On this post, Part 1 of the London leg of our trip, a new rug I added to the house, and a few other home decor thoughts.
Welcome to the weekend meander!
I’m getting into house mode! With fall approaching I am thinking more about house projects I want to do. I ordered these wallpaper samples from Ballard Design for my bedroom. I like the floral for the bedroom and maybe the herringbone for the bath or closet?
I also have a love for this Sea Grapes wallpaper by Schumacher. The green blue color way is so pretty. Sea Grapes are my favorite tree in Hawaii. I save the round leaves and press them. I was thinking of putting this in the hallway or entry – as it is a statement!
I have a new runner rug in my hallway. I initially bought it to replace the kitchen runner which was really trashed. When I got it, I decided it’s a little too woven for the kitchen. I could see it getting food particles in the weave. So I tried it in the hallway instead, and love it. It’s durable and I bought this rug pad, which gives it a bit of a nice cushy feel underfoot and prevents it from sliding around. It’s on sale now for the Labor Day event.
I went with Serena & Lily as all my rugs from them have been so well made.
Since I still need a kitchen runner, I’m considering this Hillsborough rug in a durable poly in blue or brown, or the same rug I have in the dining room, the Alamere which is wool, cotton, and poly, in a runner size.
I also really like this pretty rug for my main entry space. If you need anything for the house, the sales are the time to buy. It’s always money well spent and that will last for ages. Some of the S&L things in my house are on this post .
My Beaufort tray styled for summer on the coffee table. It is great on the kitchen island as well.
For those of you still interested in hearing about my summer Paris & London trip, I am finally getting to London Part One. Sorry for dragging this out, but it takes a while to download the pics and remember all we did.
Five Days in London!
As I mentioned in the previous post, we took the convenient Eurostar train (just a little over 2 hours), from Paris into St Pancras station. This is a beautiful station with shops and restaurants, and even a small Fortnum & Mason. The best part is you can literally walk into the Underground (The Tube) and easily grab a train right into anyplace in London, which we did.
We stayed at my favorite The Ham Yard Hotel in Soho. I love this dreamy design centered hotel. I adore the rooms and the location – and the people. Any of Kit Kemp’s Firmdale hotels are wonderful. There are five in London and three in NYC. I have also stayed at the Covent Garden Hotel. I’m obsessed with her style and I was so excited to get a glimpse of Kit in the lobby one day! I also saw Taylor Fritz’s mom in the elevator. Lots of buzz with Wimbledon on. Kit has some great books and you can follow her work on Instagram. If you can get your hands on the UK Bazaar with Pam Anderson, her new home is in there, below here. Love this wallpaper!
The Ham Yard, like all their hotels, has a great restaurant with amazing breakfast and a very busy bar/restaurant. They had a whole big screen set up outside on their terrace with Wimbledon playing non-stop. It was very fun for tennis fans. How cute are their massive baskets of hydrangeas in the courtyard?
The rooms are so well planned, and spacious with nice closets and the most comfy beds and sheets I have ever experienced.
Arrival Day… Tea and scones, Liberty, and a British Book!
We arrived one day before London Pride which is a citywide celebration where most of the main streets closed for the day. There were banners everywhere – buntings, pubs and restaurants were decked out ready for street-wide parties. We had a ball walking through all the events that day. The nighttime got a little crazy as it is a HUGE party and everyone goes. More on the part two about it.
After we checked in and dropped our bags, we hit two of my favorites, Fortum & Mason, and Liberty London. Feeling a bit hungry after our train station baguette, we headed into F&M. We made a beeline to their Parlour to get a reviving pot of tea and scones! This is a sweet spot with ice creams, and afternoon teas as well as lunch.
Fortnum’s is the best place to get pretty tins of tea, crackers, jams, and cookies to bring home. They make the best keepsakes and souvenirs- and the tea selection is wonderful. I love their shopping bags and water bottles. Don’t miss the beauty department, china and home wares. The store itself has been there on Piccadilly since 1707! It’s worth a stop in.
Liberty is the other London gem you should not miss. This Liberty department store is a multi-story tribute to florals and British design. You can not only find their signature fabrics, but beautiful housewares, clothes, beauty, handbags and even furniture. The entry has a flower shop and there is a great quilting and embroidery/cross-stitch area with crafting kits. They too have a pretty cafe.
We were there during the 150th anniversary and they had asked fans across the globe to send in quilting squares made of Liberty. The results were this suspended house made of them in the center of the store!
I always get a canvas tote or two as mentioned in the last post. They are the BEST shoppers and only in store. I also love the scarves – and pajamas! They have a special beauty advent calendar for Christmas too! More of the fashions and pretty things here.
