OCCUPATION: Owner of MyWalls interior design firm
MY STYLE: Modern with a twist of elegance and simplicity, like old military trousers with a high-heel shoe. I love Stella McCartney, Lanvin, and Givenchy, but I also shop at Zara. At home, I’m drawn to natural colors, simple and elegant shapes, and designs with a touch of present and past. I like cement, wood, and stone.
I LOVE LONDON BECAUSE: The city has a lot to offer, such as beautiful parks, museums, schools, theaters, sports facilities, cooking classes, art courses, you name it! You never feel like a foreigner here, or that’s my impression. It’s a large cosmopolitan city, yet everything you need is accessible, and the residential districts are very relaxed.
Ottolenghi
All the dishes on Ottolenghi’s daily-changing menu are prepared simply from scratch, healthy, and bursting with flavor. What’s more, the eatery offers a variety of cooking classes through the Leiths School of Food and Wine. Make a reservation early, as classes are known to fill up months in advance!
Gagosian
What began as a contemporary art gallery in Los Angeles now has 11 international locations—and is still growing. We Love Larry Gagosian’s all-star list of artists, which has included Francis Bacon, Damien Hirst, Jasper Johns, Jeff Koons, Takashi Murakami, Jackson Pollack, and Ed Ruscha, to name a few.
Zuma
Contemporary Japanese in a chic setting, Zuma is a favorite with the fashion crowd for its exquisite small bites and organic cuisine. The restaurant boasts one of London’s finest sake lists, as well as a killer wine list with hard-to-find bottles of Bordeaux. But be sure to plan ahead – with just a handful of tables, a reservation at Zuma is hard to come by.
The White Company
Our go-to for traditional bedding, home accessories, and gifts. We particularly love its signature pajamas in neutral colors, as well as the scented candle (our favorite is Tuscan Fig). The store also offers a charming array of children’s furniture in the neutral, versatile shade of—you guessed it—white.
New Covent Garden
The New Covent Garden has the largest selection of flowers, fruits, and vegetables in the United Kingdom (not to be confused with the tourist attraction Covent Gardens). The market opens at 3 am on weekdays and 4 am on Saturdays, when the selection is at its best. But if pre-dawn shopping isn’t your thing, New Convent Garden stays open until mid-morning.
Seen
Renowned for its customizable photographic gifts, Seen can transform your child’s drawing into a marble, acrylic, or canvas masterpiece. The shop can also print personalized holiday cards featuring your own family photos—they’re guaranteed to stand out from the rest.
Yauatcha
A modern twist on the traditional Chinese teahouse, Yauatcha in London’s SoHo was an instant success and won a Michelin star within the first year of opening. They have the “best dim sum in town,” says Maria Sibilia. Partially located underground, the dark mood lighting evokes a sexy, private atmosphere, which is counteracted by the energy coming from the open kitchen. The menu is comprised of Chinese grazing dishes, meaning that you can sample a lot of different dishes without filling up. You can also go beyond the boarders of China and try some teas from India, as well as Yauatcha’s handmade macaroons and chocolates.
Caramel Baby & Child
We love founder Eva Karayiannis’s sweet and innovative children’s designs, which blend Continental luxury with a quintessentially English sensibility. In addition to Caramel’s own line, the shop carries childrenswear by Marni and other designers.
Jane Asher
A former actress and fianceé of Paul McCartney, Jane Asher is best known today for her gorgeous birthday cakes. Asher’s delicious creations—the icing, the filling, and everything in between—are all homemade, and her customizable sponge cakes are in particularly high demand.