Ashley Brenninkmeijer founded the Beaux Store in London after an extended stay in the maternity ITU at Queen Charlotte’s over Christmas in 2020. Fluorescent lighting and cold linoleum floors were things she wanted to put far behind her after she was lucky enough to return home.

Home and the people in it became her focus. Surrounding herself with things and people that make her heart sing is the pleasure and enjoyment of life to it’s fullest.

Whilst curating beautiful, meaningful pieces for her own home, she was often put off by the elitism and snooty-ness she found on her sourcing journey. Why are stylish & beautiful objects and experiences so intertwined with inaccessiblity, coldness and condescension?

She decided to do something about that and thus The Beaux Store was born. Because art and beauty (and kindness) should be accessible to everyone.

She chooses pieces that she would want in her own home and is less concerned with “WHO made it” and more concerned with what it is, and how it makes her feel. Ashley hopes you enjoy all of these sustainable, one-of-a-kind heirlooms.

She currently is based in Miami, FL, USA, with plans to return back to London in the near future.

Remember to always ask yourself when collecting meaningful tokens:

“Does it make my heart sing?” 

December 17, 2021:

One year ago today, I tested positive with the Delta variant of covid while 34 weeks pregnant with my second baby, Blue. (Pictured on the left, in my right arm.) The next two weeks were the worst of my life. Our family was torn asunder. Rupert was in a different hospital with severe Covid, my eldest daughter was in Wimbledon with kind family, and I was in Queen Charlottes ITU on breathing support, pregnant, and alone over Christmas… Blue and I almost died from severe covid (Dr. Karen Joash and the ITU Midwives saved our lives.) He had to be delivered early so I wouldn’t deteriorate further as I had 75% lung involvement. We didn’t go home until New Year’s Day. Those two weeks in the sterile hospital alone and not still on earth but not yet dead were literally my darkest.

When I came out of the delirium and depths of near-death…overwhelmed w fluorescent lights and blue walls, and bleach-cleaned floors that wouldn’t stop reminding me of death…all I wanted was a soft rug under my feet, a warm glowing lamp, and art on the walls that made me feel at home. Out of that was actually born the return of the Beaux Store. Because these are the things that make life rich, a life well-lived. Surrounding yourself with things and people that make your heart sing.

So today, on this difficult anniversary and my least fave time of the year, I’m not in the hospital. I’m at home with my beautiful family, and wrapping up all these pieces of art that I love so much to send out to all of you amazing people, that I’ve chosen w my heart, that remind me how a home isn’t a hospital. And I’m so effing grateful 🙌🏼🙏🏼

Thank you for all of your purchases, and I’m so grateful to be apart of your home curating.

xoxo Ashley