Max is a good sport about Liberty because he knows it’s my favorite. We wandered around the nearby Carnaby Street area after, with more shops and Piccadilly has the famous – also historic Hatchard’s Books. Here you’ll find tables of the best British themed books, intriguing biographies and fiction set in London. I grabbed one of the cute canvas book bags after doing some browsing.
Hatchard’s has been there since 1797 and are Britains oldest bookshop! The staff will find any out of print or rare books. If you are a book lover, this is another great stop. They also ship worldwide, so peruse the online selection. When I visited they were promoting this murder thriller, The Art of a Lie.
I came home with Lady in Waiting by Anne Glenconner and it was a good one to read on the trip, though it has some sad parts. The funny thing is the cute gentleman who rung us up said Lady Anne had just been in store, promoting her new picnic book. He said she was quite funny and still busy at age 93. This is why you go to Hatchards. It’s a one of a kind place!
We found a secret little hidden courtyard right by our hotel that used to be the entrance to a farrier (horseshoe person). There is the BEST coffee spot here and a chocolate shop. We stopped here many times for cappuccinos or iced coffees, and the people were the sweetest. Lovely spot to chill for a while away from the bustle.
We had dinner at the hotel and investigated the Ham Yard’s rooftop garden. Max was intrigued by the bee hives!
The Wallace Collection, Grayson Perry, Marylebone, and Regent’s Park
The next day we had reservations at The Wallace Collection, and the Grayson Perry Exhibit. The Wallace Collection was built over the 18th and 19th centuries by the Marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace. It was given to Britain in the 1890’s. The home was converted to a museum and opened in 1900, with an incredible collection of art and sculpture. There are many famous works. I especially enjoyed the many paintings of horses and animals.
Like all museums in Britain, entrance is free except for special exhibits. We had purchased online tickets to ‘Grayson Perry, Delusions of Grandeur.’ though we knew nothing about this amazing artist. Grayson reimagines himself as a fantasy heiress Shirley Smith, an ‘outsider artist’. He uses 60 pieces of his own art and some from the Wallace Collection to tell her story. Many are comments on mental health, society, wealth, and patriarchy. He uses tapestry, pottery, paintings and furniture in this show. The exhibit runs until October this year.
This two minute clip is artist Grayson sharing a bit more…
At the Wallace Collection, you can have tea, lunch or cakes in the lovely glass covered cafe . We had lunch after the museum. I bought a silk scarf that was a collaboration of Grayson’s show with Liberty of London in the gift shop. He also has wallpaper and fabric with Liberty in the exhibit.
Marylebone
I noticed there were a few British stores in the Marylebone area near the museum, so I asked Max if we could go hit The White Company and Me + Em . I had no idea how charming this area was and fell in love with it! We noticed there were many cute corner pubs.
We found a great place called The Orrery to have a cappuccino, sit in the sun, and people watch a little. I fell in love with Marylebone! We wandered further to meander through the pretty Regent’s Park. It was a nice day with families having picnics and kids playing tennis.
We had just approached the Queen Mary garden when I heard a loud crash. Thunder? I had checked the weather and nothing was in the forecast.
We looked at each other and saw a bench with a bush hanging over it and quickly dashed to it. The next thing we knew we were in total downpour! We had just remarked how beautiful the day was! Fortunately I had a teeny umbrella with me and we huddled under it for almost 20 minutes. When the rain let up, we and the rest of the park inhabitants who were hiding somewhere, ran quickly out towards the Tube like wet rats! Everyone on the Tube was also soaked, so we weren’t the only ones surprised by the downpour!
That night we had a cozy evening in with room service. While we dried out we watched tennis on the television and read the paper. One thing I adore about London is the size of the newspapers! Everyday we got The London Times delivered to the room with hundreds of articles in it! It blew my mind the dedication to print and the time one could spend enjoying an old fashioned newspaper there. Love that! There was also the International NYTimes Edition with full wide old school size and entire pages devoted to things like the latest hat by Prada. Swoon! There were many other great London papers in the hotel. Max would roll his eyes, but we are truly missing out here with everything online.
Next week I’ll share our day out at Hampstead Heath, the London play we saw, and how we planned our day at Wimbledon.
Apple Crisp!
If you missed it, Elizabeth shared a perfect fall apple crisp! this looks delicious and how pretty are her cups she styled them in? This just makes me so ready for fall.
Democracy
I’ve been so glad to see Newsom stepping into the void of Dem party leadership (with a young PR wiz), and that California fighting back with a temporary gerrymander in an attempt to save us from four years of a congress with no push back on all Trump is doing.
