Shopkeeper of the Week - SjGuest Home Textiles

SjGuest is located in the Homeware & Textile Passage within The Secret Arcade.

The work of SjGuest is hard to categorise, easily falling under the genres of Pop Art, Surrealism and even Orientalism. One thing is certain is that she likes colour and expertly creates eye-popping combinations that surprise and delight. Think blue frogs on acid yellow, Purple flying ducks and psychedelic zig-zags.

Her work is both fun but also highly sophisticated; beautifully made silk cushions, lampshades, upholstered furniture and vibrant prints add up to a unique and exciting collection.

Here we take a few moments out with SjGuest to discuss

How would you describe your work?

A colour popping, imaginative feast of scrummy textiles for your home, brought to you with a personal touch and sense of fun. Offering bespoke services and one off pieces.

Who/what are your biggest influences?

I have always be inspired by Missoni and Vercaces use of colour and pattern.

I also love the work of illustrator Alan Aldridge. But I have to say my biggest influences are often the close network of designer friends I am lucky enough to be surrounded by.

Where is your favourite spring/summer place to visit for inspiration?

Probably Portobello Market but it depends what I am working on, different places appeal for different reasons. I like to keep a camera on me all the time to snap great things when I see them!

What is your favourite item from your current collection?

I am a big fan of my blue duck cushion (if i do say so myself), I think it is a real statement piece and really sums up my style. Perfect for the British spring/summer season.

Do you have any new items/collections about to be launched?

I am currently working on a range of lampshades, that will be launching soon, and a very special limited collection to celebrate the Royal wedding.

What do you enjoy most about being one of the shops in The Secret Arcade?

Its great to be part of a network of great designers and shop owners. I have certainly made some great friends who sell in the homes passage, its given my online store virtual neighbours who are just as helpful as real ones!

Visit SjGuest's shop here...

New in @ The Secret Arcade

New in @ Ghost Furniture - another unique collection of great up-cycled objects. Our current favourites are the Dark Secret Goblets -finished in a matte dark grey paint with pops of colour insides on on the embossed stems - vivid raspberry, kingfisher blue, yellow and acid green, all specially mixed in France. Also look out for the acid green candlesticks and the ghostly grey bakers set. Visit the Ghost Furniture shop in the Homewares Passage at The Secret Arcade.

New in @ Ray Stitch - more fantastic spring fabrics from our favourite haberdashers! We love her collection of ceramic buttons - all of which are made by women artists and crafters in rural areas of South Africa where there are very few other employment opportunities. Also look out for the 20% discount on purchase over the next week! Visit the Ray Stitch Shop in the Accessories Passage at The Secret Arcade.

New in @ Littlecote Soap Co - a gentle reminder that there is still time to order a bit of luxury to pamper your mum for Mothers Day. Delivery of retail orders are usually next working day so there is still plenty of time - Choose from a fun selection from Gin & Tonic, Pink Champagne to Hippy Rose! Visit The Littlecote Soap Co in the Perfume & Beauty Passage at The Secret Arcade.

Please Vote for the Empress of India

Essentially Me (in the Perfume & Beauty Passage) have been nominated for The UK Fragrance Foundation Independent Niche Award for their beautiful, heritage scent Empress of India.

Although you might not have sampled it personally (although you can get samples from their online shop) we think the back story behind the scent is reason enough to vote so if you have a moment please vote here...

Shopkeeper of the Week - Sarah Home

To explore the Gothic illustrations and jewellery designs of Sarah Home is to enter a world of ravens, clock towers and feathers. A graduate of Loughborough College of Art, Sarah studied multi media textiles and developed her signature mix of techniques and use of materials.

Specialising in laser cutting and etching Sarah's current collection includes large scale dramatic necklaces and is inspired by her fascination with the raven, it's appearance and what is symbolises.

We take a few moments out with Sarah to talk Hitchcock and Tring Museum:

How would you best describe your work?

A fantastical exploration into the mystical symbolism and curious behaviour of the Bird of Paradise and Corvid birds. An indulgence into the bizarre, theatrical and imagination.

Who/what are your biggest influences?

The character, beauty and history of Birds of Paradise and Corvid Birds. Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘The Bird’s’ became inspiring in capturing the mood for the Ravens and Crows, as well as examining the taxidermy of Crows and Ravens at Tring’s Natural History Museum.

