If you ever find yourself getting up earlier on a day off than you would do if you went to work, you know it’s for a good reason. Practically nothing drags me out of bed before it’s light on a cold winter’s day. Unless, of course, that something is a preview of the brand new West Elm which has just opened in Kingston, south-west London.
I’m not even going to bother explaining what West Elm is. If you don’t know, please stop reading my blog immediately and never return. They are, quite literally, my favourite waste of time. The place I can go to and know I’ll always be able to find something perfect for our home AND I’ve even been to the Brooklyn store where it all began so consider myself a bona-fide fan rather than just a pretender.
The Kingston store opened on Friday 8th December and before the official ribbon cutting, I got a little sneak preview. It’s so beautiful. Although occupying a smaller footprint than the flagship location on Tottenham Court Road, somehow it feels so much more spacious. Set across two floors (ground and first rather than ground and basement), light floods through the store from it’s corner location.
Chatting to the area manager, I asked her the obvious question: “Why Kingston?” Of course all the answers made sense – they wanted to be far enough away from the Central London location to not compete with it and online customer orders had indicated a huge demand in the south-west London/Surrey area.
So now these lucky, lucky residents have their very own beautiful shop and it really is stunning. On the ground floor you can fin general homewares such as cushions, crockery, soft furnishings, candles, plants etc. Upstairs opens up to larger items of furniture and space for the all-important design service. There is also a section dedicated entirely to local designer-makers, a feature of all West Elm stores.
Here are some piccies I took on the day but obviously please don’t take my word for it, you really need to head over and see it for yourself!
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Wow, wow, wow!!! This store looks so lush, just an interior heaven Unfortunately I’m too far away to head over but if I’m ever in London I will definitely pay a visit
That looks fantastic! It’s probably a good job we’re too far away to visit…I don’t think my bank balance could cope 🙂
Author
Haha I’m trying to pretend it’s inaccessible too!! X
2 West Elm stores in London! Come on West Elm, open your next store in the East Midlands please 🙂
Author
Haha they definitely will!!
Every time I walk into West Elm, I walk out with one of their animal plates, I now have 9 different ones. Always a must for me when visiting London for the day.
Author
That’s such a lovely idea, their plates are absolutely gorgeous X
It’s so gorgeous! Gutted we don’t have any outside of London. Probably for the best though. My poor bank balance haha
Author
I’m sure it won’t be long at all before they invest elsewhere in the UK, save pennies whilst you can 😉 X
Haha, I was going comment pretty much the same as everyone else – West Elm need to open up elsewhere for sure!! It looks amazeballs!
Author
It’s definitely only a matter of time. I think Heals are opening up elsewhere so it will definitely happen X
Oh my, I’ve never been to a West Elm store – is it okay to admit that?! I’ve had a good nosey at their website but from your pictures, you’ve actually got to go in store to have a scout around. Kingston isn’t that far from me so obviously I need to take a trip!
Author
That’s absolutely ok but beware, once you do you might become addicted 😉 X
Ooh it looks gorgeous, so many lovely things to tempt you with! xx #HomeEtc
Author
I could definitely spend all my pocket money there, Kingston is so pretty too X
Oh wow! and so close to where I live, this could be very dangerous! So many gorgeous things… #HomeEtc
Author
Haha for me it’s just a little to far thank goodness but it is BEOOTIFUL! X
Not sure why but I had fallen out of love with West Elm for the last year, probably because I didn’t visit their shop quite as much any more. There was a point in 2015-6 that I was totally into them. Have picked up a few pieces from your post that will prompt me to go back and revisit them! Thank you for sharing them!
Oh it would be dangerous for my bank account if we had a West Elm over here!! How gorgeously laid out is everything? Love the selections you’ve shown. x
Author
Haha I know right? Very dangerous indeed!! X
Oh my! I could literally spend HOURS in this store, looks like my idea of heaven. Too bad it’s so far away from us, but I’m definitely off to shop them online! x #HomeEtc
Oh, I like the look of this place! I bet you had a fab time wandering round and have a sneak preview. #HomeEtc
Oh those plates – gorgeous!
Author
I’m a little obsessed with everything they have 🙂 X