack now an eclectic, retro-inspired holiday home
  • Australian kitchen dimensions: standard sizes for every last detail
  • Palette Cam 15 apps to help you build your dream home
  • AFTER kitchen Kitchen reno proves space planning just as important as finishes

Follow us on Instagram

One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavet One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavetimeforthis, turns out former Neighbours actor @gemma_peanut is even more multi-talented than we thought! Will you check out the joyful and colourful reno of her holiday home (and airbnb) @yo_caba_caba?!

Head over to the blog via link in bio to read all about why she went bold and full of pattern in this project, which is a stark contrast to her zen and neutral Northern Beaches abode.

There's also plenty of details about where things are from etc.

"Iโ€™m not an interior designer so I just chose what I liked and followed my gut. Ultimately this home has been an opportunity to explore my alter ego โ€“ it allowed me to do things that I wouldnโ€™t normally do.โ€

๐Ÿ“ท @tanikablair_photography 

#interiorsblog #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #gemmapeanut #wedonthavetimeforthis #parentingpodcast #parentingpodcasts #holidayhousesofinstagram #cabaritabeach #airbnbstyle #airbnbstyling #colourandpattern #wallpapergoals #patternedtiles #featuretiles #poolgoals #sparkjoy #yocabacaba #boldinteriors #funinteriors #colourfulkitchen
Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial family category and they're a special gift. So ends three weeks with @danisteve81 who left her husband and son in the UK (I'm forever grateful they lent her to me!) to come and cheer me up and help me in the most practical ways after I spent Christmas and New Year in hospital. There were tears and I miss her so much already but how amazing to have had all that time together as adults. Such a rare treat and would never have happened without having been through something so challenging. Silver linings and all that. So many other friends have also been incredibly thoughtful and kind. There aren't many times I'd say this without cringing but I am 100% blessed!

I still cannot believe we have been friends since we were 12! 12! Are you still close with your childhood besties?
The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’— Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’—
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ˜
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks since leaving hospital and I'm doing much better than I expected to be at this early stage. A long recovery road ahead but making progress in how much I can move my arm and although I drag myself through some days non-stop yawning, others I can go for a little walk or out for lunch before collapsing on the couch! I can now tie my own hair back and put on a real bra which is very exciting ๐Ÿคฃ Having my bestie here to help us with the boys, drive me places and just be brilliant positive company is the best thing I could have asked for not to mention the many Dinner Ladies vouchers from friends! Thanks for all your kind messages, cards, flowers, gifts and offers of help โค๏ธ
I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping to raise some awareness off the back of my misfortune (and also very lucky escape).

@newsouthwaleshealth have just put out this warning about a rise in serious bacterial infections. iGAS (invasive group A streptococcus) is what caused my necrotising fasciitis and sepsis.

Apparently there's similar happening in VIC too.

It's extremely rare but very serious nonetheless so please have a read and be aware of symptoms. I've linked to the article from a button via my link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #jenbishop #necrotisingfasciitis #groupastrep #groupastreptococcus #sepsis
While new technologies continue to shape the inter While new technologies continue to shape the interior design scene, one that has been getting a fair bit of traction of late isย marble-look porcelain. A cheaper alternative to natural stone, the latest printed porcelain tile technology makes it difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

Founded by husband and wife duo Anton and Rita Bourtsev, Sydneyโ€™s @kaolintiles has a unique offering in this space with over 100 different marble-look tile designs in small and large formats.

More via link in bio now.

#porcelain #porcelaintile #porcelaintiles #largeformattiles #largeformattile #marblelooktiles #bathroomtrends2023 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #realrenovations #goldsink #brasssink #jenbishop #kaolin #kaolintiles #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger
Follow on Instagram
Visit Jen's profile on Pinterest.

Get Your Free Ebook

Ebook cover

Never miss the latest renovating and interiors products, news and inspo again! Sign up for our newsletter and we'll send you the best bits from the blog, direct to your inbox. Plus you'll get our latest eBook: What Made The Biggest Impact in Jen's Own Reno.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Avatar

About Guest Poster

If you have high quality, original, relevant content to share, we might be interested in publishing your guest post on Interiors Addict. Please email [email protected] with your submissions.

More from Shopping

Greg Natale accessories

Greg Natale debuts new lifestyle collection at Maison&Objet Paris

Joan Blond

New Aussie original art collection inspired by our endless summer

Absolutely everything at Freedom is on sale: Our top picks!

Affordable flat-pack furniture brand focusses on Millennials

Win a world first in vacuum & mop combos from iRobot worth…

Pantone Viva Magenta

Pantone Colour of the Year 2023: Viva Magenta

Save 20% on a major reno expense with Kustom Timber’s sale

Interiors Addict Christmas Gift Guide with discounts up to 25%

Ten things under $40 that we’re loving at Typo

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Footer

Interiors Addict

Interiors Addict

  • About
  • Contact
  • Work with Jen
  • Press
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy

Browse

  • RENO ADDICT
  • Jen’s Reno
  • House Tours
  • Real Renos
  • Interviews
  • Styling
  • Designers
  • Bedrooms
  • Covet My Coffee Table
  • Expert Tips
  • The Block
  • Art
  • Furniture
  • Recipes

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RENO ADDICT

Copyright © 2011–2023 Addicted Media Pty Ltd
Website care by ClickWP ยท Log in

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!