Maison Assouline

I made a new discovery on Piccadilly the other day - Maison Assouline, the luxury book brand featuring Swan's Bar where we had afternoon tea.

 It was like sitting in someone's own private library with books on fashion, travel, jewellery and other luxury items, alongside antiques and beautifully crafted objects. A peaceful oasis in the west end. Originally designed by Edward Lutyens in 1922, its high windows let in plenty of light; on the mezzanine a traditional Italian bookbinder, Paolo Taddeo, has a studio.
Sophisticated craft meets high end luxury.

Art as therapy

Enjoying reading an extract 'On beauty' in http://www.elledecoration.co.uk/. It is taken from a favourite author Alain de Botton's new book 'Art as Therapy' which I'm sure to be ordering soon

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' we ... need beauty as an essential prop to our moods and sense of wellbeing......What we need most from beauty is hope: hope that, despite the evidence, life can be made serene, hopeful, kind and meaningful.' 

French Institute Mediatheque

The library as it is now with Art Deco features around the windows

I love the old spiral staircase

London Open House is always a fantastic time of year. This year we were in South Ken - for ice cream at Odono's - and so we called in to the French Institute, a Grade 2 listed building. We were impressed by the Art Deco library - La Mediatheque - which will soon be undergoing an exciting and ambitious refurbishment. They will restore the Art Deco features and create a comfortable reading room. There will be a new children's area and a technology hub too. Look forward to seeing what it will look like.

Might also call in to see a film at the Cinema Lumiere in the meantime. Great atmosphere in the Institute. Glad we dropped by.

Plans for the old Art Deco library