There's STILL been no sewing in these parts, but boy do I have a treat for you today. Well, at least I hope this excites you as much as it did me in real life!
Last weekend I went back to Hertfordshire to visit beloved friends, and one of them had the genius idea of taking me to The Fleetville Vintage Emporium, situated less than a 3 minute walk from her house in St Albans. If I lived that close to it, I literally would spend ALL my free time there!
From the outside it looks unassuming.
But this place is a sensory delight...it's a never-ending warehouse, jam-packed with vintage goodies of all kinds. Seriously, they are spilling out of every nook and cranny and even spending an entire day in it, let alone a couple of hours, wouldn’t scratch the surface of its treasures.
Racks-upon-racks of vintage clothes and accessories, for men and women
Home furnishings in incredible condition
The most beautiful crockery, some in full sets - seriously swoon-worthy
Karen, this next collage is for you - aren't they lovely?
I also loved the random nature of the vintage goodies...
...to the downright bizarre - seriously, how creepy is this ventriloquist's dummy!?!
And as a sewing enthusiast, how could I not stop and caress each of these?!?
Needless to say that I could have spent an absolute fortune in this place and kitted out more homes than a could shake a stick at. Alas, I had no real way of getting anything substantial back to Leicester in my small overnight bag on a train. But don't worry, I didn't leave entirely empty-handed. Just as we were leaving I spotted this beautiful fabric which looks and feels like 1940s/50s rayon - do correct me if you know otherwise. Anyway, I almost bypassed it in fear of the price tag, but it turns out it was cheap as chips - over 2.5 metres for just £2. Keeerchiiing!
So if you should ever find yourself near St Albans, I urge you to visit The Fleetville Vintage Emporium. But make sure you schedule in plenty of time ;o)
P.S. Apologies for the quality of my photos, they were taken on my mobile phone.
I'll be ALL OVER that place next time I'm in the UK.
ReplyDeletePssh, the photos look great!
Thanks Fiona, and you really must visit it!!!
DeleteOh my goodness, this looks like heaven! Wow all the treasures! Great fabric find, what do you think you'll make out of it?
ReplyDeleteI have no idea yet! I just had to grab it as it was so cheap ;o)
DeleteMy cottage style decorating self would love to spend the day shopping for goodies in England! You have so many wonderful vintage there, but Thos typewriters don't hold a candle to my red vintage fifties Smith Corona I found for 5 bucks at the thrift shop! That fabric would look lovely as a Lawnsdale!
ReplyDeleteIt's true, your vintage typewriter is stunning!!!
DeleteOh so exciting! I'd love to have something like that near me too. The downside would obviously be less time for sewing ;)
ReplyDeleteSo true, so I'm actually grateful it's not in my city ;o)
DeleteThis is one of my favourite places to shop when I'm home, it's so close to where my parents live it's not true! Unfortunately, what with the touring and everything, I haven't had time to visit Fleetville for almost a year now :( but I am definitely going to make time for a visit now, how could I not after such a gorgeous post! Thanks for reminding me that a visit is well overdue :)
ReplyDeleteYou lucky thing! I wish I knew about it when I lived in Harpenden, but again, I would have probably spent more time than is healthy there. Hope you get to visit soon!
DeleteWhaaaaat!? It looks like the greatest antique store ever! DROOL. Love the fabric you scored!
ReplyDeleteIt's literally like and antique warehouse...it just keeps going and going! But I'm always jealous of all the markets and estate sales you see to have the pleasure of ;o)
DeleteOh my goodness!! What a gorgeous shop! I love all the old sewing machines, and the fabric you got is lovely. :)
ReplyDeleteSooo many treasures!!! I can't wait to see what you make out of that fabric!
ReplyDeleteLots of treasures!
ReplyDeleteThe fabric looks more late-70s to mid-80s to me. Both the graphics and the colours. Regardless, I love it!
But that's based on American textiles of the periods. Not sure how they varied between countries.
Taja
Thanks for the tip on the fabric, I'm sure you're right! I really have no clue about dating stuff and I think my estimation was just wishful thinking. But yes, it's still a gorgeous piece ;o)
DeleteHaha, I'm jealous! :)
ReplyDeleteLooks awesome! I could spend days looking too!
Great fun! Your pictures are shown off to perfection in those collages....great way to present so many treasures, and nice fabric!
ReplyDeleteI had so many more pictures as well, it was so hard to choose from them!
DeleteOMG I must go! My colleague just signed on a house in St Albans so I'm going to demand a visit... and a shopping trip ;) Well done for resisting that beautiful radio and scoring some beautiful bargain fabric. Can't wait to see what you make with it x
ReplyDeleteIt's meant to be then for you Tilly, I honestly can't tell you enough how cool this place is! Make sure you rummage through the second warehouse round the back as well!!!
DeleteThis looks AMAZING! I haven't encountered anything so jam-packed with vintage goodness here in the US. Also, LOVE that fabric!
ReplyDeleteWow this place looks fantastic! I'd heard about it previously but didn't quite realise just how amazing it was! I really might have to take a trip down there at some point!
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely worth a trip down, especially if you have a car...just think of all the goodies you can pick up ;o)
DeleteI've been away on hols so am just catching up on blogs and this looks mazing! Plus it's only 35 mins drive from my house. It's essential that I must go!
ReplyDeleteOooh Joanne, it's so close to you. Just get in the car and do it...oh and prepare to buy loads of stuff ;o)
DeleteWee - that place looks amazing! I'm originally from Welwyn Garden, but haven't lived there in years - will have to hit St Albans next time I'm in the area, so thanks for telling us about it! Big up the Herts massive ;)
ReplyDeleteLove the fabric you found, great price, too!
Do, you won't regret it!
DeleteOoooooohhhhhh. My version of paradise would look exactly like that, except with David Bowie included. I think I need to check this place out in my near future!
ReplyDeleteI bet if you had all day to rummage, you would find David Bowie in there too ;o)
DeleteOh my goodness, I pass this place ALL THE TIME in the car and have NEVER been in!
ReplyDeleteThat fabric you bought is gorgeous, and I want one of those old Singer sewing machines. I had one, which was stored at my parents house, and I think my dad took it to a charity shop!!!
I might just have to pop in here this weekend, I was planning on going to St Albans anyway!
Oh wow, lucky you driving by all the time! You seriously have to go in...but leave yourself enough time ;o)
DeleteWe have just come across your blog about our emporium, love it and thank you. We have posted it to our Facebook fan page, hope you don't mind!?
ReplyDeleteplease again visit us soon.
Much love - The Fleetville Vintage Emporium xx