During a walk around Crystal Palace pre-2007, you’d have been unlikely to comment on the region’s charming upmarket feel. Fast forward 10 years on, and this location offers an entirely different shopper’s appeal
ike many South London towns, the SW19 area is peppered with artisan boutiques filled to the brim with avant garde home décor items. Handmade prints, bright yellow plastic pigs and globallysourced cushion covers line the shelves as boutique retailers compete in a crowded marketplace. But why the sudden sweep of boutiques hitting the streets of South London you ask? We’ve got a few theories. When an overground rail station was introduced back in 2007, Crystal Palace became notably better connected to the heart of the city, and home buyers certainly noticed. In 2014, The Financial Times reported a 37% increase in the number of house viewings, and a 67% increase in the number of homes sold since the previous year. The lure of green space and improved transport links now means the middle class buyer is far more likely to venture South for shopping and recreational activities. The number of artisan boutiques and independent eateries popping up is testament to the fact that South London is fast becoming the place to visit for a charming rustic feel in the midst of a sometimes overwhelming city. Community spirit on the precipice between trendy and homely continues to grow in Clapham, where Abbeville Road boasts a collection of the city’s most upmarket baby shops, bakeries and delicatessens. The aptly named ‘Grand Passion’ boutique is a mecca for the fashion-conscious and those who take pride in their homes. Here you can pick up everything from silk slipper shoes to ornate woodland creature-shaped lamps. Savvy boutique owners have eagerly watched South London property prices rise, and they’ve matched these with shops to suit the financial freedom of a more middle class clientele. Herne Hill is another area artisan lovers flock to, with the likes of the White Feather boutique offering ‘hand-picked key pieces not found anywhere else in South London.’ This need for originality, to be ahead of the curve is not unique to the South. But unlike its eastern neighbours Dalston, Hackney and Shoreditch, shops within the SW postcode seem to be leaning towards a more expensive brand of cool. If you’re looking for bargains you’ll be disappointed, but if it’s a one-off statement piece of jewellery or homeware you’re hoping to bag, these boutiques are an Aladdin’s cave full of treasures just waiting to be found. With Scandi-influences and the promise of bespoke pieces in every store, boutiques in the South are emerging as fine places to shop for those who want to stand out from the crowd. The only thing standing between you and the wardrobe or home of your dreams it seems, is a notable amount of cash, with prices a little higher than your average high street shop. They say you get what you pay for though, so we know where we’ll be heading for autumn gifts and knick-knacks. First stop, Crystal Palace.