When i received an email asking if i'd like to attend a tea party at the new Anthropologie store in London, it took me all of 30 seconds to email back a resounding yes. Ever since Denise and Letha introduced me to Anthropologie in Seattle I've been hoping this gorgeous store would hit our shores, and at last it has, with a 10,000 square foot store on Regent Street and another opening on the Kings Road next year. Yesterday was the press launch, and as I was allowed to bring a plus one with me I invited my sister (with her own +1 in utero) to London for an adventure. We stuffed our faces in Carluccio's before heading to the new store, and friends it was all i could do not to stuff everything i saw in my bag - everything's that delicious. Most of the clothes were on the upper end of the pricing scale, but with lots of bargain homewares and stationery, you can still visit the store, get a hit of inspiration and then leave with a little treat. I splurged on some jewel-coloured glasses that were made in Portugal and all under a tenner*; Abby bought the cutest mug ever. We each had a nugget of Anthropologie to take home with us, and with tired feet - but very happy eyes - we treated ourselves to a cab back to Paddington, and from there the train home. Favourite moment? When a girl with a beaming smile came over and asked if i was me - turns out she reads my blog. We had a hug and chat and my day was offically made (thanks Zoe!)
* UK to US translation: less that ten pounds in price. There were no discounts (shame!) but i did partake of some delightful mini cupcakes ;)
Updated: I'm sharing lots more photos from the store over on decor8 today
Oh my god,how lucky are you! I would have just about had a hernia! :) :)
P.S I think I need one of those clocks!
Nancy xo
Posted by: Nancy | Oct 22, 2009 at 07:26 PM
Nancy, i spent the whole afternoon doing a happy dance round the store ;-)
Posted by: Susannah | Oct 22, 2009 at 07:28 PM
You know, I've never been to Anthropologie and I live like, 20 mins away from NYC?! I think there might be one here in Jersey. Must plan a shopping trip.
I love your pics.
Posted by: Bella | Oct 22, 2009 at 07:42 PM
We have one in St. Louis but I've never been to one! I want to so badly!!!! Especially after reading this beautiful post!!!!
Posted by: Jamie Habermaas | Oct 22, 2009 at 07:44 PM
So wonderful! I live HOURS away from an anthropologie, and everytime I'm in a city I visit.
Ooo this makes me happy!
Posted by: Mary-- The Yellow Door Paperie | Oct 22, 2009 at 07:45 PM
those teabags as hanging elements...inspired brilliance. i'm glad you had a day with your sister. xx
Posted by: kristen | Oct 22, 2009 at 07:48 PM
So beautiful! I forget if you have commented before, but do you watch Man Shops Globe? It's all about the shopper-at-large for Anthropologie...those bird plates were featured on last week's show! So interesting to see where the items originate - and how unique they really are.
Posted by: Lisa | Oct 22, 2009 at 07:49 PM
I love Antropologie too! Best store ever.
Posted by: Tina | Oct 22, 2009 at 07:54 PM
yup - cultish love for anthro abounds
and there may be some addiction mixed in too :-)
Posted by: Karima | Oct 22, 2009 at 08:02 PM
oh how I love that store
so many happy things
Posted by: charlane | Oct 22, 2009 at 08:35 PM
I was just in a ginormous Anthro in Seattle the other day totally drooling. I want to move in! Great photos! :)
Posted by: Emme | Oct 22, 2009 at 08:39 PM
WOW ~ how exciting! I am green with envy, and how restrained not to purchase anything! Is that a grass wall i spy? emma ;0)
Posted by: Emma | Oct 22, 2009 at 08:45 PM
I adore Anthropologie!! You are so lucky to attend the tea party, too!! :-)
Those cupcakes look amazing!
Posted by: Gina D | Oct 22, 2009 at 09:01 PM
i was so thrilled when ours opened in the spring, swoon and dances all around ... wait a month and then go back and revel in the sales section :-) i love shopping anthro sales racks, love love love and i love that they always let me photograph in the store, so fun! xo
Posted by: darlene | Oct 22, 2009 at 09:31 PM
Oh, Anthro is pretty much my favorite store! Half my wardrobe is from there! (I splurge on some items, and wait for the sales on most of the others, though.) Jealous that you got to go to a tea party at an Anthro, though!
Posted by: Katy | Oct 22, 2009 at 09:36 PM
I love this store and used to go all the time when I lived stateside... I've been missing it. So happy one has arrived in London! ;) It's great for creative inspiration too, even if you aren't buying!
Posted by: Amanda | Oct 22, 2009 at 09:43 PM
I'll be there, queuing outside tomorrow morning, waiting for the doors to open... sooo jealous you got to go early! you lucky, lucky devil! xx
Posted by: kate | Oct 22, 2009 at 09:47 PM
me too....OH how I heart that store soooo much !
Posted by: beth | Oct 22, 2009 at 10:00 PM
It looks so wonderful! I can't believe after all these years they finally opened a store in London less than a month after I moved away :( Still it's always a good excuse to go back for a visit!
Posted by: Aveen | Oct 22, 2009 at 10:10 PM
i just read about the shop in wwd, yesterday. thank you for sharing your wonderful photos. it sounds terrific!
Posted by: cindy | Oct 22, 2009 at 11:02 PM
Anthro is based out of Philadelphia, along with Urban Outfitters and Free People. All 3 brands, same company. They have an amazing flagship in downtown and the corporate offices are in these renovated Navy yards. For a look, here's a link to an article in Metropolis:
http://www.metropolismag.com/story/20070518/a-stitch-in-time
Civilians can visit and enjoy lunch in their cafeteria.
Posted by: Carla | Oct 22, 2009 at 11:28 PM
Oh my goodness.. how wonderful!! I have got to get me to London!!
