Terribly exciting: I just had a sneak peek inside the new Anthropologie store, which opens its Regent Street doors to London on Friday. For the full story, see this week's Time Out magazine. In the meantime, enjoy some of my snaps...
This hanging teabag installation in the window (above) reminds me of the Rockefeller store Christmas windows I blogged about when I was in New York last year.
Birdy door-knobs, above, and beautifully-bound Penguin classics, below.
The enormous dressing rooms are surely the most spacious in London. The end cubicle (if you could even call it that) resembles a small office. You could seriously throw a party in there.
And finally, the magnificent afternoon tea spread complete with a never-ending supply of cakes, tarts and biscuits. I mastered the fine art of hovering over the strawberry tarts...
And the hand-stitched grand opening sign...
Anthropologie
158 Regent Street
London, W1B 5SW
Tel. 7529 9800
Nearest tube: Piccadilly
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.
Opening hours:
Monday to Wednesday 10am-7pm
Thursday 10am-8pm
Friday to Saturday 10am-7pm
Sunday 12 noon-6pm
Finally! can't think of a store more suited to the UK than Anthropologie. LLGxx
Posted by: Liberty London Girl | October 21, 2009 at 10:31 PM
Oh my, this place looks amazing!
Posted by: deb | October 22, 2009 at 12:24 AM
AAAAAAAAAAAAARGH! I've been waiting for this for so long! Sadly there won't be any tarts when I got here, but I'm pretty sure there will be plenty of other (non-edible) delights for me to drool over.
Posted by: Helena | October 22, 2009 at 07:53 AM
Not you as well! I'm wailing that no PR knows me - I need to go on a campaign!!
So glad it is here now xx
Posted by: Make Do Style | October 22, 2009 at 09:21 AM
oh i'm super jealous you got to do this! i've been waiting patiently for the store to open. it is a must stop when i visit home in the states. i'm little worried about the prices though...so much prettiness will surely cost.
Posted by: abby | October 22, 2009 at 09:43 AM
I'm so happy to hear it's opening tomorrow just in time for my London visit! Will have to rearrange my plans to fit this in on Sunday. I have such fond memories of my first visit in New York!
Posted by: bridebug | October 22, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Squeal! so excited it is nearly ready! I cant get there until next week so Very happy to have your sneak preview lovely Birdie!
Sarah x
Posted by: sarah - jane down the lane | October 22, 2009 at 10:34 AM
wow. oh, wow. it does look like a veritable treasure trove. is it very expensive?
that afternoon tea looks like the stuff of dreams alone.
Posted by: nath | October 22, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Oh, I am so excited! The shop looks wonderful, and it's scary how much I want to buy just from looking at your pictures! Thanks for the sneak peek :)
Posted by: skirmishofwit | October 22, 2009 at 11:12 AM
Congrats on finally getting one of their stores in London! :-) It really is hard to stay away once you've been inside. I LOVE that tea spread in the window; it just makes me want to go and sit there and enjoy the feast.
The classic novels on the bookshelf look absolutely lovely. I just saw them at the Rockefeller Center location earlier this week and if I had the space, I'd buy one of each!
Posted by: Karen | October 22, 2009 at 02:06 PM
I love love love those door handles! Want them so much!! Arrrrrgh!
Posted by: Zoe, Conversation Pieces | October 22, 2009 at 03:23 PM
Oh wow. Looks like they went all out for the big city. I love all of those little drawers.
Posted by: Bri | October 22, 2009 at 04:57 PM
Thanks for all your comments everyone - it's all quite fabulous.
Nath - look, prices vary *greatly*. You can pick up a Nathalie Lete plate for 24 quid, but prices on some jackets go up to 400 quid. Without meaning to sound like their PR, there's something for every budget, but I was a little bit scared of the some of the pricier items. xx
Posted by: Top Bird @ Wee Birdy | October 22, 2009 at 10:49 PM
I'm so excited, thanks for the preview. I think my money is going to disappear quickly once I get inside
Posted by: Jo | October 22, 2009 at 11:24 PM
Damnit, why didn't I know about this and offer them my vintage cake stands to use for that delicious looking afternoon tea spread?
www.trulymadlysweetly.co.uk
Posted by: TrulyScrumptious | October 22, 2009 at 11:46 PM
Curses. I wish I was in London. Tired of life downunder...
Posted by: loulou | October 23, 2009 at 01:51 AM
I'm so thrilled that Anthro is opening today, but my heart just fell when you said they have a vertical garden. I'm guessing this is a Partick Blanc instilation and as a result will be so utterly un sustainable. The water use in his previous instilations has been enough to make you cry. Fingers crossed that it isn't the same here.
Posted by: philippa | October 23, 2009 at 09:49 AM
i love anthro!
Posted by: jen | October 23, 2009 at 10:09 AM
I've already gone all crazy looking at your photos. Imagine me in the physically in the store! I'll be squealing with delight at every turn. Very very envious...xx
Posted by: the likkle girl who wurves pwetty things | October 23, 2009 at 01:54 PM
Phillipa, it is indeed a vertical living garden, but according to the Anthropologie press office it is being 'fed' by rainwater gathered on the rooftop of the store. Apparently very sustainable! xx
Posted by: Top Bird @ Wee Birdy | October 23, 2009 at 02:41 PM
I am so excited I can't wait to visit as I have never been to the US so have not yet experienced the joy of Anthropologie first hand! Wipppeee I am so excited!
Posted by: Helen Cuthbert | October 23, 2009 at 10:33 PM
I can't wait to go there!! But need to save some money first. I don't think there is a equivalent shop like this in London.
Posted by: Margarita | October 23, 2009 at 10:39 PM
I LOVE those bird door knobs! need to get down there quick smart!! x
Posted by: Patchwork Harmony | October 28, 2009 at 06:02 PM
I'm so happy for all you Londoners that you're going to get your own Anthro shop! I'm lucky; we have two stores on Long Island in NY and I get into the gigantic store in Rockefeller Center pretty often. It's rare that I can afford to buy what I really want from them, but the stores are so beautifully and creatively put together that it's fun to just wander through and make a wish list of what I would buy if I came into some money. Also, I always end up coming away with loads of ideas for crafty projects!
Posted by: *gemmifer* | November 06, 2009 at 02:46 AM