Canberra is slowly becoming a hot spot to visit when it comes to buying one of a kind and unusual items. Art boutiques, small markets with handmade and lovely crafted pieces and never before seen bookshops where you can wine and dine while reading alluring titles are all part of a new shopping scene in Australia’s capital. These are our recommendation for you:
Bisonhome
Brian Tunks created a place where you will fall in love with ceramics! You will also look at the art of making a glassware with different eyes. Tucked in the suburb of Pialligo this store offers everything from vases to tea bowls, from plates to mixing bowls and serving platters. Brian designs all the pieces himself, but cooperates with studios in the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and India. The simple and clear aesthetic of his ceramics and glass pieces as well as the inspiration, come from the fact he has studied ancient history and archaeology at the Australian National University.
His post-graduate training included archaeological digs in the Middle East excavating very important Hellenistic site. The snippets of this experience are part of traditional elements in his artwork. You will enjoy Bisonhome, don’t miss it!
Bisonhome Flagship Store
6/8 Beltana Rd Pialligo,
Canberra ACT 2609
Australia
Hustle & Scout
From the vintage to the sustainable pieces to the handmade and the up-cycled, lots of good things you will find at this seasonal market. A little off the mainstream, but still high-end is how people see it.
Founded in 2013, Hustle & Scout is a regular twilight market presenting the best in independent Australian designer fashion. Since then it has grown and today this is a huge event whose part is also a local streetfood showcase The Forage.
Little National Hotel,
21 National Circuit, Barton
The Curatoreum
Independent book and gift stores at the National Portrait Gallery are the next stop not to miss. They say they have quirky gifts! We say go, see and be surprised!
This, everything but usual, book and gift shop is filled with books, toys, homewares and jewellery. Our advice is –go to the stationery corner and it will make you day.
More than 19,000 titles online and in-store are there for the bookworms with topics that cover everything from art, design and photography to history, literature and kid's photo books. The Curatoreum stores also offer unique pieces of art such as jewellery, glass and wooden pieces, as well as textiles – all made by local designers.
PO Box 4335
Manuka ACT 2603
Australia
Muse
Remember the wining, dining and reading part of our intro story? Well, this is the place we were telling you about and if you find yourself in the funky neighbourhood of Kingston spend one afternoon here, you won’t regret! Co-owner Paul Eldon made this cafe, wine bar and bookshop, all in one, after living in Beijing and taking inspiration from the East. We are not sure what you will like more – their bookshelves made of oak or old Afghan kilims, or more than two thousand titles to enjoy. Every day, some of the books are on sale!
They also serve food from early in the morning until late at night and host many events all year long, featuring some of Australia's top writers, politicians, artists and winemakers. You, surely, don’t want to miss that.
EAST Hotel
Cnr Canberra Ave and Giles St.
Kingston ACT 2603