While a full recap of my adventures will have to await my return, along with a spread of what I’ve picked up on my travels, I thought it might be fun to live post some of the pictures I’ve taken in real time. My main observation regarding stationery stores in London (and most other boutique shops, for that matter), is that most are thoughtfully curated and laid-out, as opposed to the warehouse-style displays that you tend to see in the U.S. I’ve found the shopping experience to be pleasant and less-intense, and it was quite fun and even relaxing to shop for an afternoon! I’ve not had that experience in quite some time.
So far I’ve visited four main stores that sell stationery and related goods: L. Cornelissen (a calligraphy and art supply dealer); Present & Correct (a heavily curated stationery store with a thoughtful selection of unusual notebooks, writing implements - mostly ballpoints and pencils - and desk accessories); Choosing Keeping (probably the most “traditional stationery store” of the bunch); and the London Graphic Centre (a classic art/student supply store that sells the Freitag line of bags, which I’m still debating). I’ll post my full recap of what I purchased when I return, as most of it is so carefully wrapped and packaged that I want to have an opportunity to photograph the unboxing as well!
Present & Correct features one of the more thoughtfully curated selection of stationery and office items I’ve ever seen in person.
I of course had to photograph both sides of the iconic Choosing Keeping Storefront.
On the round table in the background you can see the iconic Choosing Keeping Notebooks, of which I purchased two.
London Graphic Centre is right around the corner from Choosing Keeping.
In our stationery community they are best known for their selection of Freitag bags, which are made from recycled truck tarps, car seat belts, and water bottles, making them both waterproof and generally indestructible. I'm still considering, but seeing that I experienced near-disaster last night after being caught in the rain with a bag of paper, I'm leaning towards "yes".
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