WHY I LOVE PUTNEY
WHY I LOVE PUTNEY
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
You can kill two birds with one stone as you walk along Putney Embankment. Not only will you be treated to some of the best riverside views in London, you can follow the Putney Sculpture Trail that encompasses nine installations by British sculptor Alan Thornhill. Find them dotted between Leaders Gardens and Riverside Quarter. If art floats your boat, pop by The Russell Gallery, which is set just 400 yards from Putney Bridge and is a space devoted to modern, British art. Speaking of boats, Putney also provides the starting point for the annual Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race – it really is a spectacle worth seeing.
Love to shop
For cosy yet pared back interior design, form an orderly queue outside Blåbär Nordic Living on Putney’s Lacy Road – even I can sometimes be seen in line for the ceramics and Icelandic sheepskins. London’s luxury interior design often calls for a larder in the kitchen and smart jars are de rigueur. Head to The Source for a plethora of glass options with bamboo lids, and for an assortment of larder essentials that will allow you to go plastic free. Of course, home fragrance is now an integral part of interiors in London and you can stock up on Charles Farris candle tins at Huttons.
Love to eat
With a prime riverside spot, stunning balcony and garden terrace,The Boathouse is a must. The kitchen specialises in fish and seafood, so book a table and enjoy dishes such as Scottish mussels as the sun sets over the Thames. While eating al fresco is sublime during the summer, nothing beats a hearty Sunday roast inThe Spencer when the seasons change, especially if you bag a table by the wood burner. A quirky alternative isPutney Pies, where the British staple is served alongside a pleasingly-curated cocktail menu and travelling art exhibitions. If that wasn’t enough, top DJs regularly take over the premises’ basement nightclub - The Vault.