revelloyd interiors

Last week i drove by a new shop. I previously only knew it as an italian delicatessen, so when i saw pretty products in the window display i had to stop and inspect! There’s definitely an upsurge in new, boutique style shops happening and i love it!

The friendly man who greeted me turned out to be simon, whom i remembered from a shop called revelloyd in upper street, islington. Some of you might know of revelloyd, a shop that sold interiors products and design services for 8 years and closed its doors in october 2011.

Formally employed at revelloyd, 4 months ago, simon opened his own shop, revelloyd interiors, with his business partner.

Is it a shop? Is it a design studio? Well, according to simon, it’s foremost an interior design studio with accessory based products. The shop is intended to showcase their look and give clients an idea of what can be achieved. Simon, who has been working in interior design for 15 years is clearly enthusiastic about his craft. When we talked fabrics and texture, his eyes come alive!

Interesting rugs, something i’m hunting for, are plentiful. Apart from the usual, you’ll find some stunning antique rugs. They are left out in the sun for the colour to bleach out. You can then either buy it as a whole, original rug or get it patch worked as seen in the example below.

A kilim rug.

I wanted to know what Simon’s clients were like and whether they take risks with colours and patterns. Apparently, there is a slight more risk taking approach. Sometimes it’s in the form of colours. Often it’s in the form of layering textures, combining leather and panels rather than patterns. Clients seem to like leather, furs, padded wallpapers, lots and lots of texture.

Here you see some of them. Some of simon’s favourites: elitis and gaston y daniela.

Simon is a great believer of starting small and growing your home’s interiors over time. Many of his clients start with one object, like the sofa or one room and when time, budget and enthusiasm allows for, they come back to tackle further rooms. You can furnish a home item by item and room by room and simon and his team are happy to help out with any sized project.

He’s also very much in favour of working with clients to establish their look and style, rather than imposing the designer’s style on them. I believe many of you feel the same way.

The shop/studio is a little bijoux on the way to highbury and i particularly like the little nook they created downstairs. I wanted to to be served moroccan mint tea (not builders tea) and lock myself away.

Downstairs also houses the multitude of fabric books and samples with further accessories.

What’s refreshing about revelloyd interiors is that it feels like going in and speaking to a mate. There is none of the usual ‘apprehension’ of having to buy something, or, not being able to ask simple interior design questions without feeling embarrassed. Go in, have a chat, and i wouldn’t be surprised if simon makes you a cuppa! Oh, and they give free consultations at your home.

The website is being build. Revelloys interiors, 240 st. pauls road, london, n1 2lj, tel: 0207 704 8192 e: revelloyd(at)gmail.com opening times: 1pm-7pm 6 days a week. Closed on mondays.

I hope you all have a great weekend and rejoice in another term of the obama presidency!

I’ll be back with my vive la différence series on monday (yep, exactly a month later as promised). This time, wait for it, we have a BOY! Yes ladies, a brave man has come forward. Now 3 guesses who it could be…. for those of you who can’t guess, come back monday and be enthralled x