Destination Design: London

Cue: drumroll!  I’m about to give you a pretty insane list of the best design locations in my favorite city, London. If you missed my shouting it from the rooftops, I was featured in the Design Destinations section in the current issue of California Home + Design magazine. It’s three (!!!) pages covering my recent trip to London, which is a total dream come true. For years, I have wanted to contribute to a magazine, but was always turned down because I’m in publicity (essentially, the other side of the coin). I worked so hard, searching high and low, and did not stop until I had covered—on foot I might add—practically every neighborhood in town. I took so many photos, and had so much content, that I could have taken over the entire issue! But since they had to edit them down, I wanted to share my expanded list of places that weren’t included, and more photos of those that were.  I hope you enjoy a little virtual tour of London, and be sure to check out their websites, as many of them are shopable. After all, the holidays are just around the corner!

California Home + Design Fall 2016 issue on stands now.  All photos are mine, something I am very proud of!

EAST LONDON

Pitfield, 31-35 Pitfield Street, London, N1 6HB, +44 (0)20 7490 6852
An ecclectic mix of new and vintage, this is a must visit! From teacups to velvet sofas, there is something for everyone. They even have a cafe.

Present & Correct, 23 Arlington Way, London, EC1R 1UY, 020 7278 2460
The chicest office and desk accessories I ever did see.

Dar Leone, 1 Chadwell Street, London EC1R 1UX,  + 44 (0) 78 893 896 70
A tiny boutique that packs a huge punch, carrying fabrics and pillows from Africa and around the world. I came back with one of these gorgoues foutas, that would make the perfect gift.

Quill, 37 Amwell Street, London EC1R 1UR, +44 (0) 20 7833 8562
London’s answer to Sugar Paper in LA. In fact, they sell a lot of fab US brands! If you love stationery, this is your place.

Curiousa and Curiousa, 39 Amwell Street, London EC1R 1UR, +44 (0)1629 826284
This boutique showcases two independent labels: Blackpop, featuring distressed home furnishing, such as the collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery deconstructing its world-renowned Tudor collection of paintings to create wallcoverings and fabrics, and Gobstopper, hand-blown glass lighting that is out of this world.

CENTRAL LONDON

Pentreath & Hall, 17 Rugby Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1N 3QT ,+44 (0)20 7430 2526
This store is EVERYTHING! Owned by designers Ben Pentreath and Bridie Hall, it is a curated collection of antiques and new homewares that will make your home beautiful.

I came home with one of these alphabet brush pots and have since ordered two for gifts!

Montes & Clark was having a pop-up shop here. They specialize in  Otomi fabrics and Mexican interiors. Of course I came home with two embroidered hand towels.

Haymarket Hotel, 1 Suffolk Pl, London SW1Y 4HX, United Kingdom
Another Firmdale paradise, it is really hard to go wrong with any of Kit Kemp’s hotel fantasies. The Haymarket is centrally located in the theatre district, not far from Mayfair.

The Wolseley, 160 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EB, 020 7499 6996
I had not been in London two hours, when I found myself having tea with a friend at this gorgeous restaurant. It is traditional, but not stuffy, and they are open from breakfast to late night.

Dover Street Market, 18-22 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4DG, +44 20 7518 0680
Where fashion meets art, this is essentially a shopable museum. I was slightly intimidated as it’s tres chic, but well worth a stop in if only for the cheeky Comme de Garcons display.

WEST LONDON

The Laslett Hotel, 8 Pembridge Gardens, London W2 4DU, +44 20 7792 6688
A fab boutique hotel in Notting Hill. Read my full post here.

Paul Smith Westbourne House, 122 Kensington Park Rd, London W11 2EP, +44 20 7727 3553
Westbourne Grove in general is a gorgeous tree-lined shopping district near Notting Hill. The Paul Smith boutique, named Westbourne House, used to be the brand’s flagship store. It’s housed in a fab old mansion, and the design is equally as on point as the clothing.