PUBLISHED November 9th, 2012 01:12 am | UPDATED July 23rd, 2024 12:52 am
Stepping in to Roccoco Kent’s packed-to-the-rafters boutique, is a bit like that scene in Mary Poppins where she reaches her hand into a relatively compact little bag and starts to pull out floor lamps, coat racks and all sorts of huge items that one can only imagine are stored in some fantastic, outer pocket of the space/time continuum. With eyes as big as saucers her little protegees watch as Mary Poppins introduces the wonder of magic! As a mighty impressionable young girl watching the television, I vowed that one day I would have such a bag of my own.
Unfortunately for reasons that science can only truly explain, my ambition to own such a wondrous bag never came to fruition, but when I popped in to see Emmeline at her new Roccoco Kent store, just off North Bridge road, I had a similar sensation. ‘Wait, hang on, how does it all fit, waaaaah! amazing’
The store is tucked away in a corner on the second story of a conservation shophouse, and is a teeny, tiny space that Emmeline has cleverly merchandised to maximise every inch, every wall, every surface. The result is utterly charming. Vintage clothing and accessories nestle next to quirky knick knacks and collectibles found on overseas expeditions to Europe and Asia, while gold trinkets are displayed in antique chinaware….
Furniture that is for sale displays items that are for sale, that hold more bits and bobs that are …yup, you guessed it, for sale! Pretty much everything that you see is available to buy so don’t be shy if you can’t see a price, just ask.
The furniture is an interesting selection of mid century and vintage industrial furniture, some reupholstered in zingy fabric, some preserved just as they were found. And hanging on the rails is fashion from all eras, from sweet tea dresses to slinky va va voom pieces.
Prices are incredibly reasonable and start at a couple of dollars, up to $650 for a reworked chair that had been brought back to life with a delicious pink upholstery. With stock changing all the time and only one piece of each item, I don’t want to tease you with beautiful items (like the amazing diamante brooch I saw, or the pastel beaded handbag that was winking at me) that will no doubt be gone by the time you get there, so instead let me just show you some images of lovely random things and encourage you to get down there and experience the magic for yourself!
Roccoco Kent is located at 753 North Bridge Road #02-02.