Bungalow, Home of Scout's Blog

Fashion and Style from Deb Johns, creator of the Scout Collection by Bungalow

Concept Stores in Europe: The Shop at Bluebird (London) March 2, 2012

Filed under: design,Travel Log — Deb Johns @ 8:12 am
Tags: , , ,

“The concept store is dominating trendsetting…

pushing the boundaries and raising the bar across categories of fashion, home, cosmetics, gifts, and dining. The most dynamic and concentrated version of a ‘department store’, the concept store takes point of view to new heights, blending established brands with rising stars. The best feature – high and low market finds side by side that offer the customer a refreshing retail experience. Fashion rises up around concept stores!”

SPOTLIGHT ON

The Shop at Bluebird, 350 King’s Road  Chelsea, London SW3 5UU, United Kingdom
020 7351 3873

“Terrance Conran, who created the trendy home store Conran’s as well as an array of London eateries continues to set the bar high with “Bluebird”, combining two cafes, one high-end restaurant and a fab boutique. The Shop at Bluebird includes womens- and menswear, a day spa and a Real Flower stand. Featured items include books, potter, candles, jewelry… featured labels include diffusion lines from Alice Temperly (Temperly), Marc Jacobs (Marc), Sonia Rykiel (Sonia) and Vanessa Bruno (Athe) as well as collections from Marni, Comme des Garcons, Carven, Alexander Wang and John Derian.”

photos below courtesy of the Shop at Bluebird and Bluebird Chelsea web sites -

NEIGHBORHOOD MUST-SEES

“While in the neighborhood be sure to check out fashion, design and gourmet landmarks on Kings Road, namely Rococco Chocolate; Designers Guild (two shops); Zara and Zara Home; Worlds End by Vivienne Westwood; Manolo Blahnik just off of Kings Road on Old Church Street. For great eateries, look no further than the cafes at Bluebird!”

 

Concept Stores in Europe: Dover Street Market (London) March 1, 2012

Filed under: design,Travel Log — Deb Johns @ 8:21 am
Tags: , , ,

“The concept store is dominating trendsetting…

pushing the boundaries and raising the bar across categories of fashion, home, cosmetics, gifts, and dining. The most dynamic and concentrated version of a ‘department store’, the concept store takes point of view to new heights, blending established brands with rising stars. The best feature – high and low market finds side by side that offer the customer a refreshing retail experience. Fashion rises up around concept stores!”

SPOTLIGHT ON

Dover Street Market, 17-18 Dover Street  London W1S 4LT, United Kingdom
020 7518 0680

“Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons fame has compiled five floors of the best designers, creating a collective, fashion-forward point of view! Featured labels include Peter Pilotto, Christopher kane, Azzedine Alaia, Celine, Cutler & Gross, Marni, Comme des Garcons, Wantanabe, Alexander Wang, and Lanvin.”

NEIGHBORHOOD MUST-SEES

“While in the neighborhood be sure to check out new and old Bond Streets – luxury brand stores abound; Regent Street, which has the Liberty store, the ultimate resource for home to fashion, gifts and accessories and even fabric; Picadilly for all your silver jubilee and keepsakes you desire. Great eateries include Fortnum &  Mason for high tea; the La Duree outpost for macaroons; Rose Bakery on the 4th floor of DSM (with a sister café in Paris).”

 

Three Cities, Five Days: Where to Shop, Gifts & Home November 18, 2011

Filed under: Lifestyle,Travel Log — Deb Johns @ 8:26 am
Tags: , , , ,

IN PARIS: Maison de Vacances has custom cashmere and leather pillows and throws, located in the Palais Royale; for an exotic/old world spice and kitchen store, try Izrael Epicerie du Monde in the Marais area; Jamin Peuch for the ultimate over-the-top accessory – no doubt a collector’s item – located in on Rue Vieille du Temple; Fragonard began as a perfumery and now sells amazing linens, scarves, travel bags… perfect for gifts, located on Saint Germain down from Café Flore.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN MILAN: Fornasetti has a beautiful new location on Via Bazzina and features a range of homewares and gifts – from pillows to ceramics – and also houses an impressive collection of Fornasetti work from the last 50 years; the basement of Rinascente Department Store (also open Sunday) has become the Design Supermarket, which features a wide range of international homewares and gifts; Laduree has a brand new location in Milan, on Via Spadari, and while it is great for breakfast and lunch it is also perfect for gifts… their gift boxes of macaroons are the perfect small treat for friends and family. We should note that Milan is the capital for contemporary and innovative furniture design, and many outposts are located throughout the city.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN LONDON: Begin at the basement of Selfridges department store, conveniently located on Oxford Street, a shopping ‘Mecca’, featuring a carefully edited spectrum of home and gift pros from around the globe; Conran’s, located in South Kensington, still offers some of the best furnishing to gift options in the city… stop in at Bibendum Oyster Bar; Designers Guild on the Kings Road has two shops, one featuring upholstery and wallpaper, the other home furnishings, linens, and gifts… if you need a little sunshine on a rainy British day, this is your destination; Villandry, a ‘restaurant, bar, and foodstore’ is not to be missed, and is conveniently located in Soho/the theatre district.

