Besides London Design Guide 2010-2011,
we’ve never seen a book so dedicated to the city’s design scene. The man behind the book, design commentator
Max Fraser, has made personal trips to every featured shop, dealer and gallery in order to bring the
London-curious, honest and unbiased reviews. Ten essays by London design professionals are also a good read
in the book, each on a different subject such as production, retail, communication and
collecting.
We love how walking through the 600-square-mile city seems so manageable with a map that divides London’s
design-heavy neighbourhoods, which include: Mayfair, Notting Hill, Islington, Bromptom, Finsbury, Chelsea and
Knightsbridge. Fraser has even provided an “Eat and Drink” section (with a design focus, of course) for each
neighbourhood to recharge after your expeditions. Hotels are also recommended.
Design is a brief term. The book is specifically looking at 3D objects — furniture, lighting, ceramics,
glass, textiles, tableware and other artwork. Although the focus is on contemporary design, select vintage
originals are also picked out. To give you a brief look, here are some of our favourite stores, galleries,
cafes and restaurants mentioned in the book:
Chelsea/Knightsbridge/Brompton: Few and Far, Potterton Books, Serpentine Gallery, V&A Reading Rooms and
Tom’s Kitchen.
Notting Hill/Ladbroke Grove: The Rug Company, Tom Dixon Shop, Le Café Anglais for a lunch and Miller’s
Residence to stay.
Marylebone: The Conran Shop, Tracey Neuls, Paul Rothe & Son for tea and La Fromagerie for cheese fans.
Mayfair: Carpenters Workshop Gallery, Dover Street Market, Allen’s for meat lovers and Sketch for champagne
afternoon tea.
Soho/Fitzrovia: Gallery Libby Sellers, Heal’s, Fernandez & Wells for coffee and cake and Spuntino for a
taste of New York City in London.
Islington: Aria, The Peanut Vendor, Trullo for Italian and Paul A Young Chocolates for truffles.
If you’re a lover of design, be it of buildings, clothing, art pieces or furniture, London is a must see.
Attracting young innovators looking to start their creative careers and growing families, it’s continuously
rising in rank as one of the best cities in the world to live in. New York City comes to mind as I walk
around Notting Hill with the exposed-brick walls in the stores and Greenwich-style window displays. But
London’s history remains unmatched.
Visit
londondesignguide.com to purchase the book and for more information.
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Photo Courtesy: London Design
Guide
