A Smattering of a Smashing trip!
London just might be my favorite city. It is lovely. There are lots of trees, gardens, parks, cemeteries, and green spaces (3,000 spaces in total!). Transportation is easy, whether bus, cab, train or tube. Restaurants are wonderful and diverse. As a former empire, the city boasts one of the most culinary diverse selections in the world. We ate Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, Greek, and good ole Pub fare to name a few. Breakfasts were delicious. Biscuits are to die for. Good coffee everywhere. Tea too. 😉
The city sense of design, museums, stores, parks, are a treat to the senses and soul.
We stayed in Earl’s Court in West London in the borough of Kennsington. Once the gay heartbeat of the city in the 80's, with Freddie Mercury being its most notable resident, now it is filled with office workers, and international folk. A comfortable area with local neighborhood bars, restaurants, stores and tube station–so easy to get to anywhere.
Museums:
V&A. Applied Arts, Decorative Arts & Design. So much here to inspire the design minded. From their collection and history of wrought iron (which is prolific on the streets), to the giant Chihully glass chandelier as you enter. Kind of an Interior Designer’s Dream world. One notable item was the “living chandelier” called Exhale by designer Julian Melchiorri. Exhale is a "living" art piece featuring algae-filled leaves (of glass) that naturally purifies the air and changes colors as the algae grows.
National Portrait Museum with a special exhibition called “Cecil Beaton’s Fashionable World” was breathtaking. Beaton, known best for his fashion photographs and society portraits, was a photographer for British and French Vogue. He also delved into fantastic costumery.
My blow away surprise was the Courtauld Gallery. This small beauty had one of the most stellar small collections one could imagine: Cezannes, Gaugains, Renoirs, Manets. And to top it off (pun intended) a special Wayne Thiebaud “American Still Life” show was going on that was YUMMY!
Sir John Soane’s Museum looks like one is about to step into a fine London apartment, but after entering the main living room, which has been frozen in time since 1837, things take a turn. Suddenly you are in a maze of his vast collection of antiquities, furniture, sculptures, architectural models and paintings that is stacked and packed in a private museum of rooms. There is even a complete sarcophagus of the pharaoh Seti I. Bizarre, fascinating, structured, and organized, this is a brilliant hoarder in a fabulous house.
Especial Event:
We delved into the world of “Afternoon Tea” at the very stylish, almost over the top, SKETCH Gallery, as we wanted to see the show of fellow San Miguel de Allende craftspeople company, MEZTIZ. Sketch’s lobby was fully alive in Meztiz loud and proud infusion of rich color. They had a dragon bench that floated up to the maitre d’s desk, and chandeliers that sprung off the ceiling and wall. The door/desk to the coat service was a brilliantly revolving door. Then there is a waiting room with Monty Python-ey cartoons on a TV above the maitre d’s desk. To the left is the parlour, a large, cozy bar and seating area. To the right, was the large spaced, tall ceilinged Gallery Room, radiating in hues of burnt golden yellow. While eating finger sandwiches and pouring champagne and tea, there was a string quartet playing songs like “Material Girl”. Just a funky, fun, full on frontal attack of stimuli experience with a slant on Afternoon Tea.
The whole place was a bit Alice in Wonderland. From the downward giant doberman statue (sans face) at the front of the building, to the colors. Oh, and I almost forgot the unforgettable bathrooms which were individual egg pods in large room above a most comfortable bar.
Shopping Galore
We wanted to see the fab four and what they were carrying: Liberty, Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges. All pretty overwhelming (or underwhelming overwhelming) depending on how you look at them. For those of us old enough to remember the glory of department stores, these were indeed a treat to see the breadth of what they show and carry. From my Nashville days at Harvey's or Jane’s days in Chattanooga at Loveman’s, those probably fit into a half a floor of one of these giants. Liberty, the smallest, won my vote, but it was the architecture of the building. Their Christmas markets were all bustling and this the first of November.
Pimlico Road Shopping. A mecca for the designers, Pimlico had it all (IF you have it all.) Nonetheless, they are a treat to peruse. We visited Chelsea Textile, Cox of London, Jamb, Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler all lined up in beautiful array like old friends at a friendly old neighborhood pub. And on the walk home, we dropped into Designer’s Guild to soak up some splashes of color and fun products.
We were in town to see the Chelsea Handcraft Faire which brings together contemporary independent artisans in a juried collection. From scarves to furniture, there was plenty to see in this gathering.
Bloomsbury Area. Lots of sweet local shops and stellar showing of men’s stores.
- Maggie Owen | Sweet jewelry and gift shop.
- Pentreah & Hall | Quirky, cute, well curated gift and home accessory store. The sweet shop girl took us to their second location with more interior furnishings.
Let's EAT
An Indian staple in London, Dashoom, serves true Bombay comfort food in nice large settings. There are 11 spread across the city. It reminds me of a Houston's–an upscale eatery that is comfortable, predictable and has great service. Food was delicious and ambiance spot on. Wish we had such here in the States.
We went to a Vietnamese restaurant in Chinatown with an old Londoner friend, and he, like we, found our highly rated dinner just mediocre. On the way out he pointed across the street and he said that place, Viet Food, is inexpensive and delicious. We happened to be in the area then next night for Les Mes, and so dropped in. Some of the most delicious Vietnamese food we have ever eaten and in a raucous, loud, tight and filled restaurant. Delicious and fun. Perfect before a good play!
Lastly was Mirya, a Ukrainian restaurant in our neighborhood. What is Ukranian food? Well, delicious.
To top our trip off, a customer of Stray Dog and an Instagram penpal who I’ve “known” for years was in London with her family. We were crossing over for a day so couldn’t meet up. On the afternoon of our last night she texted and said “are you all up for dinner and a Chelsea football match?” Her daughters were jet lagged and not feeling well so she had extras. How they got tickets, I don’t know, but daughter Stella and I were on it and had a great evening with them. Thanks Sarah and Tim Crawford! Loved meeting and hanging with you guys. And thanks, Courtney B. Smith! 😉
