Dear Reader, I want to introduce you to my absolute favourite art shop, run by local students and aspiring artists!

Not My Beautiful House is a local small business based in Kingston, Surrey, in which students from the area run an actual store featuring a collection of art pieces and a variety of craft-related items, handmade by different creators. Not My Beautiful House (or NMBH) is a welcoming community in which artists are invited to share, and sell, their passions with others in the most creative way possible! This store gives artists an opportunity to showcase their art to a public audience, kick-start their careers, and truly express themselves through their work. NMBH also works to inspire young artists in a variety of ways; through regular events, such as “Maker’s Markets”, and workshops, as well as interactive sessions in store.

I decided to speak to Michaela Salvo, the shop’s Gallery Manager and Artist, to gain further insight on the aims of the shop.

When asked about the benefits of shopping small businesses, Michaela responded, “With big businesses, you don’t necessarily know what you’re paying into- but with small businesses, you’re paying for what you see. Almost everything we sell is handmade, excluding a few vintage items, so it’s more sustainable; you know you’re supporting locally based artists.” Additionally, many of their items are unique and different to products found in mainstream stores. Michaela continued, “Not My Beautiful House promotes Kingston University students, any local artists, and we’ve recently branched to artists based in the UK.”

I questioned Michaela about her favourite thing about working there, she answered: “I love that we give platforms to artists to sell their work, no matter what level they’re at: you don’t have to be a specific age, or have a specific level of experience, which is really good! It’s so much fun working here.”

I was also curious as to why it’s named, ‘Not My Beautiful House’, Michaela explained… “It’s named after a lyric in the Talking Heads song; Once in a Lifetime. This place was thought up (and opened) during COVID, and was designed by students who proposed the name, saying that the purpose was to have a place that wasn’t the home that you can enjoy. So it’s not a house- it’s a place where you can go and just be- without the pressures of home; it’s supposed to be an escape.”

Not My Beautiful House essentially houses as many different artists as possible, working in different mediums, for instance clay and textiles, whilst forming an open and collaborative environment, in which artists can actively interact with one another, and even progress their own individual businesses. This allows them to grow, and develop their own skills as they learn from others, and become immersed in such creative surroundings: forming a real sense of community within the art world. Not only does this expose them to new art styles- but we can learn something new too.

Additionally, Michaela explained exactly how they recruit new artists, “We a do a rolling application process, so we’re constantly looking for artists. A panel of three reviews applications, and every application is completely anonymous for the panel; so initially we only see their artwork. This allows us to be a lot more diverse.” Overall, NMBH has considerably more female sellers, consisting of around 70% of their artists. Michaela detailed how this, “keeps against discrimination and encourages diversity.” This appears to have a positive impact on the business, as it stimulates inclusivity in the workplace, as all the panel reviews is your art: eliminating any possible bias.

Speaking with Michaela reminded me why I love the concept so much: by shopping here, you are fuelling artists’ passions and giving them the ability to continue sharing their hard work with others.

Visit Not My Beautiful House, located at Ancient Market, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 1JS to show your support.