A visit to Colefax & Fowler in London!

Last Friday, on a quick visit through London, we spent some time with Colefax & Fowler. The firm you no doubt know for its delicious weaves and prints, and wallpapers, too, started as a decorating firm of Sibyl Colefax and John Fowler in the 1930s and was regarded as the foremost English firm throughout the 20th century. It remains an institution, with a nearly cult following, today. On our way to see the newest fabric introductions, which we'll debut here next week, we stopped in to see its famed antiques shop in the heart of London at 39 Brook Street. Here's a virtual visit to send you off into the weekend.

A desk to greet you at the entry, pictured above, with a leather-bound volume filled with some of their completed projects.

Here's a charming room at the back overlooking a small garden. We loved the mix of rich, high-gloss chocolate brown walls with the casual rattan chairs:


And don't these split-pea-green walls in the stairwell feel typically (delightfully!) English?


And a cozy spot to read with a very unexpected (and fun!) light:


Talk about texture! We loved this sideboard and its elements, especially those vibrant paper lampshades:


In the same room we thought, Why not hang a mirror over a seldom-used door!


Same with the African-esque pillow on the Victorian-style chaise:


Get a taste of the Colefax & Fowler style on our side of the Atlantic at the Cowtan & Tout showooms that distribute the line at PDC (Suite B647), DCOTA (Suite B254), and DDB (Suite 1020).