Pimlico Road: Where A-List Style Meets Artisan Craft

If you’re passionate about interiors and design, there’s no better place in London to explore than Pimlico Road — especially during London Craft Week (May 12–18). This pocket of West London, near Chelsea, is where celebrities like the Beckhams, Madonna, and even Princess Beatrice come window-shopping for timeless design treasures.

The Design District That Speaks Style

Pimlico Road isn’t just a single street — it includes Ebury Street, Holbein Place, Bourne Street, and the recently revamped Newson’s Yard. These five spots form a tightly knit hub for high-end interiors, home to specialist shops with beautifully preserved storefronts. Think of it as the bricks-and-mortar version of a designer’s black book.

Oona Bannon from Pinch Studio compares it to “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for interiors lovers.” Her store on Bourne Street, once home to culinary icon Elizabeth David, offers informal, handcrafted furniture with a collected feel — books, pottery, and travel mementos replacing showroom polish.

A Place Where Designers Meet You at the Door

Names like Rose Uniacke (the Beckhams’ go-to), Nina Campbell (favored by Madonna), Lulu Lytle of Soane Britain, and Christopher Howe anchor the area. Interior designer Luke Irwin, known for his hand-knotted rugs, says it’s the only design street in the world where you’ll often meet the actual creators behind the collections. He recalls chats with Sol Campbell and seeing Jose Mourinho browsing peacefully — no paparazzi, no fuss.

The relaxed vibe draws creatives and clients alike. “It’s like time slows down,” Irwin adds, referencing his shop’s location — the site of the original Chelsea Bun House and close to Mozart’s old home at 180 Ebury Street.

Why Americans Are Falling in Love With Pimlico

The U.S. design scene is catching on. In January, 300 American interior designers visited during Design Destination London and were blown away. Kathryn Ireland, a designer to Hollywood’s elite, has long shopped the area. Her clients love brands like Chelsea Textiles, Robert Kime, Jamb, and especially Bennison — which started in the 1960s and still produces luxe hand-printed fabrics based on antique textiles.

Edo Mapelli Mozzi, head of Banda and Princess Beatrice’s husband, recently completed a Chelsea Barracks project and says Pimlico Road offers that perfect blend of heritage, craftsmanship, and restraint. “Each space speaks to a sensibility I deeply relate to,” he says.

What to See During London Craft Week

This year’s highlights include:

• Soane Britain: showcasing Kuniko Maeda’s intricate pleated paper lights, made from Lake District paper.
• The Lacquer Company: unveiling glamorous new work by Campbell-Rey, the duo behind the Tramp nightclub revamp.
• Cox London: known for large-scale metalwork like their Magnolia Grandiflora lighting piece.
• Jamb: hosting ceramicist Isatu Hyde who will demonstrate hand-building techniques.
• Rose Uniacke Fabric Showroom: featuring Scarlett Farrer, the Young Weaver of the Year, creating a wall hanging with linen, mohair, and hand-spun alpaca.
• And Objects (Martin Brudnizki’s store): artist Jess Wheeler will relocate her Dorset studio here for a week to work on sculptural installations.

And for those looking to step into the world of heritage crafts, Lulu Lytle is launching matchMAKER, a new platform connecting young talents with hands-on training and job opportunities in traditional crafts.

Craft All Year Round

Even if you miss the buzz of Craft Week, the creativity never stops. As Oona Bannon puts it, “Craft Week is every week for us.”

So next time you’re in London, skip the usual tourist traps and take a stroll down Pimlico Road. You might just leave with a story, a handmade vase — or even bump into a royal.