The Last Word – Micaela Lindsay 

I’m a creative entrepreneur living in a plant-filled flat in West Norwood with my husband, and I’m passionate about creating kind businesses that enrich lives. I’m currently a wedding photographer, online educator and run a purpose-led gifting business, That Counts. 
 

How long have you lived in the area? 

My husband and I moved here from South Africa just over 5 years, and we’ve never left! We moved into a house share in West Norwood and have lived near Gipsy Hill and now have settled near West Dulwich. Since moving here we’ve got married, built our careers, built two businesses, and got a kitten! 

What brought you here? 

Honestly? An advert looking for temporary housemates – but we’ve never left. And those housemates have continued to be close friends – so we’re forever grateful to SpareRoom! 

Do you know your neighbours? 

We do! Throughout lockdown we became even closer with our neighbours in our block of flats. We all stood on our balconies to cheer the NHS, swopped groceries, and checked in on each other when times were tough. It’s a genuine joy and relief to know that we have neighbours who will water our MANY plants, and look after our packages if we’re out.  

Describe your perfect weekend 

I’m often shooting weddings on the weekend, but love to come home to a happy kitten & husband. We’ll spend Sunday having a delicious breakfast with bread from Gails, maybe a wander to the West Norwood feast, and an afternoon spent playing a good boardgame! 

What is your favourite place to eat? 

We absolutely love ordering pizza in from Cellar 107 on Rosendale Road. It arrives in 15 minutes, and it never fails to be absolutely delicious. Our go to order is the Diavola pizza, but with mushrooms! 

Coffee or tea? Where? 

Since I work in Parkhall Workspace, it’s got to be popping downstairs to Volcano Coffee for a delicious latte. If the sun’s out, I’ll persuade some nearby friends to have a spontaneous catch up on the benches outside Parkhall, otherwise I’ll head upstairs to the studio to get some work done. 

Cafe, pub or bar? 

I’d have to pick a cafe…nothing better than a bit of lazy brunch on a Sunday, or a good productive morning with bottomless coffee during the week (Sweet Carolina is West Norwood is perfect for that!). 

What’s your favourite place to go for a drink? 

I’ll have to pick two – because we had our registry office and wedding receptions at both! The Rosendale on Rosendale Road where we went after getting married in Brixton, and the Great North Wood, where we held our wedding reception! Both excellent pubs! 

The best kept secret… 

The shared garden at our flat. It’s big, and full of fruit trees. It’s the perfect hideaway on the weekend when the parks are full, and a great place to have a barbecue during summer. And the plums are delicious! 

Where’s your favourite place to walk? 

Dulwich Park, for sure. The trees are magnificent, the children are cute, and the dogs are entertaining. What more could you want?  
 

Best bargain you’ve ever landed.. 

I’ll have to say our kitten – she’s already been worth so much more than we paid for her. She’s fantastic and we’re so chuffed to finally have a pet! 
 

The book I’m reading at the moment.. 

I’ve just finished reading Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers – such a gripping read, full of heart and a dash of intrigue. And so much of it takes place in South East London which is great! 
 

 
www.micaelakarina.com (photography) 

www.thatcounts.co (gifting)