Posted by: Jodie | Oct 22, 2009 at 11:41 PM
me too,I can live in that store!
Posted by: karen | Oct 23, 2009 at 12:45 AM
Oh yes, those teabags (and everything else!) are fabulous. I don't suppose they mentioned opening in Australia anytime soon? I can't hope for a store in Adelaide (can I?!), but Melbourne will do. :)
Posted by: MelissaJaine | Oct 23, 2009 at 01:33 AM
How can you NOT love that
place! Glad you gals had
a wonderful time. :o)
Posted by: .kat. | Oct 23, 2009 at 02:34 AM
If I ever need a dose of inspiration, I just walk into one of these gorgeous stores. Oh and of course the clothes, the housewares, I love to own them as often as I can.
Posted by: Marisa and Creative Thursday | Oct 23, 2009 at 03:20 AM
I would love to run into you in London. Wow. Looks like a fun time though. Love those clocks.
Posted by: leaca | Oct 23, 2009 at 05:39 AM
I am in love with Anthropologie too! I am so excited that you can now be a regular at the store. I always have a hard time leaving that store.
Posted by: Geneiveve Luna | Oct 23, 2009 at 06:08 AM
Anthro is my favorite store, too! I'm too short to wear most of their things but I love going in for an ART fix. The clothes. The store design. Everything. Love it, love it! Glad you have one nearby and opening day, too! LouLAA
Posted by: Renee | Oct 23, 2009 at 06:19 AM
I too fell in love with Anthropologie when I first discovered it in Seattle in 2005.
I have never bought any clothes but I have quite a few housey items.
You are such a lucky girl to have been invited and so lucky to have it so close now!
I'm just waiting for my residency card to arrive so we can take a trip to Seattle- i have one thing on my agenda hehe
Posted by: Amanda | Oct 23, 2009 at 06:41 AM
the right way to get an overdraft. We're two friends in love with Athropologie, there will be a welcome visit. Thanks for the info.
Posted by: Nathalie | Oct 23, 2009 at 06:50 AM
I used to work at the Anthropology in Orlando Fl. I loved it, and spent quite a bit my paycheck there (and some of my husbands money too)!!!
Posted by: Leigh | Oct 23, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Congrats--Anthropologie rocks! You sound like me--each time I go, I have such grand plans, only to have my budget escort me out with only a pretty cup or tea towel and lots of inspiration. I go straight for the sale racks for clothes, which they'll surely have once they've been open a bit longer.
Posted by: Katherine | Oct 23, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Oh, I want to go there soooo much! It's still pretty far away from me (finland) but maybe I have to make a visit...
Posted by: Jutta | Oct 23, 2009 at 02:25 PM
I wish I could of gone to this opening, hopefully my daughter got there and has taken lots of photos for me...
Posted by: samantha | Oct 23, 2009 at 03:16 PM
Did you meet anyone that you could possibly put me in touch with to land an job with the visual design team!? That would be an awesome job and I would totally move on over there for a bit!
Posted by: sarah white | Oct 23, 2009 at 04:23 PM
I am wondering why on earth there is an Anthropologie shop in Edmonton but not in Montreal??? (Or Vancouver for that matter, not that it would help me much right now)
It looks like every inch of that place is covered with stuff to tempt even the most penny-pinching of shoppers. What a great place to browse - almost like a visit to a museum of contemporary domestic art! I'm swooning for the bird (peacock?) plates and narwhal hanging from the ceiling.
Lovely photos, thanks for giving us the tour!
Posted by: Christine | Oct 23, 2009 at 04:38 PM
Anthropologie is pretty awesome, though i've only been there once, & that was a while ago. It's really awesome stuff, but really expensive... i went there with a group of friends while we were poking around a mall & we found a bunch of awesome stuff (i seem to recall a sheep), then proceeded to cringe at the prices.
But the asthetic is so nice. I want to go back sometime. Maybe i can add things to a wish list.
Posted by: elvesandmarauders.blogspot.com | Oct 23, 2009 at 07:00 PM
Looks so wonderful!!! xx
Posted by: simplygrove | Oct 23, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Beuatiful. Thanks for taking us there through the photos:)
Posted by: tiina | Oct 24, 2009 at 02:56 PM
I found your blog via Decor 8, and I am really glad I did :) I love your photos! Do you know if there are other stores in the London area like Anthropologie and Graham and Green? I am going to London just before Christmas and it would be good to know. Did Anthropologie have many mirrors for sale by the way?
Posted by: Andrea | Oct 24, 2009 at 04:30 PM
Hi Andrea, i wasn't on the look out for mirrors, but i'm sure they must sell a few :) London has lots of boutiques and shops like that - check out Covent Garden, Notting Hill & Westbourne Grove area, Marylebone and the Kings Road
Posted by: Susannah | Oct 24, 2009 at 04:35 PM
Anthropologie is amazing. And speaking of "Man shops globe", my favorite episode so far was the one in Istanbul. Reminds me of my trip to India!
Posted by: Elkie Soto | Oct 25, 2009 at 06:26 AM
you lucky girll! ive made a vow to go to any Anthropologie store, and i would have had the opportunity to do so when i visited london last 2 months. i cant believe i missed my chance, haha.
isnt london pretty? your photos look so amazing and creamy. im totallu reminiscing right now. haha
Posted by: sara athira | Oct 25, 2009 at 12:22 PM
I sit in my local Anthropologie for hours at a time to get inspiration and perspective on colors and designs. I love it. They think I am a bit crazy.
I am coming to London in a few weeks and wondering if you have any recommendations of places/shops to visit?
thanks for responding if you have the time.
Joanna
Posted by: joanna | Oct 28, 2009 at 05:38 PM