I spent two quick nights in London right before the holidays last year. I only had a day to wander so I hit the Tube to check out a few particularly awesome stores in search of inspiration. Because it was late December it was an especially good time to explore - London really does Christmas well.
THE CONRAN SHOP
There used to be a Conran Shop in NYC, but sadly it's now a T.J. Maxx, which I am bummed about whenever I think of it. So it's a special treat to visit the store in London and ogle their colorful holiday decor amidst contemporary furniture. The selection of taper candles and linens in the best colors is hard to resist. They also had the most fun paper honeycomb decor for the holidays and the display of cacti in colored sand is a very well executed Pinterest bait.
The linen selection reminds me of Merci in Paris - clearly linens in good colors is a display that works.
This holiday tablescape makes me want to ditch my traditional red and metallics and go neon. The colors look so good against that Conran cobalt blue. I'm in love with those velvet chairs.
How fun would these decorations be for any kind of holiday, not just Christmas? Conran Shop, please come back to NYC!
MOMOSAN SHOP
These delightfully tiny vases live in one of the best curated shops I've ever seen. I could spend hours in that very small room. Every piece is a little bit of everyday art - the salt and pepper shakers I got are truly sculptural.
It was hard to leave without one of those ceramic canisters - the brush mark pattern is so pretty.
Shelves full of treasures, bathed in gorgeous light. I'm a very big fan of the spanish moss wreath with dried flowers and dark ribbon. Finally, justification for my hoarding of dead flowers.
The way the jewelry is displayed is so smart, especially the ring box filled with chunky salt. And I think there is definitely a DIY in those marbled clay statement earrings.
I wish my whole life were as perfectly designed as this nutcracker. And every pattern on those cards is one I'd wear.
All the ceramics in the shop are very cool. I did manage to get one of those incense holders in my suitcase.
PRESENT & CORRECT
When it comes to paper goods and office supplies, I'm an obsessive fangirl, and Present & Correct is the definitive voice. On my previous trip to London I timed a visit to the store wrong and could only peer sadly through the glass. So getting to spend as much time as I wanted amidst the modern and vintage supplies was glorious.
That funny little tabletop Christmas tree is what I've always wanted (we usually end up with something closer to nine feet which tends to take over the entire apartment). Those giant paper pencils could definitely be a DIY - maybe something back to school related? I'd love to have this archive of vintage holiday stamps for illustration inspiration.
I love a good pegboard display, especially when it includes some very special pairs of scissors. The font on those alphabet stamps is an absolute winner - I regret leaving this behind.
Two of my greatest weaknesses - erasers and washi tape - are very well represented here. Present & Correct is just as inspiring in person as it is on Instagram.