The Best of London Shopping: The Assouline Lounge at Liberty

I know I’ve already listed Liberty of London as one of my favourite places to shop (if not my very favourite) in all of London, but I feel the store’s new Assouline lounge deserves a post all of it’s own as it’s essentially a little shop within the shop.

Being geeks in disguise, the Clever Boyfriend and I are both ferocious book collectors, though his collection is a study in highbrow intellect while I have a shallow tendency to buy anything that has a beautiful cover. This isn’t to say I won’t also be found with my nose buried in a political biography or classic novel, but there are moments when one simply wants the literary equivalent of a Laduree macaron; pretty, fun, and delicious. For those similarly powerless against the lure of a beautiful book, Assouline’s are just longing to sit on your bookshelves, to be read on lazy weekends at home. Think books on Parisian apartments, Italian riviera chic, the history of all the great fashion design houses, vintage cocktails, Hitchock’s heroines, and the kind of travel destinations dreams are made of, as well as rare and first edition collector’s books.

For those not familiar, Assouline is a brilliant publishing house that specialises in luxury books on fashion, art, design, travel, lifestyle and culture. They first appeared on my radar when almost every design book I picked up seemed to be published by the label. So when I heard that a whole lounge was to open in Liberty to house their books (surely the most perfect placement for both parties), I was very interested indeed. My initial annoyance that the new lounge had replaced the former Liberty tea room (it had always been one of my favourite places in London to stop for a quick cup of tea) was soothed when I saw just how delightful the Assouline room is. Picture the best kind of tiny bookstore (dimly lit, frequented by intellectuals in suits, charming staff), but nestle it right next to the treasure box that is the Liberty jewellery room, and you get the idea of how great this is. I should also mention that though the charming Alice in Wonderland meets William Morris decor of the former tea room is gone, tea is still being served in the space. There are only a few little tables, so it doesn’t feel inauthentic to the surroundings), but now you can browse a book on Hitchock style and Chanel’s jewels while taking tea. Wonderful, if you ask me!

I’d love to know if any of you are bibliophiles too? If so, what’s your idea of a great book store?

Love, Miss B xx

The Assouline Lounge can be found on the ground floor of Liberty (in the former tea room, through the jewellery room), Great Marlborough St, W1F

The Best of London Shopping: Caravan Interiors

I’m moving to a new place soon which, despite boasting a number of improvements on my current place, is both 1) tiny, and 2) rented. This means I’m having to get super inventive with efficient yet beautiful storage ideas, while also hunt down pieces which are unique and beautiful enough to make the space feel like mine.

Vintage treasures collected around the world are my favourite souvenirs to bring back for the home (and whenever I travel to a new city, I always try and time my visit to coincide with a weekend so that I can visit a local market or two), and there’s almost nothing I love more than foraging about a flea market of treasures on a weekend. That said, England is generally sadly lacking in the flea market stakes (and those that it does boast are frequently either difficult to get to or overrun with tourists). But what London lacks in good rummage-worthy flea markets, it tries to make up for in tiny boutiques filled with treasures and curiosities for the home. And none of these is better that Caravan.

Owned by the very lovely and chic Emily Chalmers, Caravan is the life-sized manifestation of her book ‘Flea Market Style’. Perched on Redchurch Street (one of my favourite areas for tiny, unique stores and eateries) in London’s Shoreditch, the store is a veritable treasure trove. It’s filled with a mass of whimsical, fun, and generally lovely bits and pieces for the home that you don’t necessarily need, but decide you absolutely must have when you see them – in other words, the kind of things that add personality and a touch of witticism to an otherwise sophisticated home. And honestly, who doesn’t feel the need for a bunny-shaped lamp, and big white ceramic owl money box (I’m powerless against anything shaped like a bird or woodland creature), or a gilded pineapple wall sconce? Or is that just me….? They also have a lovely collection of books, cards and jewels along the same theme, and tiny little things which make great ‘just because’ presents for someone who makes you smile.

Next time you fancy a forage for treasures for the home, I insist you pay a visit to Caravan. If your trip should fall on a Sunday, hop over to nearby Columbia Road and bag yourself a sweet little cake and an armload of flowers from the street vendors. The glow from your newly-aquired whimsical treasures and the smell of your spring flowers will instantly make your above (however tiny) feel a hundred times cosier!

Have you made any fantastic shopping discoveries in London of late? What’s your favourite thing to buy for the home?

Love, Miss B xx

Caravan: 3 Redchurch Street, London E2 7DJ

The Best of London Shopping: The Shop at Bluebird

Much like afternoon tea at Sketch, The Shop at Bluebird had been on my London ‘To Do’ list since I moved here two years ago. Finally, one very rainy Saturday when little else would do to lift the spirits but a new London discovery, I hopped in a South Kensington-bound black cab with my dear friend S (who was visiting me from Australia at the time) and to Bluebird it was. As soon as I arrived, I knew I adored it. It is perhaps not what one would expect; indeed, it hardly even looks like a store – but that exactly what makes it so charming.

Bluebird is sort of how you’d imagine the home of your super cool New York intellectualista friend to look; if that friend wore Alexanders Wang and McQueen, had coffee tables and floors piled high with arty books, and stuffed their big Brooklyn loft with unique treasures brought from the world’s most stylish cities.

The edit of designers is impeccable, but what I most love is the face that you’ll find tables stuffed with entirely unnecessary but must-have-them-anyway homewares perched happily beside racks of Marc Jacobs and shelves of stylish books. Who doesn’t love an Abigail Ahern French poodle lamp base or a set of golden egg cups with their couture?

And the best part? It’s the polar opposite of Oxford Street (with its angry Christmas shoppers and map-wielding tourists) at this time of year.