I had booked a place at Abigail Ahern's interior design school. I read Abi's blog every day and enjoy hearing about her design projects and the masterclasses that she runs in London, New York and Sydney.
Arriving at Dalston Kingsland station and making my way through the authentically gritty local street market I realised that Hackney is still up and coming rather than up and come!
As I got closer to Abi's road, the first signs of gentrification began to appear and I stopped at an organic food store and café - Healthy Stuff - for a flat white.
Abi's house was just around the corner - easily spotted by the fabulous Farrow & Ball Downpipe exterior paint job.
Inside the house was amazing - tea in the basement kitchen as Abi and Graham's crazy dogs got overexcited and then upstairs to the schoolroom in the attic. The day was great fun, a mixture of lecture, house tour and good old natter with an interesting group of people - all very inspiring!
The day ended with pink champagne and cupcakes, followed by a cab to Atelier Abigail Ahern - Abi's shop on Upper Street.
I then moved on to the second part of the day - Dawn French in conversation with Sue Perkins at the Criterion Theatre in Piccadilly Circus, followed by a book signing.
I am a big Sue Perkins fan so was very excited at the prospect of meeting her at the signing. Alas it was not to be, the conversation on stage was over an hour long and brilliantly funny, but only Dawn attended the signing part (well it was to promote her book Oh Dear Silvia I guess).
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