The Andalusian Way

Spain is a rich source of ideas for the home, particularly in the vibrant market town of Estepona. Amanda Burton reports

THE Costa del Sol has more than 10 million visitors during the summer, and the towns and villages stretched along the coastline all have market days, a fabulous source of inspiration for any interior designer. Spain at its most compelling is rich in a cultural heritage that includes Moorish, Catholic and Moroccan influences, combined with a true passion for life, and all these colourful influences appear on market day.

Estepona market, held in the Avenida Juan Carlos every Wednesday, is packed with seoras haggling over prices. One can find the usual saffron, olives, nuts and olive oil, as well as wonderful, brightly- coloured ceramic bowls and jugs in any size at prices from 50p to GBP 3. Good quality striped canvas from 50p per metre and aromatic strings of garlic and dried chillies are great and cheap ways of adding colour to a winter kitchen.

Take a short stroll through the narrow streets of Estepona to the workshop of Pepe the shoemaker, who as well as making wonderful leather riding boots, also makes traditional Andalusian hunting stools. Made in two sizes, these versatile and lightweight leather and pine stools can be folded up and held over the shoulder with a stylish leather strap.

Very chic and easy to carry, and between GBP 15 and GBP 20.

Just by the Plaza de Flores, a beautiful flower-lined square, is Maduarte Decoration - a shop which offers some interesting accessories from around Spain. Huge hurricane lamps, which are ideal for the garden, baskets made by local craftsmen and contemporary glassware.

For real bargain hunters there is the Poligono Industrial Estate in the north of Estepona, which has an abundance of artisans. Francisco Leonicio is a local potter, who specialises in different glazes. Using red clay from Northern Spain, each piece is handmade with a variety of oxides to create unusual finishes.

Francisco is also well known for his hand-painted tiles, and along with more contemporary designs, he also works with historic 18th century references of local Andalusian heritage. Prices for handmade pots start at GBP 6 and tiled mural panels at GBP 150.

A short drive down the Autovia del Mediterraneo (N340), close to San Pedro, is Antiguedades Cavon, a delightful salvage warehouse for the intrepid explorer.

Propped up along the exterior wall lie massive oak studded doors from local fincas (farmhouses); inside you can find Andalusia's agricultural heritage recycled into interesting textural homewares. Dark oak furniture lies side by side with tinware lamps and a selection of old irons. There are piles of wooden washboards which could be hung like paintings to create a fantastic textured effect in any home. Antique water pots, shoe laths - the list is endless, the prices reasonable - from GBP 12 to GBP 800 and they also restore items.

Benehavis is one of the classic Andalusian pueblo blancos (white hill top villages), a few kilometres up in the hills from San Pedro. In keeping with other hill towns, it is made up of a maze of quaint whitewashed alleyways, interspersed with tumbling bougainvillaea and has attracted a number of artists and sculptors.

David Marshall, a Scottish metal sculptor, has lived in Spain for 30 years and has his mountain studio here. His work with brass and aluminium takes its inspiration from organic forms. From a prototype, David makes a mould in casting sand and then pours molten aluminium or brass into it. When cool, he hand-files, welds and polishes each piece. I loved his aluminium bookends and the brass and aluminium bowls.

Prices start at around GBP 100.

Market days Monday: Torrox (Plaza Almedina, Avenida Esperantos), Marbella (nr soccer stadium on road to Ojen) Tuesday: Motril, Nerja (old fairground), Fuengirola (fairground) Wednesday: Urb. El Calypso (Mijas Costa), Estepona (Avenida Juan Carlos) Thursday: Malaga (Avenida Europa), Torremolinos (El Calvario), San Pedro Friday: Benalmadena (Arroya de la Miel) Saturday:

Salobrena, Mijas Costa, El Rastro, Pueto Banus (bullring), Coin (Plaza Bermundez) Sunday: Nerja (Fairground), Malaga City (La Roseleda), Fuengirola Port*, Estepona Port*, Sabanillas (boot fair), Sotogrande Port* * Arts and crafts Address book Hunting stools: Artesania Conarpe, C/. San Cayetano no. 4, 29680

Estepona. Tel: 0034 95 280 1216 Accessories: Maduarte Decoration, C/.

Barcelona no. 4, 29680 Estepona.

Tel: 0034 95 280 6105 Pottery: Ceramica La Chimenea, C/. El Cerrillo, 6 - Poligono Industrial Estate, 29680 Estepona.

Tel: 0034 95 279 4475 Prices are guidelines only Getting the goods home lSmall items can fit into your suitcase, the standard luggage allowance with British airways is 23 kilos. Excess is chargeable at the rate of GBP 4.43 per kilo over and above this allowance. lIberia offers a cargo facility at Malaga Airport and charges a flat fee of 3,900 pesetas for each item plus 178 pesetas per kilo. lCavon can arrange shipping for any items purchased through them. Price varies according to the size of the items purchased and delivery generally takes between one and three weeks. lPrima European is a large overland operation who have offices in Estepona, Malaga and Alicante, London and Manchester. Tel 0034 95 229 0299 lFor larger commercial quantities, David Kinnear who is based in Estepona offers an export service. Tel: 0034 95 279 4863

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