Design Lessons I Learned From London

After a recent trip to London, my love of the city was renewed. The history, the acceptance of imperfection and a celebration of pattern and authentic design is prevalent whether in a restaurant, retail store or simply walking the streets.

I’ve mentioned before I often feel as though I was born in the wrong country, as everything about this city speaks to my heart. (That being said, I’ve only been to one other major European city so this could change. Time to pack my bags again)

Here’s what my time in London taught me about design.

Imperfectly Perfect

Nothing is perfect, yet everything feels right. The British have no errs about accepting well lived and loved design details. Us North Americans love things to be perfect, durable, maintenance friendly and ultimately, to be good quality. The irony is, some of the most common materials in London are natural stones, lasting for centuries. We tend to shy away from natural stones due to their maintenance requirements, however the beauty of their imperfections is what gives them life and depth. They are built to last. Sure they might show the odd oil ring or wine spill, but (in my humble opinion), that contributes to the experience of the material, resulting in stories and memories while in use.

Honour Age/ History

Not everything in London is new, in fact it’s quite the opposite. The city is old and its people embrace that. Whether the pipes and fittings, worn floors, stone walls and marble tiles, London, wouldn’t be London without this level of charm. When we remove the old for the new (depending on the circumstances of course) we erase history and a place in time. I’d love to see more cities celebrate their past and restore rather than remove. Build it well, once. Then maintain and preserve.

Pattern Play

Londoners don’t shy away from mixing patterns. It’s rare to find a home without several considered throughout, whether wallpaper, furniture, window treatments, area carpets… I could go on. They truly are masters of the mix, and embracing patterns big and small.

For The Love Of Layers

Restraint isn’t the first word that comes to mind when I think of London design aesthetic. Whether in hard surfaces such as tile, or soft in the way of area carpets, layers are what makes this city special. Sometimes the layers are intentional, and other times it’s a result of history making its mark, and showing its age.

Authentically Authentic

London is unapologetic about its style, and continues to be set apart by its bravery in design. There is nothing repetitive about the design scene. Everyone embraces their own style and celebrates each others authenticity, individuality and personality. While arguably there’s a British “vibe” and overall aesthetic, there are no rules, and no pretences, simply great design. Let’s see more of this please!!

5 Ways To Bring London Into Your Home!

Push the boundaries by adding a little more pattern than simply via accent pillows. Adding wallpaper, patterned furniture, or GASP! both, would certainly liven your home and make it your own. Still uncertain about pattern? Add a little more colour to start.
Accept natural stone for all it has to offer, even its imperfections. There is nothing like the depth and character it brings to a room. Period.
Be unapologetically you! Take time to learn about what makes you feel good in your home. There are a lot of homes out there that look the same, thanks to Instagram. How can everyone want the same look and feeling when we’re all such different people? Step outside the ‘norm’ and embrace what you love, even if, actually especially if, it’s different from what you’re seeing on the ‘gram.
Be brave. Have you ever done something crazy like zip lining or cliff jumping, scared silly before doing it, then feeling fulfilled and overcome with joy afterwards? I challenge you to take the same approach with design. I don’t think you’ll regret it.
Put your memories on display. Embrace a little extra “clutter”, if you will, and put out your books, photo albums and picture frames. Fill your shelves with collectibles and memorabilia from travels and family heirlooms. Not only do these add to the feeling in your home, they start conversations, welcome back memories and build relationships.

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