WHY I LOVE HYDE PARK
WHY I LOVE HYDE PARK
Rudolph Diesel is the head of London interior design company Rudolph Diesel Interiors. In this article, he describes areas of London that have earned a special place in his heart.
Love to look at
Magnificent Hyde Park! At its very centre are 350 acres of Grade I listed grounds and the royal assent gives the area an extra special layer of kudos. The park itself is a veritable feast of attractions – swim in the Serpentine or browse the gallery of the same name; have your perceptions shifted at Speakers’ Corner or find a spot for quiet contemplation by the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain.
The regal connections have also left a handsome architectural legacy in Hyde Park, with the delectable duo of architects Decimus Burton and John Nash ensuring Regency splendour is never far away.
It’s every interior designer’s dream job to create a scheme for one of Hyde Park’s period residences - take a stroll around The Hyde Park Estate or meander through Connaught Village, Bayswater, Lancaster Gate, Marble Arch or Westbourne Grove to see why.
Love to shop
No luxury interior design is complete without some object d’art and Kensington Church Street on the west side of Hyde Park is the place to buy antiques and art. A myriad of galleries and boutiques are concentrated in one spot, including the utterly fabulous J.A.N. Fine Arts. Also, not far away, is the fine art of exquisite tailoring at Turnbull & Asser - your go-to tailors if, like me, you have a passion for perfection. As shirtmaker to HRH The Prince of Wales, the quality of fabrics, cut and service is second to none. Equally as gorgeous - but for after you’ve been measured for a new suit – are the bakes and biscuits from the Hyde Park Patisserie. Forget the calories and just consume with pleasure!
Love to eat
If I need an al fresco spot for lunch, I’ll often head to the Serpentine Bar & Kitchen in Hyde Park itself. The iconic Patrick Gwynne-designed building speaks to the London interior architect in me but you can’t beat sitting outside on the terrace, sipping a flat white while overlooking the lake. For really special occasions, however, I can recommend Michel Roux Junior's two-Michelin starred Le Gavroche or the Japanese menu at Nobu – both restaurants are just off Park Lane and perfect for upscale people watching.