Trump’s attack this week on the Smithsonian and telling them that its museums would be ‘required to adjust any content that the administration finds problematic in “tone, historical framing and alignment with American ideals” and that it ‘focused too much on slavery’ is just another way Trump is minimizing the black experience in America. His plan to make American history more happy, less factual, is scary. Whitewashing history is done by authoritarian regimes, not nations who want to evolve and raise great humans.
Speak out, and keep the faith in the power of good people. If we all push back on these horrible things, it will make a difference. It’s just so much.
I think this is a lot of us…
If you missed last week’s post, I shared style tips from French women and what to buy in Paris and London..
Have a great weekend and sending you all hugs,
Kim
Please stop by Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs for more good things…
PINECONES AND ACORNS
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
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Good morning Kim,
I am never tired of your trip posts, keep them coming! I love all of the details and fun out of the way places that you find.
I could not agree more about the newspapers and magazines, they are all great! Sadly here in the states our papers and magazines have either folded or are so skimpy it is not worth reading.
Liberty and F&M are favorites of mine as well, there is always so much to see and buy. I am a pushover for scarves and tins of cookies, tea, chocolate, etc.
The advent calendar is AMAZING and a treat for yourself or some special.
Do you follow Jo Good Middle Age Minx on Youtube? She lives in Marleybone and frequently shares little shops, etc. I think you would love her. https://www.youtube.com/@MiddleAgedMinx
The English bookshops are another favorite thing of mine! They are quaint and filled with not only helpful associates but so many fabulous books that we never seem to hear of here. All the more reason to visit and bring an extra suitcase.
Your new rug looks beautiful! As do the wallpaper samples!
Have a lovely weekend Kim, thank you for taking us along on your adventures!
xo
I love your travel posts and certainly appreciate the time it takes to create them. Signed up for F&M emails for Christmas “hamper” ideas.
Speaking up and trying hard to continuously keep the faith.
Hi Carolina, I am glad you enjoy them! Oh the Christmas hampers are wonderful gifts!
Thank you for speaking up. Hang in there. I feel the same. Sending you hugs. x
Hi Elizabeth! Yes we are sorely missing out on good news and journalism in so many ways. Online is not a better choice!
I am following Jo now as she seems to be popular! What a fun account.
Oh love the bookshops in the UK very much. You need to lead a trip for us! x
I got a kick out of your last comment…”Please don’t mistake…”
What a great trip you had. Love it all.
Such a pretty runner, too! I love it when you realize something works in another place even better.
Mary Ann it embodied all I am feeling right now.
I know I am moving things around. It’s like my sport!! xo
I love your travel posts! This one does not disappoint. It includes good tips, secret finds and conveys the vibe of contemporary London ( in Wimbledon season no less!). Your aesthetics not to mention your morality/politics resonate also. Thanks for all your reportage.
Hi Penelope! So happy you enjoyed it!
Aw thank you. x
Beautiful post, Kim. I really enjoyed it, and I heartily agree with the saying you shared. My husband and I are looking forward to going to the Austin Gay Pride Parade downtown this evening. It begins right in front of our state capitol. 😃
Lisa thank you! How fun Austen has its Pride in summer. Great spot for it too! Yay for being part of it. xo
Love your politics!
Thank you Cristi! x
Kim your trip sounds absolutely fabulous and that scarf is beyond wonderful! I love the designs of the Firmdale hotels …amazing!!
Thanks Cindy! I love the Firmdales so much! xx
I’m embarrassed that I don’t comment enough on all your fabulous posts, from home and fashion, to travel and politics. I very much enjoyed your Paris & London recap. Keep the faith Kim. He’ll be off the stage at some point.
Barb, I’m just so glad you enjoy the blog. Sweet of you to leave a note.
I am staying positive Barb and looking forward to that day.xo
Kim, I love your style and even more I value your willingness to speak out on important political issues. While I don’t comment much, I am a faithful reader of your blog and a follower of both of your Instagram accounts!
Oh thank you Maggie! Thank you for your note and for being here. xo
Kim – How lucky to be in London during Wimbledon! Your posts really capture the flavor of the city and the many opportunities for art and adventure. Don’t know if I ever paid enough attention to Newsom, but I’m delighted to see him give it back to those stupid and corrupt poseurs.
Susan it was a fun atmosphere being there at that time. Aw thank you. So much art and culture!
I know go Newsom! xo
Kim,
I really enjoyed this post! And I’m excited to visit some of your recommendations! And couldn’t agree more about enjoying newspapers, especially in England… we are very missing out. Let’s hope our search for a better world will bring them back— with democracy, of course ✊🏽🩵
Lisa
Lisa, Thank you! Yes we are missing out. Totally agree with you!
