citylikeyou — Liberty — London by Chrissie Macdonald

I love this building and always visit if I’m in the area to look at their great window displays, travel up in the beautiful wood paneled lift and wander down the creaky oak staircase. The exterior and interior woodwork is from two old Men-of-War ships, the flooring made from their deck timbers. I normally head straight to the fabric department to see what new seasonal prints they have in, though only buy a metre’s worth so not quite sure what I’ll ever make from them. My most treasured prints are those designed by Grayson Perry of polluted factories, teddy bears, knuckle-dusters and hand grenades. They also sell oversized gift coins produced by the Royal Mint and packaged beautifully in a velvet pouch, which appeal to my love of all things out-sized.

Address
Liberty, Great Marlborough Street, W1B 5AH, London, United Kingdom

Illustrator Art Director

Current city: London

chrissiemacdonald.co.uk

I’m an illustrator, maker and art director based in London and work with photographers to create images for clients such as the V&A, Orange, The New York Times, Creative Review and Wallpaper*. As part of Peepshow Collective I work collaboratively with the other members on exhibitions, animation and installation projects. Portrait by Jenny Lewis.

More Places in London 471

London / Creative Space

I’ve always been very fond of the ICA and its maverick spirit, less so in the latter part of this decade. These days the place is magnetic. To feel this incredible and unique place for arts and expression, breathing, breathing invigoratively, is rewarding to a London dweller or/and visitor. Its incredible transformation, revived from near death by Stefan Kalmár, is felt as soon as you enter the space, it feels open and alive, with vibrant and human energy in staff and visitors; risky, independent, engaging, resounding, and topical to our times programming, which is focused on breaking barriers in imagination an intellect rather than visitor record numbers. It is a breath of fresh air and an example what London art institutions are capable of if they open themselves to welcoming in an outsider and their passionate vision. And they have the best membership in town!

London / Park

The Sackler Crossing is part of a route through the 120 hectares of Kew Gardens, designed by John Pawson in 2006. Set low to the surface of the lake, it seems to float across the water.

London / Pub

A traditional English pub with a great atmosphere and friendly staff, this is the perfect place to start or end your night. The pub is full of character and very intimate, whether you want to drink with your friends on own your own, you are bound to talk with some of the friendly locals and I’ve never had a bad night there.

London / Market

There's something about this street, probably the fact that it's pedestrianised, that makes it feel like holidays. It also has a solid range of bars (Cafe Kick), restaurants (Berber & Q) and cafes (Brill) so is a good option for all times of the day. They have a quality variety of street food vendors operatin during the day, and fairy lights help it to come alive at night

London / Architecture

2 Willow Road designed by Ernő Goldfinger and completed in 1939. It has been managed by the National Trust and is open to the public. Goldfinger lived here with his wife and their children until his death in 1987.