From wicker palaces to boho boudoirs, L’Oréal Blackett dreams Pinterest dreams…
Somewhere in 2018 everyone got a little obsessed with interiors.
Gone is the classic feature wall and baroque wallpaper (that’s a little too 60 minute makeover…) and in its place are expensive line prints, macramé wall hangings and an excessive amount of plants. These days there’s a quiet pressure for homes to be Pinterest worthy.
So what’s a regular ol' Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen to do? In Manchester there’s a multitude of interior and lifestyle stores to help add a unique feel to homes across the city and beyond.
MOTH
154, Burton Road, Didsbury
If Kinfolk magazine is much of a lifestyle than just a magazine to you, then you’ll want to shop at Moth. Founder and interior designer Hazel has a well-trained eye. For close to a decade the West Didsbury boutique stands a wicker-lover’s paradise. Described as a ‘shrine to the understated and the beautiful,’ Moth favours architecturally intriguing furniture and soft furnishings in a mixture of luxe textures. ‘Our philosophy is to select objects that are simple, pared down and effortless for everyday living. We stock a collection of European brands and designers set in a relaxed and personal store,’ says Hazel. You’ll seldom find a West Didsbury home not infested with Moth.
OKLAHOMA
74-76 High Street, Manchester, M4 1ES
While some fashion ‘zines favour minimalism and a colour palette of greys, Northern Quarter institution Oklahoma couldn’t be far from the opposite. On High Street, you’re met by high-octane colour, a shrine to Frieda Kahlo and most likely a neon flamingo or two. Packed to the rafters with homeware, gifts, jewellery and more Oklahoma’s quirky-kitsch products are a joy to own. Inject some colour into your home and wake up with a smile on your face.
LEVENSHULME ANTIQUES MARKET
965 Stockport Road, Levenshulme, M19 3NP
Based in the Victorian Old Town Hall and its out buildings, the Levenshulme Antiques Market is a multi-layered antique superstore. During one leisurely afternoon, you could leave with a new fireplace, a stained glass window or haggle a vendor out of a some-teenth century period wardrobe. It’s certainly a ‘hypermarket’ and the opportunities to discover something valuable are vast (so vast the stalls spill out into the carpark). What’s more, Trove – Levenshulme’s popular café – is a stroll over the road.
FORM
6 Bradley Street, Manchester.M1 1EH
Form is finely formed. It opened last year on Bradley Street, and is more than deserving of the title as a ‘Manchester hidden gem’ - and once found, oh my. Unassuming from the outside, Form sits beneath a breathtaking atrium glass ceiling where the light floods in like a greenhouse. It’s an architecturally striking Grade II listed building - one of the city centre’s only surviving examples of one-up one-down houses. Buy beautifully formed things from from printed crockery, potted hanging plants, soy candles, notebooks, jewellery and natural soap.
BOSS FURNITURE
325 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4LQ
Pedestrians jetting up and down Deansgate may have spotted a quirky multi-coloured leather Chesterfield in the Boss Furniture shop window. It was befitting of a man-about-town with a city-centre bachelor pad who may wear crocodile wing tips. The colourful couch is sold now but Boss still sells a fantastic collection of unique, stylish and bespoke furniture. The family-run business is favoured by the likes of Gemma Atkinson, Jorgie Porter and more.
INSITU
252 Chester Road, Manchester, M15 4EX
Specialising in reclaimed timber flooring, doors, cast iron radiators, stained glass and ‘anything that can be saved from demolition’, Insitu Architectural Salvage will excite any budding up-cycler. Insitu lives within a handsome three-storey Victorian pub based on the outskirts of Castlefield. Once predominantly a reclaimed door and fireplace seller, it also hoards quirky vintage tid-bits and sometimes taxidermy foxes. After more than 30 years on Chester Road, Insitu is currently undergoing restoration.
OBJECT
519 Barlow Moor Road, Manchester M21 8AQ
This store has been the object of our affection for a while now. Following their successful online store, the homeware and clothing boutique was eagerly embraced by Chorlton dwellers when it opened back in 2016. Owners Alex and Rachael Otterwell have curated a homeware collection inspired by their Scandinavian and American adventures (yes, they have an enviable Instagram account) and their own home is just waiting to be photographed by Elle magazine. Stop by on Barlow Moor Road for ceramic vases, Scandi candles, textiles, wall art and much more.
TOUCHED INTERIORS
26 Blackfriars Street, Manchester, M3 5JS
Have you watched the 50 Shades of Grey film? (You have, admit it). Well, Touched Interiors, a Manchester based luxury interior showroom, outfitted the playboy apartment of the lead character, billionaire Christian Grey. Even if your home hasn’t seen similar action to the movie’s leading man, Touched Interiors has a wealth of luxury furniture to choose from. The showroom on Blackfriars Street is an opulent experience in itself and these bespoke furnishings do come with a hefty price tag. Some speciality sofas come close to £20,000 mark. You may need Christian Grey's salary…
IDAHO
56 Greenwood Street, Altrincham, WA14 1RZ
Idaho says it specialises in ‘all things lovely jubbly’ – and we’d be inclined to agree. Based in Altrincham, opposite the award winning Altrincham market, IDAHO ‘celebrates products that bring a little bit of colour and originality to our customers homes, offices and wardrobes’. From crockery to celebration cards, the team of makers hand select their products ‘based on their quality and their unique style’.
ROSE AND GREY
31 Atlantic Street, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 5FA
If there’s any store that could convince us to buy a loud,velvet burnt orange sofa, it’d be Rose and Grey. Founded by Guy and Lyndsey Goodger, they are catering for both modern and vintage living from their stunning Altrincham showroom - it's a beautifully curated showstopper. Whether your interior style is comfy, mid-century vintage, Nordic or classic, you'll find everything you need via their extensive online store.
