London Shops: Decorated for Fall

by Lauran

I just returned from a week in London, taking in the markets, favorite retailers (and maybe a few pub visits too!).  The weather was crisp and it was fun to bundle up in scarves, sweaters and boots -- a nice change from our own local October heat wave.

The autumn chill set the stage for a trend I noticed in shop windows: dining tables fully decorated for inside, colder-weather entertaining. For example, The Conran Shop (one of Visual Jill's very favorites) carried out a "Dinner Is Served" theme with two very different displays: one more rustic and utilitarian (note the simple wood table, aluminum chairs and crusty bread), the other much more sleek and glamorous in black and white (complete with Saarinen Tulip Chairs and Round Table and white ceramic accents).

Another store in the Marylebone district, Skandium, showed a clean, casual table setting with a great mix of textures, colors and materials. I love the pillows displayed in the big baskets -- as if inviting us to grab one, fill our plates, and enjoy our meal on the cozy carpet.

 And inside Marylebone's La Fromagerie, I spotted this clever presentation of the season's pumpkins and gourds:

With such wonderful displays, it's a shame those Brits don't get to host Thanksgiving dinners!