WHO & WHAT

Prue Trollope, that's me! Creating my store and online store is, I suppose, stepping into a little piece of my world. The fabulous space I have in Mullens Street, Balmain was a great old hardware store for over 75 years, now the nails, dust and rust have been removed and replaced with woollen hooked floor rugs covered in fabulous cabbage roses, tapestry cushions heavy with feathers, vintage furniture, white ceramic roses, divine butterfly mugs made just for me, cotton quilts but not too many, just a few great ones that you haven't seen before, precious woollen hand worked tiny purses and cushions which take your breath away and lots and lots of other treasures. Too many to mention.

How did all this start? Well, I grew up in a family where both parents had their own stores, Dad, with an Antique store and Mum with a homewares and decorating store. Thinking that I would never get into retail, I studied and worked in horticulture and landscape design for a few years which led me to live in Cambodia which was followed by a stint managing a small business in China.

I came back home and set-up a business with my sister, Sarah. We started FLATOUT Australia, home of the FLATOUTbear in 2002. The FLATOUTbears have become a favourite baby toy in Australia and now around the world, they even have their own star-studded fan base (www.flatout.com.au).

In 2007 I set up my own store. All the things in this store are a passion of mine. It's old and new, classic and kitsch but young and fresh too. It's very much my style. Maximilist (definitely not minimalist) and pretty.

Anyway, I do hope you come to visit one day soon. You will find the store easily; just look for the slightly outrageous but oh so pretty hand painted floral awnings over the apple green doors.

X Prue