The ever-inviting Lamington Drive is owned and operated by the Jacky Winter Group, an illustration agency who opened the gallery in August 2008 as a space to exhibit the works of the illustrators they represent. They focus on applied and commercial art and many of the artists are established career artists, so you’ll consistently find artworks of a high standard, such as the noteworthy Kat Macleod, whose glamorously quirky creations can captivate you for hours.

While the style of artists exhibited at Lamington Drive varies, the illustrative nature of the works means they are consistently elaborate, delicately detailed and engrossing. Take your time browsing the artworks, then slip out the back for a lamington before returning for another squiz. On opening nights friendly faces spill into the cobblestone laneway next to the gallery, sipping on wine, munching on lamingtons and just generally enjoying the comfortable atmosphere.

The gallery space itself was designed by architect, Martyn Hook, of Something Together in collaboration with Stuart Geddes and Jeremy Wortsman. It’s not like the typical white-walled galleries where you’re scared to take your hands out of your pockets. It’s all about tactility and the twin-ply cardboard walls are replaced and recycled each month. One part of the wall even opens as a door to the bathroom, so someone might unexpectedly slide out of the wall while you’re in the middle of examining an illustration. The idea behind the space is to mirror the craft-like, tactile nature of applied art and the result is a relaxed, social and downright charming gallery.