Labour and Wait - London

I often dream about having an all white kitchen, with marble counter tops, white subway tiles, shiny silver hardware, and of course beautiful white accessories...

Labour and Wait, a little store off London's Brick Lane has beautifully simplistic utilitarian items for your home. Many hark from an older era, such as their selection of enamelware. I am of course smitten with the white colander with it's flowery holes, the measuring jug, and the porcelain measuring spoons.

Other items that piqued my interest are the masculine folio bag, which is large enough to fit a laptop, and the Austrian enamel dust pan set. It definitely is more handsome then my hideous plastic one and would hopefully make me reach for it more often. I figure you have to buy these items anyway, so why not buy pretty ones?

Labour and Wait

18 Cheshire Street

London

www.labourandwait.co.uk

London - Harvie & Hudson

While in London this spring, I was shocked to see so many sale signs in store windows. Obviously, the recession is hitting the U.K. equally hard and there are great shopping deals to be found. It looks like banker types in particular have tightened their belts because the best deals were on Jermyn Street. This is where all of the great British shirt makers have resided for decades, including Turnbull and Asser, Emma Willis, Thomas Pink, and Harvie & Hudson. Turnbull and Asser and Emma Willis are a bit out of my price range, so I decided to order my husband a few shirts from Harvie and Hudson. Their shirts are beautifully constructed from exquisite cottons with mother of pearl buttons and turn back cuffs. And, unlike many of the current companies on Jermyn Street, they still design and make all of their shirts on the premises. They also offer a slim fit line that is less blousy for a younger look that comes in several classic colors and patterns. Right now, they are offering three or more shirts for 33 pounds, with shipping and the exchange rate, that came to about $50 dollars a shirt. You can check them out online here: www.harvieandhudson.com .

Harvie & Hudson
77 Jermyn Street
St James
SW1Y 6NP

Debrett's Guide for the Modern Gentleman

I recently bought Debrett's Guide For the Modern Gentleman as research for a project I'm working on, but discovered that it would be a great holiday gift for the guy with fine taste, or the anglophile. It's filled with very practical information such as: what you need to know when buying a suit or having one made, what every guy should have for a well stocked bar, manners for the office or when on a date; as well as, less useful information such as: how to behave when you are a guest at a country house (although it might apply if you know someone who is in the landed gentry.) It is so very English, and looks great on a coffee table. I ordered mine from an amazon seller in England for $19, but you can also get them from Debrett's directly.

Miller's Residence - London

The Miller's Residence in London is not for the minimalist, but if you want to pretend you're a guest in the home of an eccentric Lord, then it is for you!  Owned by an antiques dealer, it is packed with antiques, and I mean packed. Each bedroom is unique with decor inspired by the English Romantic poets, the rates are under 200 pounds a night, and it is very centrally located in arty Notting Hill. Spend a Saturday perusing the nearby Portobello Road Market, and you can pick up some antiques of your own. Basically, this hotel had me at the persimmon door (I often fantasize about having a house with a persimmon door) and yes, I do want to imagine I'm staying with an aristocrat. 

Liberty Window Decorations - London

One of my favorite things about Christmas time in the city is all of the elaborate holiday window displays. Unfortunately, here in L.A. we don't get as much of a show, but New York and London go all out. This year, Liberty's windows bring the snow indoors with dreamy icy homescapes. Liberty's also has a famous Christmas shop with unique ornaments and a vintage looking advent calendars. You can check out the goods at: http://www.liberty.co.uk/fcp/categorylist/dept/home_christmas?resetFilters=true

Rob Ryan Shop - London

I love London based Rob Ryan's whimsical cut paper illustrations. With their child like innocence, it is only fitting that he is putting his designs on toddler tees.  The above shirt is so sweet: "Why are you so naughty? Because I'm so happy!!

And, I've always thought the above print would be beautiful in a nursery.

You can buy select prints and merchandise on Rob's etsy site, but  he has also opened a store in London which sells tea towels, prints, pillows and the above tee. His prints run around $400. Not cheap, but very reasonable for a work of art. His shop is Ryantown, 126 Columbia Road, E2 7RG, Open Saturday from 1-4 and all day Sunday.

Laduree Beauty - France

Laduree purveyors of the definitive macaroon, have just added beauty products to their repertoire. Lotions, soaps, and bath gels are scented with almond: a key ingredient in the pastries they are known for. Each product comes in the exquisite signature Laduree green box, and would make a much more travel friendly souvenir then a box of sweets. I love that the bath gel bottle has a macaroon lid. Products are available at Laduree shops in France, Switzerland, London, Monaco, and Tokyo.

Liberty Online - London

Liberty, my favorite department store in London, is now selling merchandise online! Their style is Barneys NY meets Anthropologie by way of India. Many of the items on the website are Liberty products available exclusively through the store, and I found those items to be cheaper than the other lines they carry. Although, with the current exchange rate, you won't be finding any bargains.  Even though I can't really afford to buy anything at least now I get to "window shop!"

Number Sixteen - London

Rita Konig in the new issue of Domino Mag recommends the Number Sixteen Hotel as quaint place to stay in the Pimlico Green area of London. The boutique hotel has 42 individually decorated rooms and is within walking distance of the South Kensington tube stop. I love the whimsical decor, and the lovely garden where guests can have their breakfast. Rates are reasonable for London at 175 pound a night for a queen (don't even think about the exchange rate or you'll get depressed.) The owners of the hotel have several other lovely properties around London for just slightly higher rates. Check them out at: www.firmdale.com 

La Fromagerie - London

I love artisanal cheese, so when I'm on vacation, I usually try to find a good cheese store where I can sample the local cheeses. Next time I'm in London, I'm stopping by La Fromagerie. They have two locations, both with cheese rooms, and they serve breakfast and lunch. Yum!