Every so often, you inadvertently stumble across a gem of a place that creates that perhaps long forgotten feeling of discovering something new and knowing straight away that it’s pretty special. This place, of which I talk of, I came across less than a year ago down a side street off Brick Lane, an urban hub well-known for its cluster of vintage shops and alternative fashion. This place I’m talking in particular of is a small cafe. This is a cafe that stands out against the same bleak coffee establishments that have slowly crept onto the corners on every street. This little bit of tea-heaven is called The Vintage Emporium and Tea Rooms.
The Tea Rooms are just refreshingly unique. Before you even step through the door, the words ‘Welcome Home’ happily greet you, out-stretching its inviting hand to enter its delightfully warm bubble. There’s an overwhelming sense of comfort before you’ve even sat down on one of many eclectic array of chairs. The furniture is all mismatched which adds to the cafes charming feel. A worn but obviously once much loved brown leather armchair, a sofa which may well have been in your Nan’s house in the corner, and wooden chairs that haven’t thankfully come from IKEA but perhaps a quaint country cottage. But it’s other distinctive points in the cafe that adds to its charisma. Old brown suitcases of vintage snap-lock style are piled up like Russian Dolls on the back wall, reminding me fondly of reading Enid Blyton stories of boarding schools such as Malory Towers. Old advertisements decorate nearly every inch of cafe, as well as books and magazine from a selection of eras available for the curious and playful amongst us. I don’t know about you but just the smell of an old book is for me, a small pleasure in life. As an added touch, candles light the table that gives the cafe that finishing feel of affection and comfortable satisfaction that it promised from the outside.
There is quite a large selection of teas and drinks available, along with cakes that help you settle in on a rainy day full of gloom. A piece of homemade gusto heaven. The tea, brought to the table by the staff; one of whom resonates with a certain fictional pirate of the Caribbean, is put in a generous sized mug that invites you to stay for as long as you like. The cafe is also home to a dog, who wanders around the cafe greeting customers occasionally settling down on one of the many comfy armchairs. Even the dog gives an extra feel of cosiness to the atmosphere of the room! The whole room is a clever use of blending vintage pieces to create a whole new concept in itself that is rarely seen around. A place sweeter than the sugar it provides.
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| Spot the dog. |
Downstairs is another added surprise to this particular world of vintage delights. Any lover of vintage items and clothing will instantly fall in love with what befalls you in the Emporium. There are pieces of clothing ranging from the Victorian to the 60’s lovingly hung in the room. From top-hats to ladies shoes, wedding dresses, shirts and unfortunately, furs. I’m not a fan of fur. I understand that it used to a luxurious item of fashion, but when you look at the animals’ faces on the scarves they appear are so forlorn. It’s as if they’ve acknowledged they’re now nothing more than a scarf.
But I would have loved to have stayed in that room for ages just looking at each piece, exclaiming ‘Can you believe it?! This is from the 20’s!’ That’s what I personally love about vintage clothing and items. The fact it was made and was part of a particular part of time like a souvenir from the past and it is now available to you to buy. I always imagine who could have once owned it, or where it came from. Vintage for me is all about discovery. You don’t know when you’re next going to come across something that has a little mystery behind it that .
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| More ugly step sister than Cinderella. |
But the whole space downstairs is covered from top to bottom in vintage delight. The delicate lace, the petite but glamorous shoes, the romantic detail on the wedding dresses that have adorned blushing brides from across all the eras; so many finds, so little time. I would have loved to have bought something but I fear I would find no use as all the pieces are so unique. They don’t belong in a cupboard or drawer, they’ve become something that needs to be admired and doted. I would like some T-bar and brogue shoes, but my giant modern size 6 feet wouldn’t even come close to fitting the lovely shoes in the Emporium unless I wanted to pay homage to an ugly step sister from Cinderella, deperately trying to squash the dainty shoe onto my foot. Sigh.
The whole place tugged at my vintage loving heart strings, and left me knowing that this had become a favourite escape of mine. Take a book, curl up in the soft leather armchair with the bottomless cup of tea. Admire each different artefact that has found a new loving place, making up the snug atmosphere the whole place projects. Everything about this place brings a sentiment of uniqueness, something that is definitely missing today. It’s a home away from home.
Brick Lane, London.