Where is your favorite spring/summer place to visit for inspiration?

Any weird yet wonderful museum or exhibition. Although I can visit them throughout the year, especially in the dark winter gloomy months… I love Tring’s private collection of books and taxidermy.

The spring sun urges me to be more creative with silks and colours too. I would love to visit South and Central America for a feast of colour, sun and tropical inspiration!

What is your favourite item from your current collection?

At the moment it’s An Unkindness of Black Ravens. The necklace is delicate, yet powerful. It’s a beautiful and dramatic piece with elegance.

Do you have any new items/collections about to be launched?

A lovely collection of colourful silk scarves inspired by the fantastic feather tail plumes of the Birds of Paradise.

What do you enjoy most about being one of the shops in The Secret Arcade?

Sharing a beautifully designed online Parisian Boutique Arcade with other inspiring, unique shops.

Visit Sarah Home here

Shopkeeper of the Week - Turner Pocock Cazalet + 20% off all the collection

This week we look into the illustrative world of Turner Pocock Cazalet. Bunny Turner and Emma Pocock are the co-founders of the chic and quirky interior design company Turner Pocock and recently added a third name to the successful mix. Catherine Cazalet an artist who says her work is about "old fashioned romance, eccentricities and a slight obsession with colour" creates nostalgic and playful illustrations which Turner Pocock turn into the most fantastic wall coverings.

In a world where floral and large geometric wallpapers have become ubiquitous it is a real pleasure to find designs which are unusual and have lots of character.

Turner Pocock Cazalet specialise in high quality papers in subtle colour ways with surprising motifs; cricket bats, tennis rackets, delicate outlines of polar bears and ibis birds to galloping zebra and parading ostriches.

Because the company is founded on the principles of interior design the wallpapers work exceptionally well in any home and are designs you will want to invest in which will stand the test of time.

Turner Pocock and Cazalet are offering 20% off all designs to The Secret Arcade visitors from today until April 15th - just enter: thesecretarcade at the checkout in their shop.

Here we take a few moments out with the company:

How would you describe your e-shop or work in two sentences?

Turner Pocock Cazalet wallpapers are vibrant and bold and offer a mix of modern illustration with an English-centric vibe. Designed largely as alternatives for children’s decor, the wallpapers are a sophisticated way to add colour and fun within the home.

Who/what are your biggest influences?

Travel is our biggest influence, alongside Oriental textiles and Henri Matisse.

Where is your favourite spring/summer place to visit for inspiration?

Catherine Cazalet’s favourite spring/summer places to visit for inspiration is the Devon coast.

What is your favourite item from your current collection?

The Zebra Blue/Grey wallpaper! Catherine has a love affair with Zebras, which has also become one of her most famous motifs in her work as an artist and specialist painter.

Do you have any new items/collections about to be launched?

Yes – we have plans to launch a new wallpaper shortly, which will subtly add a new element to the current collection – so please watch this space.

What do you enjoy most about being one of the shops in The Secret Arcade?

We love being part of The Secret Arcade because it’s one of the most fun and innovative ways for customers to shop online.

Visit Turner Pocock Cazalet's shop in the Home Decoration Passage

A Mother's Day Special

If you really want to treat your mum to a special present this year you seriously need to make a visit to The Secret Arcade! See below for a selection of great ideas.

A perfume fit for a Queen!

We're recommending the Empress of India special edition perfume by Essentially-me for Mothering Sunday. "Empress" was created by Alec Lawless for BBC2's The Victorian Pharmacy. It is an opulent tribute to the natural aromatic riches of the Orient, fit for a Queen. The fragrance is available in Eau de Parfum and Eau de Toilette strengths in a 56ml bottle, as well as in a handy 12ml handbag-size atomiser. The 12ml atomiser also comes with a voucher for a discount of £10 off a full-size bottle.

A pretty cushion is always a favourite!

We think a cushion is a great gift for mother's day - Find this stunning design and many more scrumptious cushions at Sarah Jayne Guest's lovely shop in the Homewares Passage in The Secret Arcade.

Gorgeous fragrances of Spring from the Littlecote Soap Co.



