Q: I’m currently planning a trip to London in June and although I have been to London a few times (and lived there for a year in college and attended the LSE), I’m checking your blog for the new and fun. This trip won’t afford me much time for shopping because I’m travelling with my boyfriend and two of our teenage nephews, but I do plan to skip the Royal Artillery Museum for a bit of shopping.
I am planning to focus on the W1 area (Do Shop, Liberty, Mint, Contemporary Applied Arts Gallery), and would love any additional suggestions for home décor stores in that area. Thanks! - Lisa, Phoenix, Arizona.
Hi Lisa,
Wow, travelling with two teenage boys – you’ve certainly got your work cut out for you. But in terms of interiors shopping in the W1 area, you’re off to an excellent start with Do, Liberty, Mint and the CAA shop. Here are some others to add to your must-see list:
Lifestyle Bazaar
A relative newcomer to Carnaby Street’s shopping area, Lifestyle Bazaar specialises in design-led products sourced from around the world. And thanks to its French owners, it has a plethora of Gallic design, including Atelier LZC’s vibrant homewares collection (think birds and flowers), Jean Luc Le Deun’s innovative lighting and Leonor Mataillet’s gorgeous print cushions. There’s also a great line-up of British designers including Michelle Mason (retro-style organic prints and china egg candlesticks), Soop Groop’s homewares with humour (check out their ready-meal plates) and W2’s innovative London-icon range (I love their English Heritage blue-plaque collection).
10 Newburgh Street
London W1F7RN
Nearest tube: Oxford Circus
Skandium
Quite literally, Scandi-cool heaven. Skandium is the ultimate shopping destination for Scandinavian design, with an impressive line-up of furniture, lighting, glassware, ceramics, textiles, kitchenware and books. It has two stores in London, one of which is located on Marylebone High Street in W1 (an excellent street for shopping and eating), as well as the Marimekko concept store on St Christopher’s Place.
86 Marylebone High Street
London W1U 4QS
Nearest tube: Bond Street
Marimekko
16-17 St Christopher's Place
London W1U 1NZ
Nearest tube: Bond Street
Heal’s
A traditional British homewares brand, Heal’s Tottenham Court Road flagship store has been operating since 1840. They stock a range of brands and designers including Clarissa Hulse and Sophie Conran, as well as their own classic brand of homewares. Keep an eye out for the Heal’s Discovers Designers range, which features new products by up-and-coming designers including Sam Aloof (gorgeous scented candle range), Royal College of Art graduate Ella Smith (graphic rugs and cushions) and Jessica Haigh (quirky knitted cushion covers).
196 Tottenham Court Road
London W1
Nearest tube: Goodge St
Habitat
Classic design and homewares mecca. Check out new Spring/Summer products such as the vibrant Sadie drinkware range (£9 for jug), the Zen-like Utopian melamine picnicware range (starting at £2 for a beaker), and Hus Mosaffar’s delicate porcelain teacup tealight holder (£5).
196-199 Tottenham Court Road (next door to Heal’s)
London W1T 7PJ
Nearest tube: Goodge Street
121-123 Regent Street
London W1
Nearest tubes: Piccadilly and Oxford Circus
John Lewis
OK, so it’s a predictable and middle-of-the-road department store, but their homewares section is well worth checking out. I like their extensive collection of bed linen (although coming from the States, you’ve got much better –and waaay more affordable – options over there).
John Lewis
Oxford Street
London W1A 1EX
Nearest tubes: Oxford Circus and Bond Street
Also, don’t miss Muji for their minimalist and understated range of homewares (head downstairs at the Carnaby Street store) and Beyond the Valley for quirky design pieces like cuddly cloud cushions, laser-cut decorative mirrors and Jake Phipps’ Jeeves Hat Light.
Muji
41 Carnaby Street
London W1V 1PD
Nearest tube: Oxford Circus
Beyond the Valley
2 Newburgh Street
London W1
Nearest tube: Oxford Circus
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.
Beyond the Valley
As for your teenage nephews (I'm thinking 13 or 14?), I’m sure you’ve already got that side of things sorted, but may I suggest the Tower of London, London Walks’ Jack the Ripper walk, the Ancient Egyptian mummy room at The British Museum (they’ll freak at the mummified cats), and the Doctor Who exhibition at Earl's Court Exhibition Centre.
If all else fails, the awesome Apple store on Regent Street should keep them occupied while you duck across the road to check out Liberty. Oh, and icecream. Try the legendary Knickerbocker Glory at Fortnum & Mason or go for one of the more spectacular sundaes (impressive in terms of size and scale) at the Harrods Ice Cream Parlour.
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