Decorum

I didn't expect to be blogging about 67 Westow Hill again so soon. I loved Salt & Pickle, that address's previous occupant, and like many of you I'm sure, was saddened to see it go. But it's great to see a new business, and such a stylish one, finally open in its place. As a business, Decorum isn't actually so new. It was started 5 or 6 years ago by Christina Karoulla, and initially she was selling products at house parties. She opened her first premises in Shoreditch Boxpark as a one week pop-up, with her nephew, Stav Agapiou, who has gone on to become her business partner. After the pop-up ended, they had to join a waiting list, before eventually securing one of the containers on a three month rolling contract basis. The site is still going strong, but Christina was keen to also have a proper shop, and had long aspired to finding one in Crystal Palace, which would be conveniently close to her home in Bromley. She was first tipped off about the former Barclays building along the road, but as lovely a space as it was, it didn't really work for her. After visiting, she spotted the To Let board outside No.67 by chance, and contacted the landlord immediately.
Christina's new shop was up and running late last year, and she was immediately taken with the warm reception she received, not just from customers, but also from fellow traders. The well known Crystal Palace community spirit now brings the Triangle's traders together for regular meetings about how to draw people to the area. The SE19 late night shopping evenings proved to be a successful initiative, and now discussions are under way about how to participate in the Overground Festival this coming summer.
The shop itself is done out in a dramatic and enveloping dark grey, against which the merchandise shines. A deep stained pine floor continues up the wall at the end, giving a lovely textured backdrop to a range of frames and mirrors, while off-cuts of the floor were artfully pieced together to form the front of the cash desk. The products are of a very specific style; warm industrial meets Scandinavian, thereby deflecting any suggestion that this is just another homewares shop, of which there are several on the Triangle. But therein lies the point; not only does Christina's range differ from that of other local shops, but the number, and diversity of homewares stores in the area, collectively draw people to the area, in the way a single store wouldn't. In a former career, Christina had been an interior designer, but has found owning a retail business much more satisfying, in that she can create the whole look and philosophy of the business to reflect her vision, rather than, as a designer, having to cater to a multiplicity of tastes of different clients. Products range from furniture and lighting down to accessories, and even a small line of foods. From locally produced bamboo toothbrushes, to stylish Danish designs and more mass produced items. About 40% is made in the UK, and prices are pretty affordable.
And while you're browsing this rich, dark interior, you can also sit and have a coffee while you absorb it all. It all makes for a pleasant atmosphere, and another good reason to visit the Triangle.

Christina Karoulla

Decorum

67 Westow Hill

www.decorum-shop.co.uk

Coconut Trading

Last month, Perry Ukueku could scarcely have been further away from the Triangle. He was on a buying trip in Southeast Asia, sourcing decorative treasures for his long established shop, Coconut Trading. You may have noticed that the shop has also recently gone on a little trip itself, but not far, just to new premises which opened last year directly opposite the old shop on Church Road. He started trading there way back in 2000, long preceding most of the midcentury/vintage shops along the street, supplying a wide range of decorative items from Southeast Asia and Africa, whose timeless appeal has clearly endured.
Buddhas and beads, carvings and lighting, furnishings and fabric, there's a wealth of choice. It was on a similar far flung trip nearly 20 years ago that the idea for the shop first came about.
In a previous incarnation, Perry had trained as a psychotherapist. He was involved with a charity, managing a team of therapists, working with local authorities. As is typical of any career path, the more he was promoted, the less time he spent doing what he trained to do. Growing increasingly frustrated, he eventually packed it all in and went travelling around the world. En route he picked up so many items to take home, he ended up with a container load, and a plan to open a shop. On returning he knew that any shop would have to be close by. His previous job had involved a commute from West Norwood to Hampstead, which he was determined to avoid. In those days, Crystal Palace, which was one of Perry's preferred locations, had its own town centre manager, who let him know about the unit on Church Road which was to become his premises for the next 17 years. By his own admission, he went into retail quite naively, but he was clear that he wanted to source things directly, rather than buying from UK wholesalers, so as to ensure he wasn't just  stocking the same old things as every other shop. It also enables him to develop relationships with the artisans and cooperatives he buys from. As far as possible, items are made from natural, and sustainable materials. A certain amount of patience is required however, as it takes on average 3 months to get his shipment back to Crystal Palace.
Back on the Triangle, it is no surprise to discover that among Perry's favourite places to eat out, are restaurants drawing on the same parts of the world as his stock: Urban Orient, Yak & Yeti, and Thai Crystal. Although his biggest weakness is for the chocolates at Blowing Dandelion.
So if you fancy a trip to somewhere exotic, but can only fit in 20 minutes on a damp Thursday morning, pay a visit to No.68 Church Road, it feels a world away from SE19.

A little shrine resides in the corner behind the counter.

Downstairs you will find larger pieces of furniture and lighting, both traditional and contemporary, set around a magnificent bejewelled recline buddha.

68 Church Road

020 8771 0700