London, England - A Flat to Call My Own in Belgravia

My new digs

I just completed my transatlantic move to London, and phew, was it ever challenging! I arrived with nine pieces of luggage and my parents in tow, and started the manic search for a flat literally as soon as I landed. I never would have imagined that the housing market here in London is as wildly expensive as it is. 310sq. ft. will run you £425, or $690 a week!! We saw some pretty horrific flats (one in Mayfair may have even been a brothel, we are still uncertain) and then by sheer luck, I found a place just off my absolute favorite street in Central London's Belgravia neighborhood: Motcomb Street. The location alone sold me on this flat, which feels more like an English country cottage than your run of the mill square box-like flat.

The one bedroom flat is on the ground floor, off of an adorable mews street and down a little gated cul-de-sac. It has its own entrance flanked by beautiful planters of boxwood. The furnishings are best described as English cottage shabby chic, but the highlights are the ultra modern kitchen with top-of-the-line Gaggenau appliances, sparkling bathroom with double sinks, and three massive built in closets.

My flat features an extensive collection of Bryan Organ artwork (British artist and godfather to Prince Harry), and the only other person to have a larger personal collection of his artwork is Prince Charles. Incidentally, my next door neighbor is the Queen's cousin, Lady Helen Taylor. I am one block from Harvey Nichol's, and two blocks from Harrod's, as well as my favorite burger at the trendy Bar Boulud in the Mandarin Oriental.

I am also about 500 steps from the absolutely fabulous gourmet prepared food shop and caterer Ottolenghi on Motcomb Street. If this window of homemade sweets isn't enough to draw you inside, I don't know what is. Just look at these delicious sweet and savory delectables. I know where I'll be picking up dinner from now on!

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