These Are the Best Antiques Shops to Find Second-Hand Treasures in East London
East London has an abundance of antiques shops, filled with second-hand curiosities and vintage goods. Here’s our guide to the best antiques shops to find second-hand treasures in this hipster hotspot.
Vintage Heaven
Market, Shop, Store
Try Vintage Heaven on Columbia Road for antique furniture, fabrics, porcelain and mirrors. The quaint shop also sells tea, coffee and cakes from local bakeries. If you visit on a Sunday, make sure you go to Columbia’s Road famed flower market – it’s a delight.
Two Columbia Road
Art Gallery, Shop
Also on Columbia Road is this antiques shop and art gallery, which sells collectible furniture sourced from Scandinavia, Europe and North America. Right now, you can buy a 1960s stool by Japanese-designer Sori Yanagi; Danish cabinets and sofas; and a rare fibreglass-seat chair designed by Charles and Ray Eames.
The Peanut Vendor
Shop, Store
Journey to the The Peanut Vendor for 20th-century finds, including Bauhaus, Danish and industrial styles. Think modernist pinewood bar stools; black Murano glass vases; Italian postmodern wall lighting; and wooden-framed folding butterfly chairs. The shop sells mirrors, ceramics, mirrors and books, too.
Old Spitafields Antiques & Flea Market
Building, Market
Each week, a community of antiques specialists bring their prime vintage stock to this market in the heart of trendy east London. Housed in a restored Grade II listed Victorian building, more than 80 stalls sell designer furniture, maps, jewellery and clothing. The market is hugely popular so get there early (around 8am) to see the finest goods on offer.
Townhouse
Building, Shop, Store
Go to this gallery and antique shop for 20th-century goods, mostly made in Britain between 1900-60, as well as furniture and glassware. It’s a great place to stock up on oil on canvas paintings for your walls. Townhouse is housed in an early 18th-century building, and also offers some good shows and exhibitions by contemporary artists.
Atomic Antiques
Shop, Store
This antiques shop in Shoreditch High Street specalises in mid-century modern furniture, lighting, rugs and ornaments. Pieces include a 1950s small buttoned back sofa, which was re-upholstered by local shop 7 Upholstery, and a pair of armchairs by renowned Danish designer HJ Wegner.
Westland London
Shop
If you want to buy bold statement pieces, try Westland London. This shop sells a plethora of ostentatious antique fireplaces, lighting and furniture. Products include an Arts and Crafts walnut-panelled room screen; an oak dinner gong (yes, for real); and a mahogany Victorian armchair. It also sells statues for your garden.
Renaissance
Shop, Store
Have a browse in Renaissance in Shoreditch for antique furniture and lighting from Britain, France and Italy. The shops sells Murano chandeliers, marble fireplaces and ornamental mirrors. Products come from a range of different periods, including Victorian and Georgian.