When we created LONDON DESIGN GUIDE (the book), we took the decision to break this vast city into manageable areas. To accompany each area, we asked a local to write a personal tour of their favourite places. Here is shoe designer Tracey Neuls‘ tour of Marylebone, home to her inimitable shoe store.

MARYLEBONE: Take a Walk with Tracey Neuls

“Homogenisation of our cities is sadly becoming more and more unavoidable. Marylebone Village, on the other hand, is unmistakably British and goes even one step further – it is honestly local. The atmosphere as you walk from Oxford Street to Marylebone Lane quickly changes from department stores to shops like Biggles Gourmet Sausages, where you can buy handmade links by the dozen or in a bun to take away.

Biggles Gourmet Sausages, 66 Marylebone Lane

Neighbours include David Penton & Son, an old world DIY shop where, more times than not, they will have what you need.

David Penton & Son, 64 Marylebone Lane

And The Button Queen, which supplies buttons from the 1800s.

The Button Queen, 76 Marylebone Lane

Across the road you have Paul Rothe & Son, a family-run café where the decor has been loved yet untouched since it opened over 100 years ago.

Paul Rothe & Son, 35 Marylebone Lane

And this is the best bit about Marylebone: popping up among the original shops are strong contenders for future classics. The side streets are always worth exploring for just that. For example, on Bulstrode Street you will find Content, which sells creams and perfumes served by the passionate owner herself, who knows her products inside and out.

Content, 14 Bulstrode Street

Remembering less is more, don’t miss the Monocle magazine shop – quite possibly the smallest shop in London yet jam packed with goodies.

Monocle, 2A George Street

Keep walking and you can choose between butterflies and cheese. Worth a look is Damien Hirst’s boutique Other Criteria, where art multiples can be bought at a hint of the price of the original.

Other Criteria, 14 Hinde Street

Nearer the top of Marylebone High Street, The Fromagerie beckons. This cheese specialist and grocer supports local producers, and has a few secret tables in the back where they prepare and serve up a delicious daily menu.

The Fromagerie, 4 Moxon Street

Pass through the tranquil innercity Paddington Street Gardens before arriving closer to the heart of residential Marylebone.

Paddington Street Gardens

A rather eccentric character called Felix sets up a rogue stall every morning selling flowers in front of Hardy’s restaurant. His unique selections of cut flowers are reflective of his own individual personality.

Hardy’s, 53-55 Dorset Street

And while you are there treating your senses, have a peep across the street at St Andrews Mansion Courtyard for some rare, well- preserved London architecture.”

St. Andrews Mansion Courtyard

This extract was taken from page 39 of LONDON DESIGN GUIDE. To enjoy similar tours of other areas in London complete with maps, why not order a copy of the guide?

All photographs taken by Claire Rooney.

Revered British textiles company, Sanderson is celebrating its 150th anniversary with a collaborative project involving footwear designer Tracey Neuls and contemporary artist Nina Saunders. The results are installed at Tracey Neuls’ shop, TN29.

MOST CURIOUS, 17th February – 30th June 2010

TN29

29 Marylebone Lane, London W1U 2NQ (020 7935 0039)

The collaboration is anchored by a large-scale sculpture from Nina Saunders and a dedicated collection of shoes from Tracey Neuls, both employing reissued vintage Sanderson textiles.

Saunders’ sculpture is a characteristically morphed melting item of furniture, upholstered in Sanderson, which sets the scene.

Hanging amid a forest of silver birch tree trunks is Neuls’ new shoe collection. Cast rubber soles are deftly inserted with Sanderson textile meaning the shoes have a pattern top to bottom – a trailblazing signature technique by the talented shoe designer.