Lil' Vintage with a big heart

In the centre of Bournemouth's vintage quarter resides Lisa Watson's unique shop 'Lil' Vintage', a business brimming with bespoke home wares, upcycled furniture and vintage collectibles.

First launched in April, last week Lisa moved to a more spacious premises - just on the opposite side of the road! The newly re-opened shop has a small workshop at the rear so Lisa can be found working on pieces whilst being in the shop. We caught up with her for five minutes to have a nosy...

BV: Oooh, the new shop looks lovely! Tell us about how you got started;

Lisa: "I had always wanted to sell my upcycled furniture so opening the shop had realised a childhood dream. There is no job I would rather do. I chose Lil' Vintage as the shop name as I take a Little piece of vintage and by redesigning and upcycling bring the piece bang up to date. I have never worked in this industry before but have always upcycled and produced items which I have sold or created for friends and family. I even found some 'upcycled' pieces in my parents attic that I had made as a child!

In the past I have worked in finance and have studied interior design. My mum is very artistic and my dad is the sort of person who can turn his hand to anything - I believe that I have inherited these qualities from them which is why this is the only thing I want to do now I have finally taken the plunge! I chose Pokesdown to sell in as I think my shop suits the area - the quirky, vintage feel of Pokesdown is what appeals to me and I couldn't imagine the shop being anywhere else."

BV: So what is Lil' Vintage all about?

Lisa: "Unusual, individual items that give a wow factor to their home. Pieces that can't be found in any other shop in the local area - pieces that are truly 'one offs'. I love finding original furniture that some people may ignore and then imagining how or in what way it can be changed and improved.

The pieces in my shop cover a wide price range starting from £5.00 through to £190 for the larger pieces. The price is dependent on the original cost and the amount of time that I have spent upcycling each piece. I try as best I can to keep my prices as reasonable as possible as this is as much a hobby for me as it is a business."

BV: Where do you get your inspiration?

Lisa: "I get my ideas, as cliché as it sounds, from anywhere and everywhere, I can sometimes wake up in the middle of the night with an idea and will add it to the ever growing list on my phone of future projects.

My inspiration is a desire to improve or change a piece of furniture that could be classed as 'rubbish' or 'dated' to a lot of people - seeing a piece that looked ready for the tip be transformed into an item which is practical, stylish and gives a wow factor is all the inspiration I need.

My favourite thing about what I do is starting a new project - seeing the idea from my mind come into fruition gives me a genuine feeling of contentment."

BV: Talk us through a typical day in the life of Lil' Vintage...

Lisa: "A typical day starts with the school run and walking my pugs. If its not an open day in the shop I will be in my workshop or sourcing new items, auctions, internet, bric-a-brac shops etc - I would then be busy sanding down, painting and creating the pieces.

I always have 3-4 items at various stages of completion so am always busy. If I am in the shop I really enjoy interacting with the customers, being able to discuss and accommodate various customer requests is one of my favourite things about Lil' Vintage."

BV: What advice would you give shoppers new to the world of vintage and upcycled?

Lisa: "My advice to anyone new to shopping in the Vintage/Secondhand/Upcycled area is to buy the pieces you fall in love with. I have learnt myself that leaving a shop to 'think about it' only to come back to find it is sold is upsetting - the pieces you find within this category are generally one offs completely different to shopping on the high street - so if you love it buy it!"

BV: Any goodies in your shop at the moment that might make a great Christmas pressie?

Lisa: "Ideal Christmas presents from Lil' Vintage would be the upcycled candelabras, handbags made from gents ties, or upcycled coasters. But I'd like to think that anything from Lil' Vintage would be great under your Christmas tree!"

BV: ....and what plans do you have for Lil' Vintage's big future?

Lisa: "This year my main objective was to get the shop up and running and to complete the website - 2013 will be the year in which I start taking Lil' Vintage to the vintage fairs and markets. Really trying to get our name out there and being able to sell more items from my website are my hopes for next year."

Visit Lil' Vintage at 871 Christchurch Road, Pokesdown, Boscombe. Opening hours are:

Weds & Thurs: 10.30 - 14.45 / Fri: 10.30 - 13.45 / Sat: 11 - 17.30

You can find Lisa online at www.lilvintage.co.uk or on her facebook page.

Tel: 07983 428477

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Images by NIcki Grainger

Decades of Design

Pokesdown, the bohemian end of Boscombe, is literally teeming with antique shops, second hand quirky treasure troves and retro furniture shops. If you were looking for something ‘a bit different’ for your home, you’d struggle to leave Christchurch Road empty handed.

One such shop ‘Decades of Design’ owned by Amber Cook, 31, sells  furniture, lighting, art and objects of desire from the 1930's to 1980's, and has been a popular Pokesdown destination for over four years.

Ambers list of past celebrity customers include Alex James from Blur, Pete Doherty, Dan Snow, and the vintage design King himself  - Wayne Hemmingway.

Selling antiques and collectibles is clearly in Ambers blood -  her grandmother had an antique shop in Pokesdown many moons ago which her mother then took over and is still running today further down the same high street.

“I have always had an interest in 20th century design and one day I decided to open up a shop. I called it ‘Decades of Design’ because I wanted to stock quality and designer furniture and objects from various decades gone by.”

The range of items you’ll find at 856 Christchurch Road includes; mid-century modern design, kitsch, space-age and Scandinavian, amongst others. Well known designer names include Ercol, G plan, many Danish designers, Peiff, Merrow & Associates  - but it’s always worth popping in as the stock changes on a regular basis.

“My favourite piece I have in store at the moment is a Danish teak daybed I am very tempted to keep it myself but unfortunately I don't have the room! I also have a set of blonde Ercol pebble tables that are always very popular and very stylish”

So is Ambers home as deliciously retro as her shop?

“My home is a bit of everything probably more retro inspired, I’m constantly changing my flat around I often see things I love then take them home then bring it back to the shop to sell”

With Pokesdown resurfacing as the place to be for independent shops and retro living –  Ambers enthusiasm for the local area is also obvious;

“I love working in Pokesdown it has great people, there is a really nice community feel and it’s full of amazing little shops and it also has THE best coffee shop (The Coffee House). There is always something going on in Pokesdown its full of some great characters, there is never a dull moment.”

Ambers quick tips for buying vintage and retro furniture:

•    When buying vintage or retro always check the condition, I myself  have bought something and haven't noticed the damage till I got it home, and it can be costly.
•    If you want to style your home I would recommend having an idea of what you want the finished look to be like, sometimes you can get carried away with buying things and get it home and it doesn't look right together.
•    Mix it up a bit with old and new as I find it can look better to combine the two

‘Decades of Design’ , 856 Christchurch Road, Pokesdown, Bournemouth, BH76DQ (Tel No: 1202 432987)

Images by Freya Eckersley