Monday, January 19, 2009

The Gorier, the better

There are so many wonderful hotels in London these days, but my heart definitely quickens whenever we check into the Gore Hotel in South Kensington.  The last time we were there, we stayed in this room. 
Depending on who's behind the front desk, it goes by either the "Venus Suite" or the "Judy Garland Suite" (apparently the gilt bed in the photo above belonged to her.) The wall paint is incredible. It's so pigment-rich.  It reads like a tarnished coppery-green, enveloping the room in a warm luster and throwing all the reds and golds into sharp relief.

On the afternoon I took this photo, my son and I had just returned home after a lengthy day spent perambulating around town. You can see my World of Interiors magazine on the marble table, along with the remnants of a much-needed glass of wine (for me) and a Pellegrino for him.

Okay, full confession:  being captive to the attention span of a first-grader didn't exactly translate into the leisurely day of shopping I had hoped for.  After a disastrous start, I calculated that I had a mere 5-8 minutes to whiz through the aisles of my favorite purveyors (Hatchard's, Liberty, Fortnum and Mason's) before the whining and foot-dragging began. After promising him a trip to the toy store if he would just let me look around a little longer, I was able to increase my browsing time to 15 minutes per shop --  and not a minute more.  Of course, when we reached Hamley's (the FAO Schwartz of London),  I became the one whining and dragging my feet, which I blame on a sugar crash from eating one too many Curlie Wurlies.

After a day filled with such intensive negotiations, we returned to the Gore where I collapsed into a heap, not unlike the nude in our window (albeit much less gracefully). 

Finally, we were in agreement upon something.

8 comments:

Laura said...

Now that is truly royal living. My lord, that window! And that sofa with the duvet looks so luxuriously comforting.

pve design said...

I would behave and let you drag me around london anytime.

Lisa Borgnes Giramonti said...

pve design: That is a DEAL, milady!

So Lovely said...

Oh this brings back memories. I worked on Kensington HIgh Street, bought all my crazy outfits at the Kensignton Market when it was still really punky. My sister lived just off Kensington Church Street. Oh and by the way I love Curly Wurlies - but my favorite are Prawn Cocktail "crisps".....

Lisa Borgnes Giramonti said...

Mmm...love Prawn Cocktail crisps. Have you tried Roasted Chicken crisps? They're a meal in one. But my one true love will always be Marmite-coated Twiglets...

Anonymous said...

Oh the Judy Garland suite, how fabulous! I walk my dogs in the park almost every day just around the corner. I assume you didn't stop for tea in Fortnum's as that manages to get my daughters attention, great ice-cream oh and liberty's is another good cake destination to win another 20 minutes shopping time at least!

Michelle Parks McCourt said...

That stain glass is beautiful

So Lovely said...

Oh I forgot the Marmite twiglets but yes, I loved those.

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