A reader recently clued us in to No. 56, a small boutique in Penzance, Cornwall, in England, perched by the coast on a street lined with 18th-century buildings. Inside, owner Carole Elsworth stocks housewares sourced from around the world, including ceramics, stationery, and good-looking cleaning goods plus an in-house line of women’s wear. Though the provenance of the store’s building is unknown, it sports a period fireplace and large shop window, and had recently undergone a renovation—which was about all Elsworth needed before setting up shop: “We wanted to keep the space light, bright, and fresh, to ensure the simple designs of the products could really shine,” says Elsworth. “The period details provide all that is necessary by way of decoration and add a lovely, homey touch.”
Photography by Natalie Coe, courtesy of No. 56.
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For most of her career, Elsworth was a fashion designer who owned an independent label. After setting up shop at No. 56, she returned to her roots and founded Handworked, a women’s wear collection influenced in part by vintage workwear. The line includes dresses, blouses, dusters, and aprons made of natural fabrics.
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For more favorite Shops in Europe, try:
- Shopper’s Diary: Global Homewares from Calmachica in Spain
- Shopper’s Diary: L’Atelier Singulier, Slow-Made Goods in Paris
- Bassett Hyde: Heritage Linens from Italy
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