Urban Jungle Bloggers – ‘Other’ Café and Gallery

Well, since this is my third #urbanjunglebloggers post, it might as well have its own Urban Jungle Bloggers category. What do you say?

Urban Jungle Bloggers is a monthly series, devised by Igor and Judith. The idea is to get some green into our homes, especially for us urban folks! Every month they invite bloggers to share ideas for creating an urban jungle through styling challenges, DIYs, green tips and tricks. Every month there is a different theme on the topic. You can follow and get more Urban Jungle Bloggers inspiration on Pinterest and on Facebook.

May’s theme is: “Greens in Cafés, Shops & Restaurants !

Every so often I come across a café or shop that hugely inspires me. When looking for one that would fit the bill for today’s post, I hit the jackpot but in more than one way. It’s not just about the greens, it’s also about the inspiring interiors and the man who owns this café and gallery.

The outside is already so welcoming. Do you agree? Let me introduce you to the ‘Other’ Café and Gallery.

Meet Giuliano.

Italian with a French accent, Giuliano, who’s had many years experience in catering, dreamt about opening an independent café and an art gallery space. Three years ago, he found the space and it’s only now that he’s starting to be happy with the end result. It’s been a hard graft, a true labour of love with major structural work and refurbishments, all on a very small budget.

After a 10 weeks intensive course at KLC, (think he’s still suffering from shock) he knew he wanted his space to be unique, full of personality and as far removed from what he saw being ‘in’ with the KLC crowd. Coupled with limited funds, everything is recycled, up-cycled, hand/home-made, bought at car boot fairs or donated. Take a peek.

Spot the cactus/ Love the wall made out of found wooden palettes | beautiful pitcher

There’s something charming about the simplicity of displaying this succulent.

Loving the Chelsea hunting wallpaper against the reclaimed wooden palettes | That framed photo works really well here.

Giuliano is passionate about making lamps. Left: a black Ikea planter turned upside down with simple bulb put in.

I’m just so inspired by the sheer ‘homeliness’ of it all.

Simple wooden shelving and decor makes it all so unpretentious and ‘non styling’, which is truly refreshing.

Some wonderful jars and labels. Giuliano has a great eye.

There was a rather large selection of eclectic tea ware. I want the one on the left!

The food is fresh and home-made. Here some afternoon tea. Thank you to the nice ladies who allowed me to take this photograph before tucking in!

Here’s my late lunch. I was famished and this simple but delicious salmon dish just hit the spot!

Downstairs, you’ll find a little outside space. There’s no seating there but it let’s in light, fresh air and adds to the charm. All of the downstairs used to be storage but was transformed bit by bit with found objects.

I was in love with one of the rooms in the basement. Made to look like a living room it has the most wonderful and crazy decor.

Check out the yellow TV and bird cage | This must be the best display I’ve ever seen for Ed Carpenter’s Pigeon Light

Funky prints, urban jungle theme, on funky wallpaper.

Love this Vignette.

Told ya it’s eclectic and crazy. Just magnificent stuff.

Then there’s actually the gallery space with a large table in the middle. I didn’t take any photographs as there were guests sitting having their afternoon tea. Giuliano’s main aspiration with the gallery is to help emerging artists. His real passion is to be a fine artist and is hoping to launch his own art there in the not too distant future.

I ended up spending quite a few hours at ‘Others’. Another wonderful aspect of this café and gallery is the diverse and interesting people it attracts. There was a real feeling of community spirit and I was fortunate to meet and chat to everyone. I can’t wait to return and only being 10 minutes from my home, I think Giuliano might get to see a whole lot more of me. Oh, pssst, don’t tell him but I’m planning to sneak in some more plants every time I visit!

‘Other’
48 Balls Pond Road,
London, N1 4AP