Lucy Loves: November
Things to see, do and book this month
Hi everyone,
I hope you are all well. It’s November — how is that possible? I mean summer feels forever ago but I’m not ready for it to be almost Christmas, which also marks the one year milestone with bub (Yes, she is a Christmas baby. Yes, what were we thinking!)
As last month’s Lucy Loves column was a Frieze Week special — side note: many of the brilliant shows featured are still running, so do take a look — this month’s is choc-full with the art, design & travel things I’m loving in London, Istanbul & beyond. Plus, you’ll find autumn decorating ideas, festive activities to book now and luxury advent calendars to shop before they sell out.
As always thank you for reading! It would be a huge help if you could like (hit the ❤️ button in the banner above)/restack/share or recommend my publication as it makes it more visible on the ever busier Substack platform. Even better, would be to consider becoming a paid subscriber.
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Love Lucy Xx
Books, pods and long reads I’ve enjoyed recently — and think you will too
24 European hotels for design lovers by the brilliant
Kirsty Young’s new pod, Young Again, featuring artist Grayson Perry
Meet Lélia Demoisy, France’s hot young artist
- ’s new podcast The London Theatre Review is now live. See whether it’s for you via her substack The London Culture Edit
New English Interiors is out now. Expect a deep-dive into the homes of 22 of England’s most exciting creatives, including Fee Greening.
Chiharu Shiota: Between Worlds
Born in Osaka in 1972 and based in Berlin, Chiharu Shiota has made her name creating site-specific installations made from enormous webs of black, white or red yarn. These immersive works tend to evoke her favoured themes of anxiety, identity, loss, belonging and memory.
Between Worlds, a new site-specific work on display at the Istanbul Modern (until 20 April 2025), centres on the artist’s sense of being “somewhere in between.” Dotted around the imposing labyrinthine structure made from blood red thread are vintage leather suitcases. In this work, she explores the relationship between the ships travelling through the harbour in Karaköy, the stories of passengers traveling on these ships and her own migration story. It’s not to be missed if visiting Istanbul.
Autumn decorating ideas
Autumn has arrived, and with it the urgent need to refresh our interiors. In celebration of the changing season, I asked interior designer
of Chez Hanny to share her favourite autumn decorating ideas with me. Here, she reveals how to add a little warmth and comfort to your home, from creating a cosy atmosphere to injecting a dose of colour.Tim Burton at the Design Museum
Landing at the Design Museum this winter is a major exhibition exploring the fantastical world of Tim Burton (until 21 April 2025). The last stop on a decade-long tour, it spotlights his key collaborations with celebrated costume, set and production designers as well as his other worldly creations. Spanning five decades of remarkable creativity, it charts the evolution of his unique design aesthetic through around 600 objects, including drawings, paintings, photographs and costume design.
Highlights on display include Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman costume from 1992’s Batman Returns and Wednesday Addams’ viral Rave’N dance dress (above). Shown together, it offers a fascinating glimpse into Burton’s eclectic vision, diverse range of inspirations, and his recurrent visual themes and motifs. Get your tickets here. Not yet convinced? Read a full review of the show on Little London Whispers, one of my all-time favourite London lifestyle blogs-turned-Substacks.
Winter wish list
Not strictly art, design or travel — but these things are on my new season wish list.
You may also like… An art lover’s guide to London
Fethiye, Kalkan, Kas…
Autumn is my favourite time to visit south Turkey because the hoarding crowds have gone and the weather and water are still warm. Over the past couple of years, we’ve been lucky enough to visit a number of splendid spots along the Turquoise Coast, but Fethiye, Kalkan and Kas had slipped through the net — until now.
During our time down south in October, we spent our days exploring all the region is most famous for: think secluded coves, ancient ruins, Baliesque beach clubs and, of course, the Lycian Way. I’ve notched up a great to-do list with lovely places to eat, visit & stay (including a charming and affordable airbnb in the centre of Fethiye), so would you be interested in…
Brunch on the Bosphorus
The best brunch spot in Istanbul? Quite possibly Novikov at the Mandarin Oriental. Well, because the view from the waterside restaurant is out of this world (you actually feel as though you’re cruising on a boat) and the food is *chef’s kiss*. I mean it.
I wasn’t sold on the idea of Italian-Japanese fusion but a starter of sushi and tempura prawns (which are battered in front of you) followed by truffle risotto, delicious handmade ravioli (also cooked to order in front of you) and a little helping of tiramisu was pure perfection. Not to mention the lovely staff, whose can-do attitude made eating out with a baby a fun and enjoyable experience. I’d highly recommend it for anyone looking to treat friends or loved ones to a memorable foodie experience.
Luxury advent calendars
It seems crazy early but the time has come to shop your favourite luxury advent calendars before they sell out. (Christmas fanatics will know that Harrods’s has already sold out as has Space NK’s). This year my favourites include Jo Malone’s, which is filled with festive fragrances, miniature candles and bath & body smellies. Alternatively, why not make your own with these fabric advent calendar bags?
Which leads me on nicely to festive fun to book now
I was very sorry not to see London at its most sparkly last year because I was nine months pregnant and grounded in Istanbul. I’m making up for it this year though with an extended trip back home, packed full of festive fun. On the to-do list are:
Skate at Somerset House. Yes, I still love it and tickets are available now
A stroll around the Christmas lights and festive firs of Mayfair. (The Oxford Street Switch On is the 5 November, while the Claridge’s Christmas Tree, designed by Sir Paul Smith, will be unveiled on 20th November).
Dinner at the Feast off-piste pop-up on the Berkeley’s rooftop, followed by a cocktail at Miracle at Henrietta, inspired by New York’s famous Ninth Street bar.
Christmas at Kew, a slam dunk with little ones. Tickets are available here
Christmas at Blenheim Palace. Completely OTT but magical nonetheless. It’s most definitely worth hopping on a train for.
If you’re already in Crimbo sprucing mode,
has you covered. Her recently published feature incudes everything from the best Christmas candles to buy now to the wrapping paper to snag before it sells out. Just love.And finally…Kate Moss’s perfect party wardrobe for Zara will launch online and in store on 30 November. Save the date!
Love the eclectic treasure trove of ideas in the frantic rush towards Christmas. Know someone who would love Jo Malone calendar and will definitely snap up the & Other Stories jumper (in mole!).
Thanks for the shout-out! Much appreciated :)