Yesterday, I attended a workshop with Argos, ‘a workshop with Argos!?’ I hear you cry, but yes, it’s true, Argos has just opened it’s first ever consumer pop-up shop in London, where they will be hosting a series of exciting events.

Set in New Oxford Street, from the 14th-27th September you can try your hand at an array of crafts including macramé, terrarium making or brush lettering. The workshops are varied, ranging from learning the art of Instagram photography to storytime for the kids. With 17 different events to choose from and prices at just £5 a ticket (of which at least £4 goes to charity) they’re sure to be a hit. The unique pop-up space has been ‘designed for homes that are full of life’. This is the first time customers are able to browse and experience the product before purchase.

At the preview event, myself and some other fellow bloggers attended a macramé workshop, hosted by Katie Mitchel of By-Me London. With a recent resurgence of the macramé trend, we were all very excited to get stuck into trying our hand at making a plant hanger for one of the faux plants available at Argos Home.

Katie’s work is influenced by a love of traditional crafts, handmade textiles, fashion, eclectic interiors and Scandinavian design. This shone through over the course of the event, it was so enjoyable, who knew!? We were taught special knotting techniques and all managed to make a stunning plant hanger to take home. Katie is hosting another event next week, you can learn how to make your own on-trend macramé wall hanging.

Highlights from Argos Home’s new Autumn/Winter 2018 collections were (and will be at all events) on display. The store has been transformed into an interactive ‘home full of life’. Guests attending a session will receive 20% off any Home purchases made at the pop-up.

The Autumn/Winter 2018 new ranges feature new furniture, decorative accessories and tableware. Key design trends on show include Rural Retreat (an autumnal countryside feel), Urban Escape (inspired by Hygge living) and Everyday Luxury (a serene and delicate aesthetic approach). The collections made me crave log fires and cosy socks, I could envisage many of the items sitting perfectly in my home.

The Argos Home collections are designed by the in-house design team to champion the importance of good, affordable design for everyday life. The result is a strong offering of functional and beautiful products, designed for busy people looking to create stylish spaces in their home.

“We place retail and digital innovation at the heart of our business to constantly challenge ourselves on how to deliver an excellent shopping experience for customers. We are therefore delighted this pop-up will bring our collections to life and showcase the new Argos Home designs in a way never seen before.” John Tranter, Argos Home Trading Director.

Check out the schedule of events below, or click here, they all look great. I’ve got my eye on the candle-monogramming class with artist and illustrator Tom Scotcher. The terrarium making classes from Jar and Fern are looking like great fun too, and I might get some early Christmas shopping done, with a touch of screen printing with Jo Dean from The House That Print Built.

Fellow blogger Martha Roberts, is teaching the art of the perfect Shelfie (an artfully styled shelf for those wondering). But, it’s not just an event for grown-ups, little ones can embrace their inner Picasso and design and print their own tote bag. Or join ‘Tales from the Teepee’ where they can join the in-house fox for a very special story time and surprises.

Well done Argos, I am thrilled to see the event prices so low, with most of it going to charity. I have my eye on a few pieces from the new collections, so watch this space.

For those interested, here’s my masterpiece… just a bit proud!

Until next time, Amy x

Written by Amy Davies Pereira of Little House In London. 

Find the Argos pop up at 63-69 New Oxford Street, London, WC1A 1DG. Tickets for workshops can be booked here. All workshop tickets are priced at £5 including VAT plus booking fees, of which at least £4 will go to Argos Home’s charity partner, Alzheimer’s Society. Guests attending a session will also receive 20% off any Home purchases made at the pop-up.

*Although this is a paid collaboration with Argos Home, all views and opinions are my own. I only work with brands I truly love and rate.

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