We fully recommend this wonderful English Bluebell Soap & Candle. A fresh bluebell fragrance opening with green petal notes supported by lily, hyacinth and jasmine resting on a sensual floral base - what a treat! You can also buy great gift sets containing all of the wonderful soaps available from this gem of a company. Visit Littlecote Soap Co. in the Perfume & beauty passage at The Secret Arcade.

The cutest prints from Belle and Boo!

Belle and Boo have launched a delightful range of prints in their own unique style for Mother's Day. They come both as mounted and framed prints. it is well worth a visit to their beautiful shop in The Secret Arcade to view their full range of prints and greetings cards.

The red palm purse - a small piece of luxury from Tamara Fogle.

This exquisitely made purse will make a great mother's day gift. Visit Tamara's shop in The Secret Arcade to view other brilliant colours.

Two great pieces of press for the Arcade!

Two great sites have just written posts about the Arcade. First came the influential trend forecasting site WGSN Global, quickly followed by Helen Costello from AOL's online magazine My Daily who chose the arcade as her Boutique of the Week. You can read the full interview here...

Shopkeeper of the Week - Essentially Me

This week we take a look at Essentially Me in our Perfume & Beauty Passage. Based in the heart of the Costwolds, Essentially Me is an artisan perfumery which specialise in small quantities of exquisite natural scents, bespoke fragrances and professional perfume kits as well as workshop courses - perfect gift material!

Recently Alec Lawless, the perfumer behind the company, was featured on BBC 2's Victorian Pharmacy were he created a new scent called The Empress of India. An opulent tribute to the natural aromatic riches of the Orient, it is truly fit for a Queen. The fragrance is available in Eau de Parfum and Eau de Toilette strengths in a 56ml bottle, as well as in a handy 12ml handbag-size atomiser ( which comes with a voucher for £10 off a full-size bottle).

The Empress of India has also been entered for the Fragrance Foundation’s FiFi awards in the Best Niche Fragrance category. The FiFi awards are the "Oscars" of the Fragrance Industry and the award is voted for by readers of Basenotes, the leading online community dedicated to all things perfume. Voting goes live in the next couple of weeks so it would e great to show the all our support!

Also, don't miss reading Alec's blog, it's a fascinating look at what inspires him to make perfume.

We take a few moments out with Sian and Alec:

How would you best describe your e-shop?

Essentially Me is the only Natural Perfumery in the UK, creating beautiful fragrances with the finest natural aromatics. We're also a one-stop shop for perfume enthusiasts wanting to create their own perfumes, with a range of perfumery ingredients, lab supplies and courses for everyone - from the beginner to the experienced natural perfumer.

Who/what are your biggest influences?

Perfumer, Alec Lawless, is inspired by trying to recreate a golden age of perfumery, which we think held sway between the end of the 19th Century and the mid 1940's. In this period, the great perfumers worked with mostly natural aromatics, a small percentage of the (then) new aromachemicals and animal musks. We don't use animal musks - we've created our own botanical musk - but we do use a tiny percentage (around 1%) of fragrance compound; and most importantly, we focus on sourcing the finest natural aromatics in the world.

Where is your favourite spring/summer place to visit for inspiration?

The Cotswolds, where we are based, is full of beautiful places - Slimbridge Wetlands, Westonbirt Arboretum or just a walk in the country pretty much anywhere around here!

What is your favourite item from your current collection?

Perfumery is such a personal choice - it depends on your mood each day, time of year, place you're going to. We can't choose! One of our most popular fragrances is "Empress of India" which Alec created for BBC TV's The Victorian Pharmacy last summer - inspired by the Indian subcontinent, it's a heady mix of rose and jasmine (including a special arabian jasmine known as sambac), with sandalwood, vanilla, citrus and spices. Heavenly.

Do you have any new items about to be launched?

We're hoping that our new Wedding Favours will be popular with brides-to-be: the couple choose from our Fragrance Collection (10 different perfumes) and we specially package our 1ml miniatures in a pretty organza bag with a personalised card.

What do you enjoy most about being one of the shops in The Secret Arcade?

It's lovely to be exhibited with other Artisan businesses - the quality of the products is so high and truly individual.

Essentially Me can be found in the Perfume & Beauty Passage