"Design London" is a Guide to the Must-See Spots Across the City

The book’s authors take us on an exclusive tour of their must-visits – from a newsagents to a station-side coffee shop.

Design
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Design, by definition, is pretty wide-reaching. It’s a term often used to describe furniture, but in fact, it is everything around us: in one way or another, everything has been considered – and is therefore “designed”.

At least that’s the case made by two authors of a new book chronicling London’s design scene. Rosa Bertoli and Sujata Burman (who met while working as Design Editors at Wallpaper* magazine), have traipsed around the city they call home, searching for the best examples of design it has to offer.

These culminate in a new book titled “Design London”, published by Hoxton Mini Press as a follow-up to their previous title “An Opinionated Guide to London Architecture”.

A key thing for Bertoli and Burman was capturing the diverse nature of design on offer in the capital city, looking beyond fancy stores and lofty museums – although fear not, they are also included. “London is a global center for design, and you don’t need deep pockets to enjoy it,” they say. “Whether you want to ogle Eames chairs, score exquisite stationery, visit world-leading museums or discover luxurious homeware, this unapologetically opinionated guide will tell you how to experience the very best of the city’s rebellious, ever-evolving design scene.”

To celebrate the book’s launch, we asked them to select 10 must-visit examples from the book, available from the Hoxton Mini Press website for £10.95 GBP.

Read on for their edit.


Bexleyheath High Streets for All

“London’s public seating tends to be missed, but PoOR Collective shows how local high streets can be celebrated by creating moments of bright, interesting furniture, games, and signage.”

Bexleyheath High Street

Cockpit Arts

“Supporting makers is important in an expensive city like London. Cockpit is a social enterprise doing just that for independent craftspeople, from jewellers to knifemakers.”

Cockpit Arts, London WC1N 2NP

Vitra

“Contemporary design meets 1905 London. The renovated Eastern London Tramway takeover by the Swiss design company makes it one of the capital’s chicest spaces – an inspiration on every visit.”

32 Rivington St, London EC2A 3LX

Somerset House

“There’s a magical feeling in the courtyard setting of Somerset House, and the fact this building is home to creativity, from artist studios to design exhibitions, makes it an exciting space to be in all year around.”

Strand, London WC2R 1LA

Clay Station by Assemble

“This is a perfect example of what London is about: community, coffee and the Underground.”

665 Seven Sisters Rd, South Tottenham, London N15 5LA

Jasper Morrison Shop

“A treasure trove of discovery and homewares. Here you can get a look into the world of the British designer with its rotating exhibitions.”

24b Kingsland Rd, London E2 8DA

Studio Voltaire

“A home for works by underrepresented and emerging talent. At Studio Voltaire you can experience experimental design everywhere from the front garden to artist studios to the toilet, which is an art commission itself.”

1A Nelsons Row, London SW4 7JR

Tottenham Court Road Station

“Most Londoners dislike rush hour on the tube, but this busy station offers respite in the form of mosaics by pop artist Eduardo Paolozzi and a colourful welcome from Daniel Buren – free art on the underground at its best.”

Oxford St, London WC1A 1DG

Shreeji Newsagents

“Our favorite newsagent in London has some of the best print publications on offer. We head here during some of its pop-ups and events when some of these periodicals come to life with talks and exhibitions.”

6 Chiltern St, London W1U 7PT

St Giles Square

“More public space design to enjoy for free. Sit on marble masterpieces by Sabine Marcelis while admiring brutalist landmark Centrepoint.”

St Giles Square

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