Hi Kim
I just started receiving and reading your newsletter and very much enjoy it very much, so thank you.
And thank you for speaking out
Michèle
Thank you so much Michèle! x
Love your blog and comments. I haven’t been to Liberty’s in over 40 years. I will never forget when I went to the rug department, I thought I was in a story from 1001 Arabian Nights. It was a jewel-like setting with all the rich colors and rugs everywhere, even on the ceiling. We plan to go to England in 2027 (2026 is a cruise from Athens to Rome with a week in Italy). Last time were in London we stayed in South Kensington near the V & A. Marlybourne looks wonderful, I’ll check it out. That’s where PD James, the author, lived.
Cindylou, Thank you! Really appreciate this.
Wow I have not been to the rug department and I guess I missed out! I do not doubt it is as beautiful as you say.
Oh what a good idea to add it to what sounds like a wonderful cruise.
The South Kensington is great too. Love the V&A! I did not know PD James lived there! xo
The best part of Newsom’s current tactics is how infuriated the Fox crowd seems to be by them!
Your trip sounds so lovely…thanks for sharing!
Sarah so mad he is doing what they approved in Trump! Holding a mirror to the man basically.
xo
Kim! I love your new rug, perfect in the hallway. And, I’m swooning over the color scheme for your bedroom. Looking forward to seeing what you choose. I live for your travel posts and London is my favorite city in the world. Well, city that I’ve been to and I suppose that’s not an extensive list. Anyway, isn’t the Eurostar great? Remember when we had to cross the channel the old fashioned way … by ferry? Not always pleasant. Anyway, London!!! Maryleborne is charming … I’ve never spent time there but feel like I’ve heard it called out on the Tube more than any other stop. Anyway, adding it to my list of places to explore when we return – hopefully next fall – to London. I’ll be consulting you, of course. And will need all your tips on where to have tea and scones. We need to bring back real newspapers (online is NOT the same experience) and afternoon tea (with scones!). I’m so happy – and proud – to see our governor fighting back in such an effective manner. I’ve had it with politicians who feel we should maintain normal decorum while our government and law abiding citizens are under a vicious assault … talk about fiddling while Rome burns. It’s time to get down in the gutter and fight fire with fire. Gov. Newsom seems to be getting under their skin and I couldn’t be happier. It’s unfortunate that this is where we are … teetering on the edge of a cliff from which there’s no coming back. xo
Thanks Juliet! Excited to change the bedroom vibe to this calm. London is my favorite too. SO much to see and never enough time. For sure I will help you find the scones…you now me!
I miss papers and good reading material.
We are so lucky to ahem Gavin! x
Hi Kim,
Thank you for sharing your London visit l am going back home in November to see family and cannot wait! I will check out the museum you mentioned l have never been there, and Fortnum and Mason’s l love and always bring back a couple of chutney jars for my hubby and a lemon curd for me. It is also a wonderful place to eat FYI. The restaurant is excellent. You have inspired me going to Wimbledon. l mentioned we should do that with my sister in law and l hear she is looking into tickets passionate international tennis fan that she is.
So happy Gavin Newson is infuriating the Fix News crowd. We need more resistance to this authoritarian wave. Happy week Kim!
Francesca, How wonderful to be going in November! I think you will love the museum. It’s an under-rated gem. Oh the F&M chutney! I need to try it.
Oh I hope you get to Wimbledon!! Must do if you can.
Yes more resistance! xo
Hi Kim,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking so many great pictures of your holidays. You could easily go into the travel business. Your details on everything is outstanding.
Your rugs and wall paper fabulous. Good luck with finishing up your master bedroom. Big decision, the colors are tranquil and peaceful, good for the soul.
Yes, yay for Governor Newsom we are aware that he is speaking out. We are fans. The Felon Monster I try to ignore him. Now he wants to take our mail in voting rights away. The on going saga of him never stops. Thank goodness he does not fool all of us.
Hi Dear Katherine! Aw you are so kind. Oh I need luck I am a turtle doing these house things. Tranquil is my goal.
I know Newsom is inspiring so many now. Love that the Illinois governor is speaking up too.
Ugh mail-in voting is how we make sure we all get to vote. Trump will do anything to rig the election because we all know he and the GOP can’t win without ‘help.’ xo
Hi Kim! What a great trip you had to London! I adore Liberty too. When I went to London with my dad back in 2019, he patiently waited while I took everything in, My parents lived in London when I was in college and I loved going home during school breaks!
Beautiful photos. What a dream come true for you to attend Wimbledon. I love London, although it was 1994 when I went.