 

Three Cities, Five Days: Where to Shop RTW November 17, 2011

Filed under: fashion,Travel Log — Deb Johns @ 8:16 am
Tags: , , , ,

IN PARIS: Colette is still the most avant garde fashion concept store in Paris… visit especially to have a ‘museum’ experience, as you may do more looking than buying; Merci is a fashion/home store with two cafes that was started by the owners of Bonpoint and is conveniently located near the major shopping streets in the Marais; for the epitome of salon or atelier shopping, Dries van Noten is the destination… as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the fabulous clothing, and they’ve recently opened a men’s shop next door; Victoire, located at Place de Victoire as well as the Left Bank features contemporary very wearable fashion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN MILAN: Corso Como 10 is still the best concept store for fashion, gifts, and home in Milan and features a café and a restaurant… added bonuses: it’s a great walk from the Brera area, and it’s open on Sunday – rare in Europe; another one of our favorites is Aspesi which is an outerwear resource for men and women, and they’ve recently added RTW collections… located in the heart of luxury shopping on Montenapoleone (rarely available in the US – a must-visit!); a new player in the edgy fashion realm is Wait and See, located on a quaint ‘spider web’ street, Via Santa Marta, it is a must see for young and old.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN LONDON: London is a very spread out array of boroughs, each of which features its own shopping district and unforgettable gems. A few of our favorites include: for the best overview of European and British fashion, Liberty of London is your destination (connects with Regent Street and Soho, two standout shopping areas)… also includes great home and gift options, as well as a fantastic café; Dover Street Market continues to be the ultimate concept/fashion store in London, owned and run by Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons, she features her sister-in-law’s café Rose Bakery on the top floor (located near Bond Street, a luxury brand shopping area); Jeffrey, with locations around the city (including Westbourne Grove near Notting Hill and South Kensington), looks great again as a blender of high end European, Asian, and American brands for women. Be sure to check out stores in these areas we’ve recommended and find your own favorite – these are all strong browsing areas of the city!

 

Three Cities, Five Days: Where to Eat Dinner November 16, 2011

Filed under: Local Flavor,Travel Log — Deb Johns @ 8:12 am
Tags: , , , ,

IN PARIS: Frenchie has classic French fare in a hip atmosphere; Spring, as the name suggests, has a market-menu that features the freshest pick or catch… make your reservation early!; La Societe off of Boulevard Saint Germain is a hot destination for an international crowd – the place to be on a Saturday night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN MILAN: Obika is a casual yet hip mozzarella bar located on top of Rinascente department store, where you can dine al fresco for a great view of the Duomo; Clandestino Milano is a restaurant at the hotel Maison Moschino serving food from chef Moreno Cedroni; after a day of luxury shopping, try one of two restaurants conveniently located in the Grand Hotel et de Milan, the Caruso and the Don Carlos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN LONDON: Le Trois Garcons in Islington, a feast for the eyes and the stomach; located in the center of Mayfair, the Greenhouse is luxury dining at its finest, “where creative European cuisine emerges from a classical French background”; Arbutus and the Sugar Club are terrific before or after theatre meals.

 

Three Cities, Five Days: Where to Eat Breakfast/Lunch November 15, 2011

Filed under: Local Flavor,Travel Log — Deb Johns @ 8:38 am
Tags: , , , ,

IN PARIS: Laduree for not only tea but also lunch, visit the Left Bank location, at 21 Rue Bonaparte; try Les Deux Abeilles Salon de The, for refined French ladies who lunch with their daughters in a contemporary yet warm setting.

 

 

IN MILAN: low-end is Princi for amazing Foccaccia pizza; high-end is Bagutta, for great people-watching and fabulous Italian; the Corso Como Café has great smaller bites and even better people-watching.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN LONDON: Madsen on the Old Brompton Road is a light and airy loft space that serves up healthy continental food with a twist; Ottolenghi is a market/restaurant with irresistible fresh offerings and the largest meringues on the planet.

