Wednesday 12 November 2014

Lovely London Day Out

I was only going to have a quick morning coffee with a friend.
But then I thought while I was in the area I would go to West Elm. The American store opened less than a year ago and I hadn't had the chance  to check out their furniture.  I got their catalog and wanted to see a mid century bar cart with brass legs in person.

I wanted to buy the cardboard white decorations but 
they weren't for sale.   Why is it that half the time
 I just want what isn't for sale in the stores?
The scale of all the items were so big and definitely for American homes as the bar cart was the size of some European dining tables.

We then went next door to Heal's and saw this dog bone bench.
The colorful seating for childern next to it was nice and 
thought it might make nice chairs for parties but 
it didn't carry a child like price tag.

Managed to leave the stores without a purchase and decided that we were hungry and headed to Soho through Bedford Square which at one stage was a new build housing development over a hundred years ago of course.

After lunch we decided to have another quick coffee and general chit chat about life while people watching
at the outside table at the legendary Bar Italia which was made easier with overhead outdoor heating.

The shot of caffeine would have been wasted going home so we decided to head to the Moroni exhibition at the Royal Academy 
but en route decided to check out the latest addition to the 
Firmdale group of hotels - the Ham Yard Hotel.

If you haven't been - run don't walk.
As with most hotels of this group they tend to have a comfy library area with an honesty bar.
The owner of the hotel group Kit Kemp is also an interior designer so she always add her own touch to the decor. The ikat lamp shade for the library ladder floor lamp is fun.




The other side of the library is so soothing and 
all the fabrics say relax...

I am not convinced by the fabric on these chairs but
it's fun as long as it's not in my house.

The airy internal windows to a bar area with the vases of flowers in the lobby was a joy to be in.



One of the funnest features of the hotel was this gigantic orange juice squeezer that was two stories high!

The other unique features to the hotel is that it has its own theater!
Perfect for events and its sister hotel in 
Charlotte Street holds Sunday movie nights so this is just continuing that niche but on a larger scale.

But wait for it.
After I was done ogling the Pierre Frey fabric on the walls of another area...

I realized that this was the lounge for the 4 lane bowling alley!
But it is for events and not just a walk in bowling alley.

This was another central lounge with meeting and function rooms off it.
The wallpaper up close.

We got to see the bottom of the orange juice circle spiral.

Some of the areas weren't all to my taste but still fun.

After that detour we finally made it to the Royal Academy.

No pictures were allowed but 
I highly recommend the Moroni exhibition!!
The only picture I got was done by accident outside the Anselm Kiefer exhibition. As it was outside I thought it was allowed but honestly I did not "get" it.

I didn't get these pieces of art deco jewelry either unfortunately.

Nor did I get these art deco pieces such as the light fixture or the cocktail mini cabinet kit.

I walked by all the latest special edition monogram pieces at Louis Vuitton.
The first is the half wooly bag by the acclaimed Marc Newson.

The Cindy Sherman was my least favorite.


The Frank Gehry was interesting though
I wonder how it will sit on a flat surface.

This is the boxing punching bag take by Karl Lagerfeld.  
He must have the most flexible employment contract in the world to be able to do a project for a rival company.

The spikes on this bag was done by Christian Louboutin.


My favorite of the series is this tote bag by Rei Kawakubo 
who is the founder of Comme des Garcons.
I have already seen three of these bags around town and predict that it will be the most copied bag in the counterfeit market.


I had to go home for dinner as I promised Mr CSW 
I would cook so stopped at the store and
saw this gold sequined Xmas tree chocolate box.

Then I walked by the Christmas tree just put up with Santa's grotto where children plead for presents.

This is normally the time of year where I start to seriously consider leaving the U.K.  Days get shorter and colder but it's days like today where I do realize why I haven't left London yet.
So much to do and see!

47 comments:

  1. Is the blue tree at Peter Jones? I have a fabulous picture taken there a few years ago.

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    1. It's at whiteleys actually. They do an annual tree and is like Lourdes for children at xmas!

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  2. What an impressively wide assortment of curiosities you've assembled for us Naomi and indeed a compelling reason to stay in London; even if we don't find these unique designs personally appealing they do interest and help better define or evolve our personal tastes.
    Kaiser Karl has somewhat redeemed himself from your previous post with that 'heavy bag' that was easily my fav among those featured here.

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    1. The worst thing I saw was the other exhibition but as you say it still feeds one visual memory and it was fun to see his hard core fans so deep in reflection!

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  3. Yikes, all this in one day......... I'v never heard of that particular chain of hotels but it looks fab. I rarely spend time within the hotel when I'm away but I guess this is one way the hotel ensures you spend more of your money there rather than elsewhere.

    Isn't it interesting how well the top designers are collaborating; is it a case of if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. It's becoming more like the music world but I'm not complaining. The LV monogram really grates on me - I guess because it's so ubiquitous, especially on the fakes, but I must commend the design concepts - love the punch bag! x

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    1. It was just one of those impromptu days where it was one more thing and then just another one and just easy going. Yes collaborations are the name of the game. Interesting there are already two people who like the punchbag the best. It is fun and looks different in real life than the print ads and the video. But I haven't seen anyone use the other bags in real life yet apart from the Rei hole tote. You would adore the hotel and I urge you to have lunch at the hotel on your next trip down! x

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  4. love london at this time of year, but before it becomes all too hectic with the christmas rush and all those office parties taking over the place !!

    throughly enjoyed Selfridges the other week , Le chalet is definitely worth a visit if you have the chance (my post on it is also now up!! )

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    1. Today's weather was glorious - crisp but sunny. Yes in December it really does get too much and half of Europe seems to be in town trying to get a bargain. I will definitely try and stop by Selfridges and check out le chalet - will pop by yours now!

