Just up the road from where we live is a little village-y part of London called Sundridge Park. The houses are large, old and beautiful and along the main road lie a collection of independent shops, cafes and neighbourhood conveniences. It’s where I used to go for Pilates before my teacher moved away and is also where one of our favourite local cafes can be found. New to the area is luxury homeware and lifestyle boutique Or & Wonder Interiors and I finally paid a visit to see what they had in store.
Having run my own small business for nearly 8 years, supporting other independent business owners is so important to me. It’s incredibly tough to make any business work, least of all in retail with bricks and mortar premises. As soon as I walked in though, I got the impression Or & Wonder will do just fine.
Open a little over a month, the beautiful shop is run by local resident Lucinda. We chatted about how she decided what to stock in the shop. for which her inspiration is mainly her own taste. For me it represented the perfect mix of more modern designs from well-known brands (think Abigal Ahern, Jonathan Adler and Vita Copenhagen), married up with bespoke artisan creations.
Our closest shopping area is Bromley which is really convenient in terms of high street brands, we can’t complain. But in the search for something special and unique, it’s definitely lacking. There is always space for smaller businesses, for whom buying, displaying and selling is a passion across the board.
I’m excited such a stylish and inspirational new shop has turned up on our doorstep. Somewhere I can stroll to for a special gift or something especially pretty for our home, followed by a drink at the cafe next door. When so much of London is disappearing into either chain central or industrial hipster copycat chic, how refreshing to find somewhere that isn’t trying to copy the next big trend.
So if you find yourself in the area please do visit Or & Wonder and perhaps knock on my door too! Don’t forget to give Lucinda’s business a follow over on Instagram.
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What pretty stock! And you are exactly right. Supporting local, independent business is really important. #homeetc
Author
Totally, especially when it feels so many independents struggle to keep open these days X
Oooh it looks like a treasure trove! Gorgeous xx #homeetc
Author
I have a feeling I’ll be spending lots of extra pennies there 😉 Xx
Ohmygoodness!! Good job that’s not on my doorstep Lins!!! It’s like an Aladdin’s Cave of loveliness isn’t it? How fabulous. I love that kind of shop — it’s the sort that I’d be spending all my wages in, given half the chance!!! Fantastic find! xx #HomeEtc
Author
I know right? There hasn’t really been anything terribly exciting around here so it’s both wonderful and dangerous that it’s there! Xx
What a lovely place – and wow – I feel a visit is needed (without my purse obvs!) Thanks for hosting #HomeEtc X
Author
Definitely…I have to try and pretend it’s not just down the road from me 😉 X
Just paid a visit to this little treasure trove-love love love it!!!
Author
Ahh I’m so glad, it’s a beautiful place isn’t it? I must go back! X