One World Parsons Green
The “One on the Green” opened on 12 December at 41 - 43 Parsons Green Lane and is now the stunning One World flagship store. This family run business, started in 1989 by Kathy and Sidney Bensohn who came to the UK from their home in Cape Town, with their young family in tow and never left. They started out by importing and selling candles from Swaziland which was so successful, they became dedicated to sourcing and importing beautiful things for the home. The company is now run by their two sons.
Urban Village LDN loves the company motto “Love what we do, with people we love” which is painted on the wall before you enter the store. One World says “we truly believe in homes and products that invite people to engage with them, and with each other. These kinds of items work to enrich our relationships with friends and family – and the spaces in which we live. They make everyday life a pleasure and enhance those special moments with our loved ones”.
The store opposite Parsons Green tube is beautifully laid out and feels like you’re walking into the pages of your favourite interiors magazine. It is lovely to see this building that has sat empty for sometime being injected with life and the five different spaces within the building feature a range of interior delights from velvet covered chairs and sofas to affordable votives, prints and planters.
Welcome to Fulham One World!
Pedal Power
It was always strange to us that as more lycra clad Fulhamites and cyclists hit the streets of Fulham it seemed like all our local bike shops were disappearing. Good news for bike owners and cycling enthusiasts that Balfe’s Bikes opened their fourth branch in Fulham on 18 November. You can find them on the Fulham Road (just down from Kensington Prep).
Richard Balfe opened his first shop in Dulwich in 2008 and since then Balfe’s Bikes “has remained an independent business run by cyclists for cyclists”. Seems like it’s a one stop shop for all types of bikes from hybrid to mountain and road bikes and their repair shop fills a much needed gap.
Great to see that Balfe’s Bikes are a London London Living Wage employer and “nurture the skills of the mechanics who work as colleagues in each of our shops”. Why not pop in to demo one of their electric bikes or check out all the services they offer including component degreasing, brake servicing and full safety checks. They also stock a good selection of accessories including Madison clothing, Moon Lights, Ortlieb panniers, Tubus racks and Kryptonite locks.
https://www.balfesbikes.co.uk/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/balfes_bikes/
Lebanese dining by Eelbrook Common
Fresh tastes have arrived courtesy of Miski to liven up taste buds this winter. This Lebanese restaurant and bar opened just after New Year’s Eve and Urban Village LDN have been peeking through the windows watching the site’s transformation. We are looking forward to sampling both the classic and new dishes featured on their menu including a good selection of salads (spicy, miski, fattoush), cold mezze (Hummus, tabbouleh), Hot Mezza (falafel, chicken wings, Halloumi) and grills (mixed, Kafta skewers, lamb cutlets) and wraps. Looks like there are some lovely breakfast options too with a different selection of egg dishes including our favourite shakshuka and we are looking forward to sampling some pastries and sampling some of the classic cocktails they offer.
Housam and his family opened their first restaurant in 1995 and within three years the family had expanded their business opening several restaurants in London. Their web-site says their goal was “to make Lebanese food just like their mother had made it…making every meal a celebration of taste, texture and family values”.
The interiors look both fresh and colourful and we can’t wait for summer days when the windows open onto Eelbrook Common and we can sit in their gorgeous cushioned cane chairs and watch Fulham life go by.
Miski Lebanese Dining & Bar, 57 Eel Brook Common, New Kings Road, SW6 4SE
Half term before you know it!
Blue Performing Arts have recently opened two new performing arts & creative camps in Fulham at Queen's Manor Primary & Fulham Primary. Blue Performing Arts was created in August 2018 by Benjamyn Hutchings-Mitchell who named the company after his daughter. His aim was to bring inspirational teachers & innovative creative activities to children aged 5 - 12 across London. In 2019 students performed in Trafalgar Square for the Mayor of London's Christmas Choir, St Patricks Day & Feast of St George Festival, they’ve also featured in various radio shows and events. They are linked to the Buzz Talent agency which will help BPA students interested in pursuing a career in the performing arts.
Benjamyn told Urban Village LDN “we are a bit different to other local camps as our program is taught by current top performers from shows such as Top Boy, The X Factor, Cats The Musical Thriller and we are also the first camp in Fulham to offer 3D Printing (Toy Making) as a standard activity”.
Costs for a weekly camp are £150 with each day starting at 8.30am and finishing at 6.00pm and BPA are offering 15% off their February Half Term Fulham camps to all readers of Urban Village LDN readers; just mention our name when you book.
