The Lodger shop was supposed to open on the 15th of September 2008.  Just in time for London Fashion Week.  Not that we were planning on dipping our toes into the temporal world of seasonal collections and fleeting parties, but it would have been nice to open the doors while the world’s press was in town. 

But with our builder walking out on the job 3 days prior to starting the fit out, and a two week scramble to find someone to step in, we’re now looking at the mid to late October. 

Sometimes, however, these things work out for the best.  Our new builder appears to very good, with a resume including Rolls Royce, among others.  And they are almost as anal on the excel as I am.  A very good sign.

It has also given our architects a little bit more time to refine the design.  The custom chairs have been ordered, as have the giant polished concrete floor tiles.  But it’s the folded steel staircase I’m most excited about. 

Finished a deep bronze colour with a leather runner, this is going to be the heart of the space.  Of course it means completely removing the floor, putting in new structural beams, and then installing a new wall so that the stairs appear to float on their own.  But this is a small price to pay for a thing of beauty. 

As the works progress I will be posting photos of the job.  For now, here is a sneak peek at the design of the ground floor and a computer rendered drawing of the stairs.  Cross your fingers for us.