Fresh from her trip to the soulfully creative Kent seaside town, Rosalind Sack shares her tips for the best homes and antiques stores in Margate
OWNERS BEE FRIEDMANN AND AMY FLEURIOT-READE OUTSIDE ARTISANS & ADVENTURERS IN MARGATE
Artisans & Adventurers
I first discovered this brand on Trouva, so I was excited to visit their gorgeous bricks and mortar store in Margate (their flagship store is on Columbia Road Flower Market in East London). Owners Bee Friedmann and Amy Fleuriot-Reade have travelled extensively across Africa, India and Morocco to discover and work with artisans and small brands producing the very best ethically and sustainably-produced homeware, jewellery, textiles and pet accessories. Every item in this colour-drenched store tells a very special story and I particularly love their Ghanaian hand-carved crocodiles and sun masks.
34 King Street, CT9 1DA (Open Wednesdays – Sundays, other days by appointment)
GET A DOSE OF BOTH RETAIL AND PLANT THERAPY AT MARMAR IN MARGATE
MarMar
This store come café in Cliftonville is a green-fingered dream, selling an enormous and ever-changing selection of plants, including a selection of rare and colourful species. Explore beyond the foliage and you’ll also discover a range of modern pots, vases and baskets, as well as other homeware and gifts. Then settle down amidst the jungle with a piping hot coffee and a pastry. Bliss.
80 Northdown Road, CT9 2RE
Scott’s Furniture Mart
This antiques and vintage emporium is vast, so prepare to spend some time rifling through its cluttered rooms and burgeoning shelves for a hidden treasure or restoration project. Architectural salvage and furniture, as well as all manner of household items and curiousities can be found here, and they also offer deliveries across the South East, as well as Birmingham, Bristol and Oxford. Also on site is an upholsterer making, among other things, bespoke headboards, and Junk Deluxe, which specialises in 1930s-1980s pieces.
The Old Ice Works, Bath Place, CT9 2BN
(LEFT) ORIGINAL WORKS AND PRINTS BY LOCAL ARTIST MARGO McDAID, AKA MARGO IN MARGATE, ON SALE AT THE TURNER CONTEMPORARY SHOP IN MARGATE; (RIGHT) PARAPHERNALIA’S CAREFULLY-CURATED TREASURES SPILLING OUT ONTO THE PAVEMENTS OF MARGATE’S OLD TOWN
Turner Contemporary Shop
Not only is a wander around the world-class exhibitions inside this inspiring (and free) David Chipperfield-designed gallery a must when visiting Margate, the Turner Contemporary shop is not to be missed either. Championing and selling work by local artists, here you can find Tracey Emin china, Margo in Margate paintings, Kavel Rafferty collages and Charlie Russell ceramics, as well as homeware, gifts and books from further afield.
Rendezvous, CT9 1HG
Paraphernalia
This lovely antique and vintage store in the heart of Margate old town owned by Andrew Davidson is positively bursting with a carefully-curated selection of treasures; including a wonderful array of Japanese Kokeshi wooden dolls, which immediately caught my eye. Piled high and spilling onto the pavement, are beautiful pieces of antique furniture, glassware, textiles, as well as large-scale vintage maps and cheerful striped vintage deckchairs.
8 King Street, CT9 1DA (open Friday – Sunday, other days by appointment)
HAECKELS HOUSE IN MARGATE, HOME TO THE HAECKELS STORE AND CHIC TREATMENT ROOMS WITH OBLIGATORY SEA VIEWS
Haeckels
Not strictly a homeware store as such, but this brand is so intrinsically entwined with Margate that it had to make it onto the list. Founded in 2012 by volunteer beach warden and coastal enthusiast Dom Bridges, Haeckels produces natural skin and hair care, and wild fragrances that showcase the natural ingredients from the surrounding coast. I particularly love their deliciously scented candles and diffusers. The three-floored Haeckels House, as they dub the store, also houses treatments rooms and an intriguing ‘seaweed bathroom’ with views across the waves.
18 Cliff Terrace, CT9 1RU
The Lightkeeper
I must admit to not having made it past the front door of this store, much to my consternation. Do check out Margate’s store opening times carefully as they’re not always what you would expect! The reason I’m disappointed not to have yet ventured inside The Lightkeeper is that I am reliably informed that this shop is the place to go for unusual mid-century lighting, of which I am a fan. Think bakelite, formica and enamel in a sea of ice cream shades and you get the picture. Next time.
8 Broad Street, CT9 1EW
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