If there is one thing I am loving about going part time (and honestly, there are SO MANY THINGS) it’s having the opportunity to get out and about and actually do things! One of those very fun things I got to do recently was meet the very lovely blogger, interior designer and man-about-town Ashley Sutcliffe who owns and operates a very cool little shop in gorgeous Colne called Live Like the Boy, about an hour’s drive north of me.

I think it’s natural that people assume that all the coolest shops and the people who actually know and love design are all in London. In fact, I think there are quite a lot of people who forget about ‘The North’ completely when it comes to interior design. Which is a shame and frustrates me because there is a lot of talent up here dammit! And I’m gonna prove it today.

Meet Ash and his amazingly sweet pup, Stanley.

I mean, when the first story someone tells you is how they had a “wardrobe malfunction” in their local Sainsbury’s and how they had to hide their “not even very trendy blue underpants” from curious onlookers whilst pushing a shopping trolley, that’s pretty much all it takes for me. Ya know when you meet someone and immediately think, ‘Yep, I’m gonna like you…’? THAT.

Ashley’s shop is filled to the brim with absolute magic. There is just so much to see, especially for a magpie like myself. Quirky, retro, vintage, industrial – he’s got it all.

There’s an amazing selection of NLXL wallpaper – faux finishes that look like tin are my favourites although I’m quite partial to the L’afrique archives wallpaper as well. Honestly, you would be hard pressed to not find something you didn’t love.

From cushions to wallpaper to vintage finds to the most curious ephemera, you will find a wealth of hidden gems inside his store.

Also? He carries the BEST CARDS EVER.
I mean check out these amazing lampshades!! What the what!?
Oh but wait. It gets quirkier.
Oh yes, there is certainly something for everyone.
Personally, I couldn’t resist the little Nkuku Kiko brass mirror hanging on the wall below. I’ll share where it ended up in my home soon!

If you get the chance to come ‘oop North’, do give Colne (a lovely town in itself) and Ashley and Stanley a visit and tell them I sent you! (You might even get tea and biscuits like I did – BOOM.)

Live Like the Boy is located at 12 Church Street, Colne, Lancashire, BB8 0LG and is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am – 5pm and Saturdays from 10:30am to 4pm.
And if you can’t get to the shop itself, I have some very good news for you. He also has an online shop so you can peruse all the funky wares from the comfort of your pyjamas. You can also follow him on Twitter and Facebook for all the latest news.
Is this a shop you would like to visit? I’m already planning my return…

Don’t miss a thing!


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