I love Northcote Road Market for it's diversity, it's food and it's casual atmosphere. I was a…read morelocal to SW11 a few years back and my boyfriend and I used to visit the market for fresh bread or homemade taramasalata, whatever was on offer on any given weekend. There are a number of different stalls from antiques and and odds n ends to all sorts freshly baked and prepared food. There is a huge selection of Italian bread, dips, cakes and biscuits. The market is not that big but it's the perfect size in my opinion. I hate markets that are too huge, you can never decide what to buy but Northcote Road Market is small but perfectly formed offering you everything you need for your Sunday lunch to something nice to put on the mantelpiece at home.

I think there is a real diversity to Northcote Road! Some cute novelty shops, and high street…read morenames, mixed with the weekend Market Traders that offer special baked goods, clothing products, handmade goods, household antiques and even a vintage bicycle stall that fixes your bike if you roll up! It is neatly laid out, and a good people watching area while you sip a cuppa' or if you venture back to the common to walk your dog, or catch some sun. Situated 'between the commons' so you get the best of both worlds with Clapham and Wandsworth Common lifestyle(s) and the closest station is Clapham Junction. The only down side is not all the traders are there from week to week so best to check out this market on a sunny day, or Saturdays when its more active. I did stumble across a Facebook page recently, which showcased the market traders and their current products/services. This should help those who are thinking about visiting. http://www.facebook.com/NorthcoteRoadMarket

Super super cute store. Very small, but so warm and cozy. The cinnamon roll was one of the best…read moreI've ever had. Not thick and gooey like American ones can be. I'd love to come back!

A small, but lovely place in Putney. The coffee is amazing and the pies, buns and pastries are…read moreabsolutely scrumptious... But this is not the reason I love Blåbär to bits. The reason why I will keep coming here over and over is that the coffee they serve comes from Johan &Nyström, a roastery from the heart of Stockholm. I sincerely believe that J&N's coffee is consistently the best world-wide. It could be my bias though, having drunk it for six years, day in, day out and never getting tired of it. Blåbär does not disappoint in terms of preparation and this coffee tastes as good here as it does at Mariatorget in Stockholm. The atmosphere is relaxed and it's bit too loud. Oh, and they ban laptops on weekends. In exchange they offer brunch...

Always a shop with eye-catching displays, this shop is located very near to Raynes Park station…read more Chock-full of lights (ceiling fixtures, table lamps etc.), mirrors and decorative objects for the home, there are also a multitude of cute cupboards and tables for your home. Not enormous pieces, but the ones that really make a place home - such as nests of tables, bathroom units etc. Prices seem fairly competitive with stores in Wimbledon/Kingston but without the hassle of having to find parking. The aftercare service is also good; the lady who runs it is very helpful and friendly and will offer advice if you like.

From the owner: We specialize in the following:…read more - Painted and restored antique and vintage furniture that we do in-house. - Making made to measure hookboards - Offer a bespoke customer furniture painting service - Fabricate shelving, shoe rack, mirrors and chalkboards all from reclaimed floorboards. - Up-cycle mirrors, small boxes, number plates, old windows, tennis raquets, cricket bats, golf clubs... - Increasingly focus on Made in the UK We also have a plethora of decorative accessories, which pull together the look and provide the finishing touches. There are clocks, baskets, picture frames, candle holders, jewellery boxes and stands, door wedges/stops and doormats, hooks and door knobs. There's also a range of table accessories such as coasters, placemats, napkins, napkin rings and holders. And, it doesn't stop there, some of our best selling items are not even mentioned here, such as anything with a heart, signs with heartfelt or amusing messages, vintage brooches and hand-made semi-precious jewellery designed and hand made by the owner herself.

For the foodies amongst you, nope, this isn't the famous restaurant that Gordon Ramsay used to cook…read moreat. It's an art shop in Wimbledon which sells prints as well as a framing service. They do have an interesting selection of artwork, ranging from dramatic landscapes to more modern items. They do run a good framing service with a prices to suit all pockets. Worth a browse if you're in the market for some new home decor

I love Max and Melia! It always feels like I'm stepping into a magical world. Full of one off…read morevintage pieces, quirky homewares and new fun items for men and women. I always find the best and unique gifts for my family and friends here! It's worth popping into the shop just near Oval Station.

From the owner: Max and Melia is a Home Accessories and Gift store based in Oval on Clapham Road…read more It is a family affair, started by mother Jeanne and her daughter Maxine in November 2012. Our shop sells an interesting mix of vintage and new items for the home and as gifts for friends and family. We source our new items from a variety of suppliers; Ethical, UK based manufactures, as well as supporting emerging new talents as much as possible. Alongside these new items, we have sourced a unique range of vintage pieces from the UK and Europe, which we have restored ourselves enabling these "pre-loved" pieces to find new homes.

I'm a huge fan of this shop! It's the most remarkable boutique for imported Indian decorative…read moreaccents... but stop right there, because I know your brain just conjured up horrific images of grand swaths of maroon fabric, brassy saffron throw pillows covered in sequins, and garishly ornate wood carvings of the Hindu elephant god, Ganesh. This shop couldn't be further from every tawdry cliché you've ever associated with Indian décor... for starters, when you first walk in, you find yourself gently gripped by the earthy colour palette; there's a very organic feel to it all... lots of browns, mossy greens, punctuated by the occasional shiny flash of colour. Nothing's too unnatural... and the vibe is surprisingly soothing. The woman who runs this shop, Tracy, has a to-die-for eye. She founded Opium after a trip to India left her captivated by the country's furniture and other flourishes... but unlike some who've tried to make a go of importing goods from Asia (I've known at least two who have failed) Tracy seems to have a sixth sense as to what pieces will still hold their magic once they touch down on another continent. There's something very classic, artistic, and timelessly appealing about the sculptures, furniture, doorknobs, pictures, and myriad of other décor to be found here; the grander statement pieces look beautifully authentic - not like they were manufactured en mass for sucker-tourists to cart away. Lots of antiques... and plenty of designs that would look right in place in a more traditional home - not just one with an "Asian" theme going on. If you have any interest in unusual and eclectic décor, I highly suggest you make the trip here. There's also a section of Tracy's own handcrafted jewelry... fabulously unique pieces made from *beautiful* stones (again! This woman's eye!) And if all that weren't enough.... Tracy and the staff she hires are possibly the most amiable, gracious, and genuinely winsome people I've ever encountered in one shop. They're just that *very* rare mix of vivacious and warm, yet *cool*, sort of people that you can't help but think, "wow... um, can we be friends?!"

Gift Remedies is a very lovely shop to go and browse, especially if you have awkward relatives to…read morebuy for. Not outrageously priced, far from it, there are all kinds of interesting and unusual items for sale - even for little ones. Jewellery, gift items for the home, seasonal decorations, stocking fillers, kitsch ... a real treasure trove. There is also a good display of cards and gift-wrap, and if you like they will even wrap your items for you.