Oxford has so much going for it, green spaces, wonderful architecture, tolerant and relaxed citizens from all over the world, fantastic pubs… however it is generally low in what I’d term as “cute independent shops”.¬† I think it probably has a lot to do with very high rents in the city. Well here we have one! I’m guessing it’s called Comma because of the Oxford Comma? That’s pretty cool.
They invited me over to their launch on Friday evening. There’s so much good stuff here. Work by talented British illustrators such as Gemma Correll, Ben Javens, Rob Ryan, plus Chronicle Books, Maria Dahlgren trays, Yoshitomo Nara postcards, Jonathan Adler ceramics… and so on! All-in-all a fantastic selection. Some of these artists work I have only ever had the chance to see online so it’s a real treat to see things in person.
Gemma Correll mural. In the cabinet to the right of the mural are some vintage things. (By the way that cabinet reminded me of the one in the last picture here.)
For kids too.
This is the shop from outside (the sign was painted by Ben Javens). The location is a short distance from the city centre out to the East (where I live). If you are visiting Oxford you could either get a no. 4 bus up Iffley Road (ask to get off at the Magdalen Arms stop) or you could walk up Iffley Road, it might take you about half an hour from the very centre if you amble. There is also the Cowley Road which is in parallel to Iffley Road which has things like charity shops, cafes, and multicultural eateries. A few doors down from the shop is the aforementioned Magdalen Arms which has had rave reviews for its food so maybe you could stop in there afterwards for refreshment.
Lots of interesting cards and paper, it’s a gift one-stop-shop. Speaking of which…
This is what I bought for my aunt whose birthday is coming up, a Hilary Grant pillow, a set of Gemma Correll Kitties postcards, and a Lisa Jones card. The perpetual calendar by Chronicle Books is for me :)
As might be obvious I do really like to travel but sometimes home feels best. I had a really great local weekend. I visited that shop on Friday, was at the OX4 festival on Saturday, and on Sunday I visited the pop-up Rapture music shop and Reign vintage clothing (where I bought two handknit scarves, £8 for both). All this within less than 5 minutes cycle ride of my house. Nice.
16 Comments
Great insight into Comma, looking forward to a visit myself. Did have an invite to the opening event but wasn’t able to make it.
Great site you have here.
Wow, I’m so pleased you were there to get some great pics and write a fantastic review of the place! I was also going to go along to the launch on Friday evening, but I was feeling pretty ill and run down with cold, so did end up going. I will definately make a visit this coming weekend though, it looks fantastic!
Ooooh i’m new here and i really like what i see… / ~_< \ xxx
Nice! Looks like one of those great places where you know you’ll always be guaranteed to find a present when you need one. x
Looks gorgeous – well done to all involved! Wish I lived nearer though!
never knew that the oxford comma actually had a name! thanks for the enlightenment :)
what a quaint shop – just my kind of shops. love those bottles wrapped in the beautiful paper!
Wow – looks brilliant; I’ll have to take a detour on my way home one evening this week.
:-)
wow, yes! lucky aunt. oxford is such a nice town but i always always get lost there – thanks for the directions!
Oh I’d absolutely love to visit that shop! Seems like they sell all my favourites; Sukie, Rob Ryan and so. So cool! I’ve visited Oxford once some years ago and totally loved it, it’s such a charming town. In my next visit I’ll surely go visit this shop too.
Greetings from Iceland from your frequent reader :)
Mira xx
it looks like a very nice place! I like your observation of how a ‘local’ weekend can be best – you just have to get yourself to trying some new things and visiting new places even when you are at home.
Looks like a great shop! Will definitely have to make a visit there soon!
Rob, rebecca, Anne, Caroline, Zoe, elisabetha, Rebecca, Mlle Paradis, Mira, tschitschi, and Kate: Thanks for your comments, it’s a great shop isn’t it! I’m looking forward to my next visit :)
That shop looks wonderful – will have to visit when I’m next in Oxford. I love the name!!
Hi
We are coming to Oxford this Saturday for a bit of Christmas Shopping and a night at The Old Bank Hotel. I love the look of Comma, but keen to find some other boutique’s/independents to visit, also a good restaurant suggestion much appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Hi Emma, http://www.northlightdesign.co.uk/ on the High Street is always worth a look, as is the Covered Market, there is a small haberdashery shop http://darnitandstitch.com/ that sells pretty things too. The restaurant in the Old Bank is usually good, there’s the Magdalen Arms next to Comma which people rave about, just outside Oxford is The Mole Inn which is one of my favourites http://moleinntootbaldon.co.uk/, and The Anchor is great too http://www.theanchoroxford.com/ Otherwise Oxford has things like Jamie’s Italian, and lots of Indian and Chinese places. I hope you have a good trip! :)
Top tips – thank you so much.