The Old Cinema

I walked past this place on at least 3 or 4 separate occasions before I decided to go in. How glad I was that I did!
It is like a tardis in there. Room after room and floor upon floor of ‘antiques’ and great bits and bobs. The term ‘antiques’ is quite loosely used here as a lot of the things in here are just good, solid pieces of furniture and re-​purposed or repainted ‘slightly old’ pieces of furniture but it is a great place to look around.
There also seem top be quite a lot of props from old theatres and/​or shows and is just a whole lot of fun to look around and try to convince yourself that you NEED some of them.
The prices do put you off pretty quickly however. I’ve been here about 8 times, spent hours looking at everything on every floor (even almost went up to the ‘private’ floor too) but have never come away with anything as my wallet just doesn’t bulge as much as it obviously needs to.
This place would get a higher rating if more things were more sensibly priced for Mr Average.

Amazing antique furniture. A bit on the pricey side, but an inspiration to visit this shop.

This has got to be one of the more interesting shops on Chiswick High Street. The Old Cinema is London’s only department store selling antiques, vintage and retro furniture, décor, lights and gifts. It’s a great place to come if you’re looking for something to complement the IKEA or whatever brand forms the majority of your household furnishings.
I didn’t go with anything particular in mind but then I think that’s probably the best frame of mind to be in when it comes to this sort of shopping. This way you allow yourself the true novelty of emotion when you realize you’ve found the stuffed owl you never knew you wanted.
I quite liked the look of a few of 1950’s American diner style kitchen stuff, cocktail shakers and drinks trolleys, that sort of thing but on this occasion I left as I came in.
It’s all about taste somewhere like this, it’s eclectic and nothing will appeal to everyone but pop in, have a look around, something probably will.

What a fantastic place. The Old Cinema is literally an old, very old, cinema (with a still-​aging exterior) which now houses thousands of pieces of antique furniture along with vintage fashion and other collectible items. Almost everything is in super condition.
If you like antiques, you’ll have a great time just wandering, sifting and absorbing (more so if you go during the week) but will almost certainly find something you must have. I went in search of a bookcase and came home with a lamp and a trunk.

A real blast from the past this one, Located on Chiswick High Road near the High Road Brasserie, you will find a small and unimpressive entrance to this weird and wonderful collection on nostalgia, antiques, American, art deco and retro furniture and other household items.
It is a labyrinth of corridors, stairways, rooms and mini shops offering an amazing collection of everything old and antique that you may want to buy for your castle.
Go there just for the spectacle, it is a truly amazing experience to walk among all of this clutter and stuff (I wanted to say junk) but I am sure they have some really expensive pieces.
1950’s and 60’s table lamps, fashion, table, chairs and chest of drawers are everywhere, as are the chandeliers — you don’t go here to buy something, you go here to find something.

Walking into this antique/​retro/​vintage emporium is a fresh air of nostalgia. The 1890’s façade does not make absolute justice to the wonders inside. I only say this because from the front it looks small, but inside its like a labyrinth. It really is like getting a glimpse of many different époques all in the same massive store. From art deco to industrial to oriental, vintage fashion and bespoke fireplaces. It is a collection from around the world were the manager re assured me, the best efforts are made only to get the best pieces. My mother was astonished to see similar pieces she remembers from her childhood in a remote village back in El Salvador. If I had the money to afford their prices my back account would have had some serious damage. An amazing mid-​century bureau would have set me bank £400, or an old ‘Shell’ acrylic sign £165, any how it is very much worth it just to go and have a look around, it is an inspiring and eccentric world.