Contributing editor to The Gloss PENNY MCCORMICK chooses her favourite interior design SHOPS IN LONDON
1. Colour & Print: Designers Guild
The King’s Road is home to many interior stalwarts (Heal’s, Peter Jones, Habitat, India Jane) but Designers Guild remains a favourite. The sprawling flagship store, established in 1970 by siblings Trisha Guild and Simon Jeffreys, sings with colour and creative ideas. Designer collaborations with William Yeoward, Ralph Lauren, Christian Lacroix and a Royal Collection are tempered with affordable bed and bath collections and a burgeoning accessories line (scarves, stationery, ceramics and tableware), while the furniture dotted throughout is by Vitra and Knoll as well as other Scandinavian, French and Italian designers. They run frequent in-store paint and paper workshops (there are a few in October and November). You’ll most likely find me rummaging in the remnant basket. Look out for their sales of ex-display furniture and fabric which offer fantastic bargains.
Designers Guild, 265-277 King’s Road, SW3; www.designersguild.com
2. The Accessory Layer: Pentreath & Hall
Pentreath & Hall is a treasure chest in bookish Bloomsbury. Although it’s tiny, and looks like someone’s front room, it’s crammed full of china, pictures and knick-knacks as selected by architect-of-the moment Ben Pentreath and his friend Birdie Hall, an artist. This is a place to pick up finishing touches or to start an interior make-over. Pentreath has been quietly cutting a swathe via his influential blog, gorgeous Instagram feed and coffee table books. Do look out for his soon-to-be published book English Houses. His forte is for mixing colour, texture and pattern. Suzanis jostle for space amid glassware, stationery and soft furnishings. While you’re in the vicinity visit neighbouring stores – Dark Room London and Folk Clothing, while Ciao Bella is a good local Italian, post-purchase.
Pentreath & Hall, 17 Rugby Street, WC1; www.pentreath-hall.com
3. Modern Electic: SCP
SCP was founded by Sheridan Coakley more than 30 years ago with the simple aim to make beautiful, functional design products that will last. At the time it was anti-chintz and it still retains its minimalist restraint. Championing British designers like Jasper Morrison, James Irvine and Matthew Hilton, SCP has also exhibited at Salone del Mobile. Located in the so-called Shoreditch Design Triangle (stay at Ace Hotel if you visit) it sells over 200 contemporary brands such as Terence Woodgate, Michael Marriot, Timorous Beasties and Tom Dixon. If you want contemporary designer classics you can’t go wrong here; what’s more, the staff are very approachable – not often the case in design emporiums of this calibre.
SCP Shoreditch, 135-139 Curtain Road, EC2; www.scp.co.uk
4. Bed & Bath: Cologne & Cotton
Marylebone High Street is a favourite Saturday haunt for me. You might walk past Cologne & Cotton thinking it is a rather twee children’s store. Don’t. It’s a real gem and has been going strong for 24 years. Its USP is beautiful cotton and linen at affordable prices. There’s a French vibe to the décor and the linens, with waffle weaves, toile de jouy and elegant candle stripes predominating. They stock everything from bathroom basics, lingerie and a surprising edit of niche scents from Annick Goutal, Alvarez Gomez, Côte Bastide, Claus Porto soaps et al, which makes it good for present shopping too. They often have great interior pieces such as occasional tables, lamps and lacquered boxes. My theory is if you love Zara Home, you’ll love Cologne & Cotton.
Cologne & Cotton, 88 Marylebone High Street, W1; www.cologneandcotton.com
5. Aladdin’s Cave: Atelier Abigail Ahern
A Girl’s Guide to Decorating by Abigail Ahern is a modern classic and should be on every keen decorista’s bookshelf. Ahern’s forte is for pushing boundaries, tearing up rulebooks and glamming spaces with bold accessories and faux flowers (they are very convincing!). If you like baroque ‘n’ roll as design inspo, then this boutique will delight. There are plenty of flora and fauna inspired accessories. In among the pelican, crocodile and owl lamps, the wallpaper selection aces on three-dimensional effects, while the Capri bar cart is a modern classic. Atelier Abigail Ahern also combines a flower and design academy. The next masterclass is on December 3
Atelier Abigail Ahern,137 Upper Street, Islington, N1; www.abigailahern.com
6. Children’s Rooms: Dragons Of Walton Street
If you lament the dearth of traditional furniture for children, then Dragons of Walton Street will redress the balance. Reputed to be Diana, Princess of Wales’s favourite children’s store, other yummy mummies such as Samantha Cameron and Sophie Dahl are clients. They sell handcrafted and hand-painted furniture: think Moses baskets, four-poster upholstered cots, exquisite dolls’ houses that morph into side tables and beautiful rocking horses. They also have the licence to recreate Beatrix Potter, Flower Faeries and Paddington illustrations on their furniture which gives a clue to the overall ethos. These are top-notch heritage designs to be handed down. Formerly on Walton Street, they are now tucked up in the fourth floor of Harrods, in the nursery department.
Dragons of Walton Street, Harrods, 87–153 Brompton Road, SW1.
7. Interesting Antiques: The Old Cinema
I came across The Old Cinema when I visited the Chiswick Auctions for a preview. As the name suggests, the Old Cinema is just that and dates to the 1890s. Now it is dedicated to vintage, retro and antique furniture, sourced from around the world. Many items are one-offs and as such it can be a bit of a hit or miss. When you find a hit though it’s a real high! The edit includes mid- century pieces, Italian sconces, chairs, lots of letters, some jewellery and an enviable selection of Art Deco dressing tables – perfect for adding a sophisticated touch to any bedroom. Good for a nosey of a Saturday morning.
The Old Cinema, 160 Chiswick High Rd, W4; www.theoldcinema.co.uk
8. One-stop Luxury Shopping: Design Centre Chelsea Harbour
Buzzing and vibrant, on the inside and out, this is London’s design hub. Formerly for interior designers and trade only, the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour is a one-stop shop. With 100+ showrooms, more than 600 luxury brands as well as a bright, airy Design Café (to take stock) and an RIBA bookshop, the centre also offers personal shopping consultations. There’s an information desk with interactive pathfinders and a virtual tour. Soft furnishings, lighting, accessories, hardware, tiles and more are part of the remit with Brunschwig & Fils, Cole & Son, Lelièvre, Pierre Frey and Tim Page carpets some of the highlights.
Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, Lots Road, London, SW10; www.dcch.co.uk
Penny McCormick
This article appeared in a previous issue, for more features like this, don’t miss our December issue, out Thursday, December 1.
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