 

Three Cities, Five Days: Where to Stay November 14, 2011

Filed under: Lifestyle,Travel Log — Deb Johns @ 8:48 am
Tags: , , ,

IN PARIS:

Mama Shelter, designed by Phillipe Starke… amazing deal, though location is not ideal, since it lies outside the center of the city; a great price and awesome location in the midst of renovation is the Hotel de l’Universite; for the total hipster, Hotel Thoumieux is located in the 7th arondissement and features creative use of color and pattern throughout the building, delicious food downstairs and to die for baked goods next door.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN LONDON:

St. Martin’s Lane is still one of the quintessential yet contemporary London hotels… plan to shop at Saville Row, also the theatre is a must-see nearby; the Zetter is a very affordable, very hip young hotel in Clerkenwell, near Islington… look for edgy shopping and cheap eats, the real bohemian kind of look; Number Sixteen has just been renovated yet again… always a new facelift, always looking fabulous, as is the area surrounding it, South Kensington.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN MILAN:

The Four Seasons is the epitome of luxury and location… embedded in the luxe shopping ‘Mecca’ of Via Gesu, the building is a ‘reborn’ 15th century convent, which lends to its overall modest setting when compared to other Four Seasons locations; for the fashionistas, Spadari is right across from Laduree and in a great eating and shopping location; a hidden gem is 3 Rooms, at Corso Como 10, which is comprised of three individual suites.

 

London Eats May 20, 2010

Filed under: Lifestyle,Travel Log — Deb Johns @ 4:15 pm
Tags: ,

Villandry: located near the Theatre district, Villandry is a gourmet market, an unforgettable eatery serving British food with a twist.

Joe’s Café: is located near or in a wide range of Joseph stores (Joseph is best known for trendy private label as well as designer brands under one roof).

The Sugar Club: located in Soho, a trendy casual eatery, great for before or after theatre.

Fifteen: Jamie Oliver’s restaurant where he employs fifteen kids from tough backgrounds who have learned the trade. Both casual and opulent dining options are available.

Ottolenghi: Amazing Italian takeaway and eat in food located in the Westbourne Grove area. Don’t miss the overblown marangs.

Toms: craving American food across the pond? Try Toms for a typical diner breakfast or burger. A small American grocery store is located in the same space.

Carluccio’s: a trendy, ultra fresh Italian eatery with takeaway area. Various locations through the city.

St. Martins Lane Hotel: a Philippe Starck pet project houses a number of eateries. Located conveniently near Bond Street.

Madsen: modern Scandanivian cuisine. Located in the Brompton road area.

Daylesford Organic: an organic eatery and market in the Westbourne Grove area. Done in a very chic neutral palette. Don’t miss the retail store down the street for home goods and accessories.

 

London Wish List May 19, 2010

Filed under: fashion,Travel Log — Deb Johns @ 8:33 pm
Tags: , , , , , , , ,


Dover Street Market: a must see trendsetting market featuring the various lines of Comme des Garcons as well as an outpost of the Rose bakery whose sister’s restaurant is in Paris.

Cutler & Gross: located conveniently near Harrod’s and Harvey Nichols. Began as an eyewear resource to rock and roll bands in the 60’s and 70’s.  Collectible and timeless…

Celia Birtwell: Best known for her marriage to Ossie Clark in the 60’s and for her exuberant prints. Her shop features yard goods and accessories.

After Noah: features American retro furnishings and accessories. Check out the Kings road or Harvey Nichols location.

Hackett: the British answer to Polo…best known for its logo wear featuring exaggerated polo numbers on sleeves and chests .

Feathers: uber trendy outpost for edgy design located near Paul Smith in the Westbourne Grove .

Designers Guild: Trisha Guild’s home away from home featuring vibrant printed yard goods, linens, and towels to brighten up grey London days.

Whistles: features young, trendy designers as well as private label. Various locations…

Smythson of Bond Street: (the perfect last minute gift ) the Duty free shop at the airport produces stationary and iconic bound leather books for any occasion. They are pocket sized leather books with kitschy phrases in guild leathering. They combine a beautiful technique with something irreverent.

Emma Hope: the originator of fancy footwear in London, specializes in beaded and embroidered satins and velvets…Visit their outlet in Islington.

 

Shop ’till You Drop, London May 18, 2010

Filed under: fashion — Deb Johns @ 4:32 pm
Tags: , , , , ,

  

Paul Smith is known for his quirky twists on bespoke men’s and women’s wear suitings and ready-to-wear. Don’t miss this Paul Smith flagship located in the Westbourne house on Kensington Park Road.

 

Jigsaw is an upper end chain that features London bohemian ensembles for women and children.

 

Butler& Wilson recently celebrated their 40th anniversary. The iconic costume jeweler located in South Kensington and on S. Molton Street. …Tierras anyone?

 

 
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 136 other followers

%d bloggers like this: