London, Next Time

One of my favorite parts of traveling is leaving with a list that’s even longer than the one I arrived with. You know what you’d do differently as well. While my time in London was so short that I don’t think I’d do anything differently, I am looking forward to going back. Rather than let this list sit on my computer, I’m sharing it here—for my future self and for anyone else planning a design-focused trip to London. Next time, I also hope to be able to see my friend Kate Loudoun-Shand.

This list includes recommendations from:

My good friend Kelley McWhirter, who lived in London for over a dozen years and let us stay at her flat, as well as Ben F Wagner, a graphic designer I worked with in Brooklyn, Public Regard, a Charleston-based architecture firm, and a few other friends.

Do you have your own recommendations? I’d love to hear them.

Showrooms, Shops, Antiques and Textile Resources

• Beata Heuman – this was top of my list, but further away from where I was and I didn’t make it in time for my appointment.

• Sister by Studio Ashby

• Pentreath & Hall (Ben Pentreath)

• Christopher Farr Cloth

• And Objects

• 8 Holland Street

• Modernity

• Joss Graham

• Bennison Fabrics

• Soane Britain (when it reopens)

• L. Cornelissen & Son - I love a beautiful art supplies shop.

• Liberty London – I’ve been before, but it’s been about 14 years.

• Green & Stone

• Choosing Keeping

• Labour and Wait

• Alfies Antique Market

• Adire African Textiles (inside Alfies)

• Portobello Road Market – Another spot I’ve been ages ago.

• Kulik Selzer (A recommendation from Carly Semack, a stylist I work with here in Charleston)

• Town House Spitalfields

• Antique Textiles Company

• Chelsea Harbour Design Centre — I had planned to spend more time here researching the UK interiors market. Hopefully I can make it back when WOW!house is happening.

• Leighton House

• Wallace Collection

• National Gallery

• Tate Britain

• Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration - a recommendation from Caitlin McGauley.

• Not in London, but I want to go to Chelsea House too.

• Lamb’s Conduit Street, Spitalfields, Fournier Street, Redchurch Street, Columbia Road, Shoreditch, Golborne Road, Marylebone, Elizabeth Street, Pavilion Road

• Rochelle Canteen (a recommendation from Ben Wagner)

• River Café (a recommendation from)

• Wild by Tart

• Café Cecilia (a recommendation from Ben Wagner)

• St. John for lunch (a recommendation from Public Regard)

• Paul Rothe & Son for lunch (a recommendation from Public Regard)

• Arlington for dinner (a recommendation from Public Regard)

• The Hart for dinner (a recommendation from Public Regard)

• Straker’s for dinner (a recommendation from Public Regard)

• Spring

• Noble Rot

• Brawn

• Manteca

• Mount St. Restaurant

• Julie’s

• The Thomas Cubitt

• Rabbit

• Ottolenghi Chelsea

• Olivomare

• Petersham Nurseries Café

• Dishoom (a few people mentioned this as a great Indian spot)