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  5. Sigh - I soooo want to go to London in early December!!!! I love all these photos! You take the dogbone bench, I am jonesing for that teepee for my tea parties!

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    1. I think tepees would make a good study bc it cuts out any clutter and just focus.

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  6. What a fantastic day. I adore the Royal Academy. I despair the lack of art in the Colonies. We try but nothing rivals what you have across the pond. I'd love a library bar in my house (I had one for a nanosecond, but alas fortune likes to reverse herself from time to time!)

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    1. I had a bar cart before but would do the whole mad men thing of drinking much more frequently. Royal academy is very good though their permanent exhibitions are a bit sparse but their temporary exhibitions do challenge sometimes like the anselm

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  7. Busy day! Loved the photos of Ham yard Hotel. I've seen bits and pieces on instagram and around the media in general, but not so comprehensively so I've got a much better feel for the spaces from your photos. Loved the Art Deco earrings and bracelet….
    I think your prediction is going to hold true with that LV bag, and I suspect they're already on the counterfeit stands in Thailand/ Bali/ Vietnam etc etc….

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    1. I saw the pictures that did the round but for some reason I must be a dag bc I was so tickled by the huge o.j. Maker and that didn't get much press! Yes I think this collection is being sewn up in china as we speak!!

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  8. Oh I just love when you take us on tours of London. Beautiful! Psssst...check out my instagram to see my adorable swinging girl. Xxxxxoooo

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  9. Such a fun day. I loved the Ham Yard Hotel when we visited, such nice tea in the Orangerie.

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  10. Okay, this is what we'll do on day one...what's in store for two through seven?! I'm telling you, I'll be there a week. I also love all these pictures that show a glimpse of life in London.

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    1. Well geek London can never end and neither can drinking London. You might just have to get a proper visa !

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  11. Every post of yours is an adventure- can't wait to wander Londy with you again x

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  12. Well I like that one doesn't have to travel far and hope you visit again soon x

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  13. They should seriously make you the "model Londoner" - you truly get out there and explore! Thank you for sharing! I want a bar cart but don't really drink...such a dilemma! Have not loved West Elm like I thought I would. Obsessed with Wlliams and Sonoma and looking forward to visiting my first Pottery Barn soon. That orange juice machine....want to visit that hotel just to try the juice lol!

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  14. P.s. THE WALLPAPER! Loved it! The Lv collaborations...I'd pass.

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    1. I love Willisms Sonoma too especially their kitchen store!!! I actually

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    2. Am not a great Londoner bc my radius isn't wide and tend to go to the same places over snd over!!

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  15. What a great post! Love all this festive cheer....your day was chock full of beautiful sights.

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    1. And it's only about a km far apart so not a trek at all!

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  16. I want a day out with you, looks so fun and interesting. Actually this is funny, yesterday I was able to read your post without pictures because my internet was acting funny, so I was trying to imagine based on your descriptions which are to the point but very good! Happy to see the pictures though.

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  17. Good Heavens-you get an awful lot done in a day! And then to have to make dinner too. Im exhausted.
    That hotel is clever. Did you try the orange juice?

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    1. Doing things as hoc is much easier and better. I didn't go out st all yesterday and just watched Netflix to recuperate!

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  18. Oh isn't Moroni absolutely amazing! One could call his work the 'selfies' of the 16th century! The intimate and informal poses were so new as a style, they look so contemporary in that respect; and he uses light so well. They're almost photographic in their quality. He captures the character of the sitters perfectly.

    What an eclectic mix of styles in the hotel interior shots!
    The logo'd up canvas Vuitton is so not me. But if I had to choose one (or face hideous consequences), it would be the Newson.

    I'm going to say "Bah Humbug!" to all this Christmassy stuff that slides ever closer to September each year. Chrimbo consumerism gone mad!

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    1. Oh Im so with you! They have already started the Christmas commercials, Christmas music and some fools have already decorated their houses!

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  19. Dreaming of a cold climate here. Tomorrow is meant to be 39 degrees, and it's not summer yet!

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  20. There is something very inviting about art deco stuff. I guess it's the absence of anything culturally specific about it that has universal appeal (at least, to me, this is true)! Love it! :-) Emily

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    1. I think its sense of proportion and clean lines clinches the deal bc actually the art deco period was quite a strange time historically and I think it was cleaning up its collective consciousness through design. So interesting the way you look at it Emily.

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  21. Great post. I'll have to check out the Ham Yard Hotel. I love the idea of a two storey high juicer, lol!

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    1. I think it would be great if they opened up the alley as a proper business rather than for groups only bc it is such a destresser.

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  22. what a fun day, (and i recognise that tree, it's a lot more glamorous in the context of your blog)!

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  23. The Moroni exhibition must have been wonderful.

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  24. There is a West Elm and Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma in Sydney's eastern suburbs ..I'm underwhelmed by the first 2 ..but can see WS is a cook's dream

    But the Ham Yard Hotel , overwhelming to be sure ...would love to visit

    The LV bags are fun ..the Rei Kawakubo bag reminds me of those cut out (peek a boob ) tops in Mean Girls..put a hole in the right place and everyone will want one

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    1. west elm is always referenced by american bloggers but i think they must have been sponsored. its not even cheap enough to buy but also aimed at mcmansions bc their scale was just so big!

      Those LV bags are fun and while i wouldn't commit to one it is interesting how they are keeping that monogram alive.

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  25. London is so bloody marvellous and it's the best place in the world to be come mid December onwards. What a lovely day out.

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