A Love Letter to London | A Story Still Unfolding

As London welcomes its annual influx of summer visitors, we're often reminded how fortunate we are to call this city home. Watching others marvel at the landmarks, streets and hidden corners we pass every day is a reminder to pause and experience the capital with fresh eyes ourselves. In doing so, we're reminded of the richness, character and creativity woven into the everyday here.

With many of our projects situated in London, it is no surprise that the city often informs our designs. From the makers and artisans who craft pieces for us, to the museums, galleries and architecture that shape our creative thinking, London is woven into the fabric of our work. This month, under the theme of ‘A Love Letter to London’, we thought it fitting to celebrate the places, people and creativity of the capital.

A CITY BUILT ON CRAFT

London has long been synonymous with craftsmanship and nowhere is this more evident than within the ateliers and workshops that continue to define British luxury today.

From Savile Row's renowned tailors and Hatton Garden's jewellers to Jermyn Street's master shirtmakers, Pimlico Road's cabinet makers, gilders, stone masons and decorative artists, London remains a city shaped by exceptional craftsmanship. Houses such as Turnbull & Asser, Lock & Co. Hatters and Garrard have called London home for generations, continuing to create exceptional pieces today with the same dedication to skill, precision and artistry on which their reputations were built. It is this commitment to quality and craft that continually inspires us, where luxury is found not in excess, but in longevity, authenticity and meticulous attention to detail.

These artisans preserve traditional skills while shaping the future of British design, and collaborating with them, allows us to create spaces layered with authenticity, character and individuality.

INSPIRED BY LONDON’S ARCHITECTURE

London's architecture is one of the city's greatest sources of inspiration, shaped by an extraordinary layering of history, craftsmanship and evolving design. A walkthrough the capital can take you from the elegant Georgian townhouses of Mayfair and Belgravia to the grand white stucco façades of Kensington, the converted warehouses of the East End and the thoughtfully reimagined buildings emerging across the city today. Each contributes its own distinct architectural language, creating the rich tapestry that makes London so diverse.

Alongside its historic landmarks, contemporary additions such as The Shard by Renzo Piano, The Gherkin by Foster + Partners and most recently 22 Bishopsgate by PLP Architecture,  demonstrate how the city continues to evolve, whilst architects such as Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, Rafael Viñoly, and Squire & Partners continue to add new chapters to London's ultra-prime architectural story.

Across the capital, historic homes and heritage buildings are being carefully adapted for modern living, balancing contemporary needs with a respect for their original character, while a new generation of landmark developments continues to redefine luxury living in London. As a studio, we are privileged to contribute to both, crafting interiors within some of the city's most significant period residences and its most prestigious new addresses. Whether honouring original architectural details or shaping a contemporary vision from within a newly created space, our work is guided by the same commitment to timeless design, craftsmanship and a deep understanding of how people live. It is this dialogue between past and present that defines London's character, and one that we continually strive to honour within our own projects.

DESIGN DISCOVERIES

London's cultural calendar is a great source of inspiration. From London Craft Week and PAD London to Frieze, Treasure House and Belgravia in Bloom, the city continually celebrates creativity in all its forms. These events bring together artists, makers, collectors and designers, creating opportunities to celebrate exceptional craftsmanship and engage with the creative community that makes London such a remarkable place to work.

Many visits lead to unexpected discoveries; new artists, independent makers, materials or processes that might otherwise sit outside our usual references. Back in the studio, these moments often resurface in conversation “remember that beautiful piece we saw at PAD,” or a material detail from an exhibition that stayed with us. Overtime, these encounters inform the way we work, quietly shaping ideas and introducing perspectives that find their way into future projects.

A CITY OF CULTURE AND CREATIVITY

London's cultural landscape is one of the defining reasons it remains such an inspiring place to live and visit. Whether spending an afternoon at the Victoria and Albert Museum exploring a fashion exhibition, discovering photography at the National Portrait Gallery, or visiting a thought-provoking exhibition at the Royal Academy, there is always something new to see.

The structure and silhouettes seen in Schiaparelli’s fashion archives can inspire the detailing of bespoke upholstery or joinery. The colour palette and textures found within Van Gogh’s masterpieces can inform mood boards and material schemes. Even the spatial curation of an exhibition influences how we think about experience, pause and focal moments within a home.

These experiences continually broaden our perspective, reminding us of the extraordinary talent we live amongst, as well as the global community of creatives whose work finds a home in London.

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Spending so much time in London can sometimes make it easy to take its beauty for granted. However, every so often, the city allows you to pause and admire; a hidden mews, a beautifully dressed shop window, a moody gallery on a rainy evening, or a craftsman in their studio.

In these moments we are reminded why London remains such a source of inspiration for us as designers. Beyond its architecture and cultural institutions, it is ultimately the people, makers and creativity woven throughout the city that gives London its unique and loveable charm.

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