The bestselling author, food stylist and hostess extraordinaire has already been busy this season, with the launch of her new Christmas cookbook The Christmas Companion – a paean to easy conviviality and entertaining, served up with her signature Venetian flair. Now, she’s bringing that same twinkling sense of warmth and cordiality to Belgravia with a month-long pop-up, open from 21 November to 21 December at 48 Elizabeth Street. Expect a deeply delightful gathering of treasures from her Tavola collection – think heavenly ceramics, glassware and linens, alongside vintage finds, Christmas decorations, hand-painted candles, and the kind of stocking fillers that make us coo and exclaim almost by way of reflex.
Italian pantry essentials will, of course, put in an appearance, from perfect panettones wrapped in Tavola’s bespoke marble paper to seductive jars of pistachio cream, honey and jams. And Skye’s books too will take pride of place, including her three previous collections of recipes and a small, beautifully chosen selection from her own shelves, Ben Pentreath’s An English Vision, Stella Powell-Jones’s The Piper and the Penguin and Paula Sutton’s The Potting Shed Murders among them.
In true Tavola style, this is a celebration of everything we love most about the season. Visitors can browse while sipping hot chocolate, surrounded by wreaths, baubles and music. Alongside Skye’s pieces, there will be a who’s who of beloved British artisans and small brands – a microcosm, if you will, of all that is thoughtfully crafted and artfully handmade.
As such, @memo.press will be on hand with their exquisite stationery – the sort that has you itching to write handwritten notes to everyone in your address book. @minnowandwolf will bring beautifully wild, fragrant wreaths to hang on picturesque doorways up and down the land. And for the sweet-toothed, @audreyschocolates promises nostalgic confections from one of Britain’s most charming chocolate houses, while @c.atherleylondon contributes a fragrant edit of her exquisitely bottled perfumes. Offering their richly patterned matchboxes, photo frames, trays and diaries will be @comptonmarbling, and there’s even a special @manin_tailor_made collaboration to be rejoiced in: a red-and-white gingham pyjama set with a matching Christmas stocking. In short, it’s a gathering of kindred spirits: makers united in a reverence for detail, material, and joy in the everyday rituals of life.
Adding to the fun, meanwhile, is a series of in-store experiences: from meeting the makers at Audrey’s Chocolates (26 November), to The Art of Christmas Hosting with Skye McAlpine (3 and 15 December, 10–11am), Festive Tea and Treats with C. Atherley x Skye (10 December, 12–2pm), and How to Dress Your Home and Table for Christmas with Skye and Minnow & Wolf (16 December, 10–11am).
As Skye puts it: ‘I really love Christmas and this year, I’ve decided to throw myself fully into the festive season and am delighted to be opening this special shop on a wonderful street. We’re looking forward to welcoming people into the shop in the run-up to Christmas.’
