All's well that ends well

So I'm heading home from London today, but I had half an hour last night to go to Goldhawk Road -- and all you Londoners who told me to go there? You were right. I owe you all a drink.

I went to Classic Textiles (44 Goldhawk Road) where they had Liberty (in a very, very snug basement) for £5/yard! (Or possibly £5/meter, not sure.) They also had some limited Varuna wool and some £10/y-or-m Liberty as well, upstairs. Mostly florals, to be sure, but plenty of the abstract and figural prints, as well.

Sadly, though, I was The Difficult Customer, because I saw a roll of the pattern above (Splash) which I've wanted FOR-ever .... behind every other roll of Liberty. And so the poor guy, at closing time, had to shift about twenty rolls of fabric to get and cut me my four meters-or-yards. But he was nice about it, possibly because an even More Difficult Customer was in the shop, trying to get swatches of about fifteen different shirting cottons. (Him: "Now, y'see, I need to you cut me bits of all these, and make me a list, so I can call you up and say "I need 11 meters of #2," right?" Shopman: Nodding uncomprehendingly. Him: "Now, y'see, I need you ...")

The woman at the register also confirmed for me that Liberty wasn't making any more twill. "And their prices are silly," she said. I nodded sagely.

I did some brief poking around in some of the other shops (as they were vacuuming and rolling down grates) and saw this incredible flocked linen wallpapery print, but at £9 a yard-or-meter I couldn't justify it. I didn't have my camera with me so I took some not-so-great camera phone pictures ... remind me and I'll post them when I get home.

Home. As much as I love London, I'm looking forward to being in THAT place again!

Comments

[Anonymous]

That sounds a great shop. ::Bookmarks for next trip to London::

[fuggles]

Erin, I'm so pleased you made it there - in my opinion it's not as organised as Shaukat, but I find the prices and the service much better. I love that Splash fabric (didn't see that when I was last there!) - I think a return visit is in order.

[Anonymous]

ErinCongrats on your successful foray and glad you're not returning home empty9-fabric)-handed. I'm quite sure you will have purchased metres, not yards. it is illegle to sell anything in imperial units in the UK. (Except for the almight pint, of course).-bex

[Isabelle]

Liberty for 5/metre? Now I owe you a drink. I'm going to London in the first week of 2008. Yipee! Thanks!!

[Eva]

I love Classic Textiles. I go there whenever I go to England.

[bani]

Oooo. That was a wortwhile excursion. And I'm sure they remember you as "that lovely American woman who came in". :)

[Anonymous]

I love the Splash fabric. I recently bought shoes that match nothing in my closet. I think they would look great with that fabric. Too bad a trip to London is not in my near future:-(~Amy

[Julie The Vintage Goddess]

Oh Erin, I LOVE that Splash print, I think it is my favorite of what you have shown from this trip.

[Pamela]

To Isabelle: I believe you will be in London during "the Sales." I am green with envy. You need to approach your shopping like a military campaign; there will be serious bargains to be had! Many items will be loss-leaders brought in for the Sale, but you should be able to figure out what is truly a good deal. No dithering....It can be a bit of a zoo - especially Harrods. Have fun!

[Sue]

OMG!!!I've just notoced you were in London!Did you get to see The Golden Age of Coture at the V&A....If you get the chance you must go....I hope I'm not too late!Suexxx

[Meg]

I adore that splash fabric too! I love a good find.

[Panarea]

Hello Erin,if you like Liberty so much, maybe you could be interested in this blog where they have a "library of Liberty":http://libertyaddict.canalblog.com/it's a french blog but on the left you can find the "library"all the best