Rita I know it was a dream of mine. I am so glad you got to go too. I bet it was fun in 94!
Hi Kim, I don’t mind it at all when you draw your travel posts out – you have such wonderful taste, I love to see where you go and what you buy etc.
If you like Marylebone you might enjoy Jo Good’s YouTube channel, Middle Aged Minx – she lives right in the heart of it! She is a former actress and does a radio show for the BBC a couple of nights a week, plus she does an occasional fashion spot on This Morning on ITV. She turned 70 earlier this year and is having a whale of a time!
Hi Patricia, Aw thank you.
Oh I am going to Jo Good’s channel. Thank you. She sounds like fun. xo
Love this post! What a great trip! The picture of you and Max under the umbrella is adorable! You should frame that one!!
Aw thanks Chris! I need to do that! x
I love everything you write — and do. Your instagram is one of my favourites. Thank you for writing such interesting posts.
I’m so pleased you like Marylebone. It’s one of my favourite areas of London, too. The bookshop called Daunt is one of the best in London. And there is a gorgeous little ribbon and trim / haberdashery store — VV Rouleaux. Lots of fashion-loving people I know go, to pick up things for their outfits. I miss London! I’m flying there again in 2 weeks, and can’t wait. Thank you again for these beautiful images.
Janelle, I am so excited to get a note from one of my most favorite writers! Wow thank you.
Yes Marylebone is wonderful. I have to get to Daunt next time- and VV Rouleaux.
Have a wonderful time on the trip. I look forward to following along on your Substack!
Hi Kim,
I haven’t commented in a while…a lot going on around here. Family drama…sigh. Looks like you had a fantastic vacation…have to live vicariously through your posts! Haven’t been traveling much these days. We have a huge concrete project looming involving a long driveway and a lot of retaining walls and a patio. It’s all starting to go. Not fun stuff to spend money on! But our house is over 75 years old.
I love the wallpaper choices, there are so many! The Schumacher one is especially pretty.
Trying to distance myself from watching too much about that is going on in Washington. I try to limit the news and only watch a couple YouTube channels a day. For a while I was getting sucked in and it affected my mood. Love the last thing you put up…being kind doesn’t mean we tolerate what is going on. My neighbor sent me something last night…it’s funny but at the same time a reality. I will forward it to you on IG.
The weather has been amazing until this week. Humidity is supposed to drop next week.
Linda
Linda that sounds like a lot happening! I hear you about spending money on things like that. We have a crumbling pool darn those house and infrastructure upkeep things are expensive. I know our house is older too. Hopefully, you’ll be glad it’s all done.
You are smart to limit the news now. It is dark many days. I also can only take so much. We need to find the bright things right now.
Take care Linda! Will look for your insta message. xo
So much to comment on here! Love reading about your trip to London! You always find the best places! Even a secret courtyard with coffee!
I have been loving what Newsome is doing!! I only wish the Colbert show wasn’t on hiatus! I would love to get his take!
Xx
Annie, I feel the same about your travels. I am so happy about Newsom! Finally we have someone pushing back.
I know we need Colbert- and John Oliver. Can’t wait to hear what they think. xo
Hi Kim,
What an amazing trip! Max is such a good sport to accompany you to all your favorite shopping spots….and those museums! I love all the art, the cafes, coffee and sweet treats….the beautiful silk scarf you purchased. Walking everywhere is just the best too. It truly was an enjoyable read and your effort in putting it all together is much appreciated. Every trip needs a funny story…..you two huddled under the tiny umbrella is SO cute! I had to check out the online site for Fortum & Mason, and wouldn’t you know I’d find a cute little pitcher I had to have ~ TY! Your new rug is perfect in the hallway and the wallpaper ideas…..well it might be tough to choose, as all are great choices. I’m right with you on the bullsh*t! Thanks for sharing your fun vacation with us. 💗
Hi Cheryl, He usually finds a comfy chair! He does like the museums- hates shopping usually!
Aw thank you so much. Ha! I won’t forget getting drenched.
Oh F&M is so great isn’t it? I need to look there for special things online too!
xo
Hello Kim,
Your trip to London in Paris seems like a dream I have taken notes-and hope to get back there sometime if even though for just a few days! I love the rug in your entry-it looks great there! I was looking at that same herringbone Wallpaper from Ballard in blue I think it’s great!!
Hi Martha! Aw thanks. I hope you get back too. Ballard has some very cute papers don’t they?
xo
Love this London info! We are hoping to go sometime soon and it’s great to get firsthand info on where to go and what to see!
🇬🇧
HI Gray! I hope it helps! You are so lucky to be going soon. xo