Interior Design

The Stylish Interiors Guide to Sightseeing in The Capital

We’ve curated a guide to some of our favourite places the city has to offer!

Mary & Nicole's Guide to London

Must See Museums

One of the things that makes London such a vibrant city is the sheer number of wonderful galleries, exhibitions and museums on offer. While there are too many excellent ones to distil into a short guide, some long-time favourites include the Royal Academy of Arts, which always has an eclectic line-up on (not to mention a fabulous restaurant) and the V&A, where art, design and performance blend beautifully. One last one not to be missed is Sir John Soane’s Museum, an extraordinary place belonging to a noted English architect. The house is a treasure trove full of his vast collection of antiquities, furniture, sculptures, architectural models and paintings and is a place we could happily while away a day in.

House & Garden

Spring in London is the perfect time to take in some outdoor treasures too and we’ve spent many happy days wondering around the incredible gardens attached to some of the city’s finest houses. While the grounds are often perfect for people watching and picnics, the houses themselves also offer plenty in the way of entertainment, with fantastic collections of textiles, furniture and paintings. Firm favourites include Ham House and Garden, an idyllic 17th century house on the banks of the River Thames in Richmond and picturesque Pitzhanger House in Ealing. For something totally different, Eltham Place, nestled in the heart of Southeast London is a delight of a destination and is always so much fun to explore, especially if you have children. Its 19 acres of grounds and gardens are also wonderful to wander through on a warm spring day.

Top Of The Shops

You’d probably need an entire month to discover all the brilliant shops that London has to offer, but in the interests of saving your precious time (and purse) we’ve managed to narrow down our must-visit hit list. First up, a trip to Chelsea and the bustling King’s Road which is a haven of interesting and chic spots. You’ll find a selection of Beulah’s incredible pieces, including its iconic dresses, on sale at Chelsea Town Hall, while just down the road in Chelsea Harbour you can discover Anna Mason’s stunning showroom which features pieces including statement blouses, skirts and tailored suits, the latter which manage to strike the perfect balance between feminine and sharp. Of course, no guide would be complete without a couple of interiors spots and both Soane and Jamb are right at the top of that list for their heritage approach to timeless design.

If we’re heading west to Covent Garden, we can’t help but stop by at Choosing Keeping and will always emerge with something, whether it’s a clutch of exquisite Japanese pencils, some hand marbled decorative paper or a playful John Derian paperweight. And finally, no trip to London, short or long would be complete without enough time to take in the delights of Liberty. An historical department store dating back to 1924, the heritage listed London building is just as wonderful to explore as the gems on sale inside. We always make a beeline for the jewellery department while its textile department inspires and delights in equal measure.

Food For Thought

Choosing where to eat is one of the trickiest parts about visiting London, such is the incredible café and restaurant scene. For a special celebration, we adore the dramatic decadence of Italian eatery Dear Jackie in the newly opened hot hotel The Broadwick, Soho, while Mount Street is the perfect place to go to sample stunning design and a modern British menu. For something simple, classic and elegant, a lunchtime table at Daphne’s is hard to beat but if it’s baked goods you’re after then the Birley Bakery is a must. We defy you not to want to try everything on offer but if you must choose, the coconut chiffon cake is a work of art.

Happy exploring!

Mary & Nicole x