June Newsletter
Inspired by Wes Anderson, vintage news, London's secret towpath walks, picnic style & summer recipes
Hello and welcome to June’s eclectic mix of Love Vintage Etc.
On Set
I saw The Phoenician Scheme this week at my local cinema and, as with all Wes Anderson films, it didn’t disappoint. From the cinematography, eccentricity and wit the film was everything you might expect but it was the interiors and sets that really struck a chord. A stellar cast, including Tom Hanks, Willem Dafoe, Scarlett Johansson and Benedict Cumberbatch, romp across a fictional country and through grand palazzos.
Anderson set his latest film in the 1950s and has styled it with gothic glamour, mid-century chic and a colour palette to emulate. The opening scene is a birds-eye view of a bathroom (larger than my flat) in a palace belonging to Benicio del Toro’s character, Zsa-zsa Korda.
I dug around to find details about the room sets and according to AD magazine the majestic marble bath was sourced from Lapicida in Yorkshire. The sinks and sanitary ware were sourced at Mongers Architectural Salvage in Norfolk and the vintage style grey and white tiles came from European Heritage. The detailing is impeccable, from Champagne on ice in the bidet to the retro record player and the art on the walls.
Wes Anderson’s love of art is well known and old master paintings feature heavily throughout the film, including Renoir’s Enfant Assis en Robe Bleue. But the Renoir portrait isn’t a copy - it’s the real thing, placed on set, above the bed of Korda’s daughter, Liesl (played by Mia Threapleton) and surrounded by rose covered wallpaper. Look out for the full list of featured paintings at the end of the film.
June Inspiration
Who doesn’t love an old fashioned picnic? Straw baskets filled with rosé, gingham tablecloths, something savoury and something sweet. Even better when it’s packed with mismatched vintage plates and linen napkins. Make the most summer and head outdoors, or stay inside on rainy days and have a picnic on your kitchen floor.
Two Easy Picnic Recipes
I’ve put together two super easy recipes: baked peaches with honey and burrata and a very portable almond and lemon cake.
This is my favourite (gluten free) Zesty Almond & Lemon Cake. I’ve adapted the recipe from BBC Good Food.
You will need:
200g butter or plant based margarine
200g golden caster sugar
2 unwaxed lemons, zested
4 medium eggs
150g ground almonds
50g gluten free plain flour (I use Freee)
1 teaspoon baking powder
20g flaked almonds
Heat the oven to 180c / gas mark 4. Butter and line a 20cm diameter baking tin with greaseproof paper. Gently melt the butter in a saucepan and stir in the sugar. Beat the eggs in a large mixing bowl until fluffy and add in the lemon zest and the butter and sugar mixture, giving it a good stir. Add the ground almonds and mix well then fold in the sifted flour and baking powder.
Tip the cake mixture into your baking tin and sprinkle with the flaked almonds. Bake in the centre of the oven for 40-4 5 minutes until golden and a skewer, inserted into the centre of the cake, comes out clean. (I have a fan assisted oven and bake for 40 mins.)
Leave to cool in the tin. Serve on its own or with strawberries and thick Greek yoghurt. It also keeps well, for up to five days, in an airtight tin.
Baked Peaches with Honey & Burrata (serves 4)
This simple, summery recipe combines sweet and creamy flavours and is easily transported to a favourite picnic spot.
You will need:
A Burrata cheese, drained weight 125g
3 large peaches, firm but not overly ripe
1 tablespoon of runny honey
2 tablespoons of olive oil
A good grind of black pepper
1 teaspoon of chilli flakes
Fresh basil to serve
Pre-heat the oven to 200c / gas mark 6 (fan assisted oven 180c). Cut the peaches into slices of around 15mm thick and arrange in a non-stick baking tray. Use 1 tbsp of olive oil to coat the peach slices, making sure to coat all sides, add a generous grind of black pepper and bake in the oven for around 20-25 minutes, until tender and golden.
For the dressing: in a cup or small bowl mix 1 tbsp of olive oil, the honey and the chilli flakes and stir well. Arrange the baked peaches around the edge of a serving plate and place the drained burrata in the middle. Pour the honey mix over the peaches and cheese, scatter with fresh basil leaves and serve with crusty bread.
Off the beaten track: London canal walks
Away from rush hour crowds, traffic and noise this lazy London stroll, along Regents Canal, is the perfect way to see London from a very different perspective. Discover nature reserves, independent markets, cafés, the pretty boat community at Little Venice, Regents Park and floating gardens.
Regents Canal is often described as one of London's best-kept secrets and last Sunday I revisited the walk west, from Coal Drops Yard (behind St Pancras & Kings Cross Stations) to Primrose Hill on the canal towpath. You may want to avoid early weekday mornings when Londoner’s use the route to cycle to work and weekends, around lunchtime, as it’s especially busy around Camden Lock.
Coal Drops Yard to Primrose Hill (approx 40 minutes)
I started at 10am with coffee at Redemption Roasters and a stroll around the historic Coal Drops Yard. The area was constructed in 1850 as a coal distribution and granary store and renovated in 2018 with designs by Thomas Heatherwick Studio (also responsible for the re-design of London’s red routemaster double decker bus). With its vast choice of restaurants, independent cafés and shops there’s plenty to see including the original Victorian coal sheds and the surrounding public gardens built around the old gas holders. From Coal Drops Yard enter the canal towpath, to the left of Gasholder Park, and walk west opposite the London Wildlife Trust gardens at Camley Street and St Pancras Yacht Basin.
From here it’s around a 20 minute stroll to Camden Lock and market. Camden Market is more food orientated these days but there’s a wide range of independent stalls and cafés if you’re in need of a coffee break. Back on the towpath carry on west towards Primrose Hill.
We stopped off at Gloucester Avenue for lunch at The Engineer (on the corner of Princess Road) followed by a walk up Primrose Hill for some of the best views of the London skyline. I also recommend the very good brunch at Greenberry café, 101 Regent’s Park Road.
Primrose Hill to Little Venice (approx 1 hour)
If you’re feeling energetic re-join the canal at Primrose Hill. From here the towpath skirts the north circle of Regents Park, with views of London Zoo, and continues west to Little Venice - thought to have been named by the poet, Robert Browning. This tranquil stretch of waterway meets the Grand Union Canal and is edged with brightly painted narrowboats boats, barges and water cafés. Stop to enjoy the scenic backdrop of Victorian mansion houses, weeping willow trees and the pretty café at Clifton Nurseries or book a boat tour, through Canal & River Cruises back to Kings Cross.
Studio Open Day
Join me on Thursday, 12 June for an Open Day at my Hackney studio. If you would like to make an appointment to visit please get in touch by email or send me a message from the button below. There’ll be lots of fresh vintage stock for sale, book signings and chatter and it will be great to see you if you can make it.
Until next time…
If you enjoy reading Love Vintage Etc. and want to see it grow please ‘like’ by clicking on the little heart or re-stack symbol. Thank you and lots of love for the new month ahead, Michelle x
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