Liberty of London – The Famous, Iconic London Department Store

Following on from the previous post of the Farrow & Ball colours that are curated by Liberty, we thought we would take you on an adventure behind the scenes of this iconic department store and all the treasures you will find within when you visit this landmark building.

Discover Liberty of London located on Great Marlborough Street in the West End steeped in British heritage. It is one of the most spectacularly iconic department stores on Regent Street. The building spans from Carnaby Street on the East to Kingly Street on the West with six stunning floors to visit, finding something enticing on each level. A beautiful archway is formed over the Northern entrance that house the Liberty Clock in its centre and features a mock-Tudor exterior.

Liberty is known around the world for its close connection to art and culture especially being famous for its bold and floral print fabrics, which we think will look fabulous within a handmade kitchen design.

Founded 146 years ago (1875) by Arthur Lasenby Liberty, the shop on Regent Street started to sell ornaments, fabrics and art from Japan and the East. The business grew and neighbouring properties were bought and added to house the ever-increasing demand for carpets and furniture. In 1885, the store became the most fashionable place to shop in London, and Liberty fabrics were used for both clothing and furnishings.

Fast forward a few years to the 1890s and this is where Liberty built strong relationships with many English designers and a new style was born. Arthur liberty died in 1917, seven years before the completion of his shops. The Liberty store underwent renovations during the 1920s where a Tudor style was introduced to the building constructed from the timbers of two ships: HMS Impregnable and HMS Hindustan.

During the 1950s the tradition of Libertys continued for fashionable and eclectic design. All departments in the shop had a collection of both contemporary and traditional designs. More regional stores were opened in cities such as Manchester, Norwich and Brighton and in 1996, Liberty announced the closure of its twenty shops outside London, and instead focused on smaller outlets at airports.

Liberty of London store was sold for £41.5 million in the 2000s and then leased back by the firm in 2009 to pay off debts ahead of a sale. A few years later Liberty was the focus of a three-part-hour-long episode TV documentary series titled Liberty of London that aired on Channel 4. It followed Ed Burstell the Managing Director and the department’s retail team in the busy lead up to Christmas.

Experiences at Liberty of London

Arthur’s Café

Complete your shopping trip with a visit to Arthur’s Café on the 2nd floor. With an Art Deco-inspired surrounding and a menu packed with mouth-watering dishes, it’s the ultimate place to relax and recharge when visiting the store.

Les Couilles du Chien

Explore Jerome Dodd’s collection of antiques and curiosities at the East Gallery on level 4. Jerome Dodd is an antique and interior design concept with a unique of styles and periods, encompassing new and unusual items from around the room.

In-Store Furnishing Fabrics

Visit the furnishing fabrics department and start your home project with luxurious designer fabrics. Located on the fourth floor you will find an extensive range including designs from Designers Guild, Sanderson, Mulberry, Ralph Lauren and Timorous Beasties.

Oriental Rugs at Liberty

Discover Bruce Lepere’s antique, old and hand-woven rugs, sourced from across the globe. Every piece is an individual work of art.

Designer Vintage

You can find the Designer Vintage departments on the second, ground and lower ground floors. From Chanel handbags to Louis Vuitton luggage and vintage wedding dresses, each piece is professionally cleaned and restored before it hits the shop floor.

Nikki Tibbles Wild at Heart Florist

Located at the main entrance to the store on Great Marlborough Street you will find Nikki Tibbles opulent and unique style with her beautiful blooms and luxurious arrangements.

If you would like to know more about our shaker style kitchen contact us today – we look forward to hearing from you. Our bespoke kitchens are truly unique to you, your needs and your requirements – we will make your dream kitchen come true.