Why I love Mayfair

Interior designer Rudolph Diesel shares his favourite London haunts

Why I love MAYFAIR 

Love to look at …

From the elegant Art Deco façade of the Dorchester Hotel to the classic portico of St George’s Church (once frequented by the German composer Handel), Mayfair exudes exclusivity and sophistication. The area became a playground for wealthy aristocrats in the 17th century and the party continues to this day, with discreet members’ only clubs such as The Lansdowne, high-end hotels and luxurious fashion stores. Not to be missed (or difficult to miss), is ‘Room’, the giant cuboid figure, a semi-abstract sculpture by Antony Gormley that presides over the Beaumont Hotel.

Love to shop …

Wealthy fashionistas make a beeline for the exclusive shops on New Bond Street, Mount Street and South Molton Street, while consumers of bespoke tailoring head for Savile Row.  Browns, one of the first multi-brand boutiques to open in the UK, has been here since 1970, but Victoria Beckham, who opened her Dover Street fashion store in 2014, is a relative newcomer.  With the Ritz being in close proximity, it is hard to not stop in to enjoy afternoon tea whilst admiring the decor and architecture.  No trip to Mayfair is complete without buying a few delicatessen from Fortnum & Mason and enjoying an alfresco picnic in Berkeley Square.  

Love to eat …

While upscale eateries can be found everywhere in Mayfair, on a sunny day there’s nowhere nicer for lunch than the Bonnie Gull Seafood Shack in Brown Hart Gardens (a paved terrace area on the roof of the old Duke Street electricity substation). When it’s raining, I head for Avery Row or Lancashire Court: two attractive little lanes full of busy restaurants and cafes.

At Rudolph Diesel Interiors we have undertaken some super special interior design projects in Mayfair, ranging from graphic design and branding for major property developments to commissions for interior design and home staging. Our London clients are extremely discerning and we love to create luxurious interior designs for them, using the highest quality furnishings, fittings and finishes.  Everything has to be just right to meet our clients’ high expectations.

When I have time to spare, I love strolling around Mayfair, people watching and browsing those perfectly dressed shop windows.

Rudolph