With all the focus on school closures and homeschooling, it’s easy to forget that parents are missing their usual activities (and little luxuries) too. So we thought we’d share a few of our favourite things to help lift lockdown spirits. Enjoy!
Food and drink
Wake up and smell the sourdough, with a doorstep delivery from celebrated Parisian bakery Poilâne. Or follow in the (Instagram) footsteps of our very own Misa, and try some bread-making yourself – we’ve found Shipton Mill a great place for recipes and inspiration. Should you run out of those baking essentials, Ocado Zoom is now delivering within an hour.
When you’re ready to take a break from the kitchen, SUPPER delivers the finest food from across London to your door. Think comforting classics from Fortnum & Mason, or Nobu’s iconic sushi and sashimi. And for a real masterclass in fine dining, Marcus at Home brings a taste of the season – and chef Marcus Wareing’s signature style – to your table. Perfect, after a long day balancing work and homeschooling!
Shopping
With more time spent indoors, we’re loving Connolly for its timeless home accessories and cosy cashmere knits. The Clifford Street institution is now delivering worldwide, and its regular art exhibitions can be viewed online too.
For browsing and buying, Pamono is a treasure trove of vintage and cutting-edge design, while 1stDibs brings together some of the finest makers and creators across furniture, jewellery, art and fashion.
When it’s time to give your winter wardrobe a spring clean, eco-friendly BLANC offers an online collection and delivery service for dry cleaning, laundry and tailoring. Their home accessories and cleaning essentials are lovely too.
Art and design
Office, classroom, studio, playroom – our homes have never worked so hard. If you’re looking to optimise your space for lockdown living (and beyond), House Nine offers an innovative E-Design service, with design direction and inspiration all delivered online.
Or why not brighten up your daily view with a new piece from one of the country’s most exciting artists? The Art Register sources original works for a range of budgets, with free Zoom consultations over lockdown.
Culture
It’s been a challenging year for the arts, but there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the best of London’s museums and galleries. Explore the collection online or join an Art History course at the V&A. Discover the stories behind the Tate with its fascinating podcast, or step inside The National Gallery with an immersive virtual reality tour.
For budding photographers, Dulwich Picture Gallery is running a still life photography competition, with the chance to win an Aesthetica magazine subscription and prints from the shop.
We do hope you enjoy discovering some of our recommendations over lockdown. For more inspiration, the Chorus app is a great way to find (and support) local businesses – or even advertise your own small venture. We’d love to hear what you’ve been doing this lockdown; tag us on Instagram or drop us a line at [email protected].
