Take the tile tour
Think you’ve looked at London from every angle? Think again. Join us on a vibrant, pattern-filled journey of discovery that charts the history and creativity of our capital through its fascinating floors
Look at London from a new perspective with our guide to its most fascinating floors
1 Hudson Shoes Hotfoot it to this store on Hoxton Square to check out its wares and floors. 20 Hoxton Square, N1 ( hudsonshoes.com) 2 Bank of England Take the virtual tour on its website – sadly, you won’t be allowed inside the building itself. The floors are the work of Russian artist Boris Anrep (1883–1969), with mosaics depicting designs from ancient coins. This one of Saint George slaying the dragon is from the reverse of the Henry VIII George Noble coin (1526). Threadneedle Street, EC2 ( bankofengland.co.uk) 3 Dishoom Curry connoisseurs should sneak a peek under the table at these hexagonal tiles. 7 Boundary Street, E2 (dishoom.com)
4 Aesop Amble to Aussie skin and haircare brand Aesop’s Covent Garden store, where the serene interior is enlivened by green ‘Dandelion’ tiles by Claesson Koivisto Rune for Marrakech Design (marrakechdesign.co.uk). 7 King Street, WC2 (aesop.com) 5 Duck & Waffle This fabulous eatery is on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower, but its mismatched blue tiles are as impressive as the view of the London skyline. Try Alhambra Tiles for similar (alhambrahome.co.uk). 110 Bishopsgate, EC2 (duckandwaffle.com) 6 Tate Britain Seek out the spiral staircase – this floor stretches around it, a vision in monochrome. Millbank, SW1 (tate.org.uk)
EAST & CENTRAL LONDON FOLLOW OUR FOOTSTEPS AROUND THE HOTSPOTS OF THESE TWO NEIGHBOURHOODS, WHERE TILES WILL CATCH YOUR EYE ( IF YOU KNOW WHERE TO LOOK)
7 Hispania If you’re wondering whether a statement geometric design would work in your home, see how to clash patterns with confidence at this tapas restaurant. Find similar tiles at Bert & May ( bertandmay.com). 72 Lombard Street, EC3 ( hispanialondon.com) 8 Bloomsbury Coffee House Before heading downstairs to have a flat white at this trendy basement café, stop at the doorway above to admire this strikingly colourful sunburst mosaic. 20 Tavistock Place, WC1 ( bloomsburycoffeehouse.co.uk) 9 O’dell’s Tom O’dell’s lifestyle store sports this fantastic original Victorian floor. 24 Calvert Avenue, E2 (odellsstore.com)
10 Lima Floral Head to this fashionable Peruvian restaurant, which has a backdrop of bare brick walls, soft lighting and this bold, blue tiled floor. You’ll notice that the same tile is used here as in Aesop (4). 14 Garrick Street, WC2 ( limalondongroup.com) 11 Sketch This 18th-century tearoom and cocktail bar has long been a place to glean interior ideas. Each of its rooms has a theme: including artist Carolyn Quartermaine’s enchanted forest (see Carolyn’s own home on p204). 9 Conduit Street, W1 (sketch.london) 12 Honey & Co In this restaurant the menu and the flooring have Middle Eastern influences. 25a Warren Street, W1 ( honeyandco.co.uk) ➤
NORTH LONDON JOIN THE WELL- HEELED RESIDENTS OF PRIMROSE HILL AND MAIDA VALE FOR CUPCAKES, CRAFT BEERS, AND MORE INSPIRATIONAL FLOORS
13 Cabana Offering a taste of Brazil in Islington, this eatery is a feast for the eyes thanks to its tiles. 56 Upper Street, N1 (cabana-brasil.com) 14 Primrose Bakery Sample the delights of the famed Primrose Bakery amid its playful sorbet-hued interior, which is complemented by the beautifully delicate mosaic flagstone floor at the entrance. 69 Gloucester Avenue, NW1 ( primrose-bakery.co.uk) 15 Pepitos Close to King’s Cross Station, this venue claims to be London’s first sherry bar. Its intricate and wonderfully mismatched tiled floor certainly conjures a Mediterranean mood. 3 Varnishers Yard, Regents Quarter, N1 ( primrose-bakery.co.uk)
16 Warrington Hotel Moving west into Maida Vale, take in the incredible mosaic at the entrance of the renowned Warrington Hotel (also a brilliant restaurant) before tasting its fine craft beers. 93 Warrington Crescent, W9 ( faucetinn.com/warrington) 17 Thyme & Lemon Just a short way along Upper Street is this trendy tapas bar, where the relaxed mood is set by bare brick walls. Its elevated booths are complemented by this decorative blue tiled floor. 139 Upper Street, N1 (thymeandlemon.co.uk) 18 The Gardens Community Garden, Haringey This urban oasis is managed by local volunteers, who also run seasonal events. This nature-inspired mosaic can be found at the entrance. Doncaster Gardens, off Stanhope Gardens, N4 ( haringey.gov.uk)
TAKE THE TILE TOUR…
WEST LONDON SEE THE SIGHTS OF PORTOBELLO ROAD, HOLLAND PARK AND CHELSEA IN A WHOLE NEW LIGHT, BY DIRECTING YOUR GAZE DOWNWARDS
19 Leighton House Visit Holland Park’s Grade Ii-listed Leighton House. Now a museum, it’s a must-see for its Arab Hall, built to house owner Lord Leighton’s collection of tiles from the Middle East. 12 Holland Park Road, W14 ( leightonhouse.co.uk) 20 Anthropologie The intricately patterned floor suits the wares in this boho store. 131–141 King’s Road, SW3 (anthropologie.com) 21 Michelin House Commissioned by the Michelin Tyre Company in 1909, this building was later reimagined by Sir Terence Conran and Paul Hamlyn as Bibendum restaurant. The Michelin Man is still in residence. 81 Fulham Road, SW3 ( bibendum.co.uk)
22 Kupp For a shot of Scandinavian chic, visit this all-day eatery next to Paddington station. Hexagonal tiles in blues and greys punctuate the industrial concrete floor. Unit 53, 5 Merchant Square, W2 ( kupp.co) 23 Stella Mccartney The designer’s second London store, housed in an 18th-century building, is as striking as her creations and sports this pink herringbone parquet floor. 91–97 Fulham Road, SW3 (stellamccartney.com) 24 Electric Diner This detailed mosaic adds an Art Deco-inspired edge to this delicious Portobello Road French/ American eatery, located in members’ club Electric House. 191 Portobello Road, W11 (electricdiner.com) ED