Fantastic to catch up with lovely homeowner friend Carrie Brixey at Design Vintage – an excellent home accessories store and café, located in a stunning converted barn in the heart of rural West Sussex.
Having discovered that Design Vintage was actually right on my doorstep, my first drop-in was on two wheels while out road cycling around the gorgeous South Downs on a rather blustery day.
The store, which is in the village of West Stoke, close to the Kingley Vale Nature Reserve, is in an idyllic spot – the kind of place you instantly unwind and escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
After asking the local postie for directions, I spotted the Design Vintage sign (you need to keep your eyes peeled for it!) and, in lycra-clad manner, arrived to be greeted by the super, friendly manager, Lisa Brewster.
Well, that was just the first of many trips to Design Vintage’s rural branch – their first shop, owned by Lisa Brass, is based in Brighton, East Sussex.
With a superb range of stylish furniture and gorgeous homewares from lamps to rugs, cushions to one-off vintage finds, Design Vintage is perfect for combining a spot of retail therapy with a good ole natter.
Turns out that Carrie (I featured her charming cottage a little while ago in Country Homes & Interiors), is also a Design Vintage fan – and it’s easy to understand why. They’ve really got it right here from the thoughtfully-curated stock to the background music – not to mention the delicious chocolate cake – it definitely is a ‘go-to’ destination. If you haven’t already visited, I’d recommend a trip.
If you’d love your own home to be featured in one of the national magazines I write for, drop me a line at mail@janetmcmeekin.co.uk or call 01243 792379.