THE BRITISH INVASION, PART I: HOME DECOR

I can’t believe it’s been 5 months since we moved to London! It’s been a bigger adjustment than I expected but I’m now starting to think in both “American” and “English” - & it turns out there are some great synergies, like the ones I want to show you now…

The Attic at Babington House, a Soho House property

There is an interesting creative cross-pollination between England and the U.S. — and two British home decor brands I’ve been relying on here are in fact branching out into America now I wish I’d found them both sooner, ie; for house projects in DC and New Hampshire, as they bring a fresh look and will give your space something unique (in retrospect I’d been in kind of a rut, playing it too safe by using the same 2-3 brands on repeat).

A cozy corner at Dean Street Townhouse, a Soho House property, in central London

Both images above are from living spaces at Soho House properties (the banquette scene is in London, and bedroom is in a country house outside of London near Bath UK). Soho House’s inimitable style - at once modern and traditional, cozy but not cloying - was so beloved by guests that in 2019, Soho House started selling its furniture, bedding, accessories straight to consumers (as Soho Home).

Their dreamy store in London, above, is like walking into the lushest house - where everything (including this very comfy chair that I covet) is for sale. Complete with a cafe, old-fashioned records playing in the background & heavenly candles lit in each area, it’s a wonder I ever managed to leave the store at all!

Above is an amazing rug I got from Soho Home, made of recycled plastic bottles, that does heavy duty in the hallway of our London flat….(Forgive my photo quality here - husband has been down with Covid so I’m behind on my styling game this week:)

Soho.Home.Studio. - in NYC, Meatpacking District

They also have a studio/store in NYC — I can’t wait to visit it later this Spring & see how it compares to the London shop. (Did I mention they sell fresh flowers in the London store? I think all these gray skies make Brits even more obsessed with flowers and colors than I imagined!)

Below: another vignette from the London studio/store, where I found myself smelling all of their candles and home fragrances - settling after great & awkward deliberation on “Leather & Oud” as the winner that went home with me.

The Greyson lamp seems to be calling me - it has even more soul in person….

My second trans-atlantic source for you is the British-born, women-founded business, OKA. Their London shop (see below) is a way-too-short walk from our apartment (ahem, “flat”, I keep forgetting)….so I find myself browsing/shopping there a bit too much these days.

I would have known the brand was founded by women because all their pieces seem to “work,” ie; tested and approved by someone who knows how a house really functions - drinks tables are at just the right height, lighting is perfect wattage with the exact right shade for the space it has to illuminate….

Image of a British townhouse with OKA pieces (via OKA.com)

Ted & I found a great velvet ottoman/coffee table there for our new place - we have eaten on it during quarantine meals, put our feet up while watching TV, and breezily balance our cups of coffee on it with a tray….It is a workhorse & looks pretty gorgeous to me!

Apparently this piece is now on sale for less than half of what we paid - hope Ted doesnt read this!

Again, apologies for my B-game photos today, folks….

I also got this little striped garden stool from OKA for our balcony…another happy coffee-drinking moment for me:)

They have a U.S.-based online shop and are starting to open retail stores (currently 2 in Texas). If you want free shipping, use code “REFRESH22”. Below: sculptural end table & petite lamp…

Would not mind working in their desk space set-up (but where would all my piles go? Ah, that’s a post for another day….)

Next week I’m bringing you Part 2 of the British Invasion with some practical & beautiful British fashion brands that are taking their show on the road to America. See you next Wednesday!

And THANK YOU for reading along and sending in so many fun story ideas for future posts - my heart and head are full with appreciation and excitement for what 2022 can bring us all.

xo
Lee