On a wintery autumn afternoon with wind blowing the driving rain in all directions, nothing could be more welcome than stepping into the harmonious environment of Belsize Park’s Coco Home Style.
Owner Corinne Bonnet-Vittet, who moved from Paris to London four years ago, greets me with a smile and offers me an espresso, served in a cute glass cup and saucer, from a range that is also sold in the shop.
With lighting that is both flattering and bright enough for browsing, and a range of homewares in any colour as long as it’s beige, cream or grey, this is interiors chic done French style.
“It’s very much personal take on French style. I wouldn’t be able to sell something I didn’t like,” says Bonnet-Vittet.
“I try to stock everything you would need in a house. The style is classic, shabby chic with a bit of modern as well. Always in natural tones, grey, beige.”
She’s not lying, even the baby selection is in neutrals, with an array of taupe teddy bears, beige gingham money boxes and a range of baby perfume.
“Yes, in France we fragrance the babies,” laughs Bonnet-Vittet. “I usually need to explain that to British people to sell it. They often say ‘but babies already smell like babies!’ I do have more and more French customers as well though.”
Baby perfume aside, the children’s range is one of the shop’s bestsellers for stylish christening gifts.
Also popular is the tableware, in particular the huge coffee bowls, which many customers love for their nostalgic reminder of teenage French exchanges.
“The range of home fragrances by Mathilde M. are my absolute bestseller, they’re very nice, quite unique. Voltige especially. All the fragrances are made in France. They also do clay scent decorations, which you can spray and hang in your rooms or put in drawers.”
The brand has been refined over the past year since the shop opened in December 2013, a realisation of Bonnet-Vittet’s long-held dream to open an interiors shop.
She found the perfect spot in Belsize Park by chance.
“I was having dinner with my husband and my daughter right in front of the shop on the terrace that summer and I thought it was the perfect situation,” says Bonnet-Vittet.
“I wanted to stay in north London because I really like this area. What I like about Steeles Village is that I’ve had a lot of support from the shops in the area. I was made very welcome when I opened.”
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