In the UK, the capital is equal parts posh and artsy. From the snazzy restaurants in Mayfair, all the way east to the young-and-hip Shoreditch area, London has plenty to offer for the aficionado of design.
1. Dine at sketch
A destination for food, art and music, sketch, created by Mourad Mazouz and Pierre Gagnaire, is split into several areas: The Gallery, an all-pink tea room that is also David Shirgley’s gallery; The Lecture Room & Library, The Parlour, The Glade which is a bar straight off a Disney fairytale forest and The East Bar. The highlight, however, is the neon pink, spaceship-like bathrooms. sketch.london
2. Hip hotel
Not just for its eclectic industrial design, the Ace Hotel Shoreditch has become an iconic symbol for London’s young urban scene, especially due to its location in Shoreditch, a fashionable part of London that is brimming with tech and creative entrepreneurs developing offices and studios. acehotel.com
3. Brutalist Architecture
There are various walking tours arranged to visit London’s Brutalist-style buildings. Prior to joining one, check out UK-based photographer Darren Black’s Instagram dedicated to everyone’s favourite monuments to raw concrete. @konstructionhaus
4. What to Read
Jeremy Till, head of central St Martins and vice-chancellor of University of the Arts London argues in his intriguing book “Architecture Depends” that despite claims of autonomy, architecture depends on various factors (time, politics, ethics, etc.). Till suggests we bridge the gap between what architecture is and what architects want it to be.
5. On the Rise
Luxury label Phoebe English presented its Autumn/Winter 2017 collection at London Fashion Week, taking the catwalk by storm with a medley of wovensequins, tulle, silks and cotton arranged in unconventional designs. phoebeenglish.com
6. Design Icon
Have a taste of posh British life when staying at the Langham Hotel in London. Offering old-world Victorian charm with modern elegance in all its 300+ rooms, the Langham is a style icon that offers an unmatchable luxurious experience. langhamhotels.com/en/the-langham/london/
7. The Late Bloomer
Uncelebrated during her early career years, 73-year-old Phyllida Barlow constructs her artwork from leftover plywood, tinfoil and polystyrene. The works fill Hauser & Wirth gallery in London and most recently, the 57th Biennale di Venezia in Italy. hauserwirth.com
8. Splurge
If you’re looking to freshen up your living space without making major changes, buy a few Beat or Mirror Ball lamps from Tom Dixon’s notoriously futuristic and minimalistic lighting collection. tomdixon.net