Professional calligrapher and stationery design artist Phebe Lim draws inspiration from the calm, creative pockets of the city
London is full of energy and I adore it, but I’ve made the western suburb of Ealing my home as it offers a quieter pace of life. My husband and I are both foodies and wanted a place that wasn’t quite in the thick of it anymore. Ealing is peaceful and family-friendly – quaint, cosy and filled with independent shops you won’t find in the city. There’s a real charm to it. You get the buzz of London when you want it, but it’s not in your face.
Living here has taught me to slow down, notice the beauty in small things and let those details shape the way I work. Ealing isn’t on many tourist maps – but maybe that’s exactly what makes it special.
Green and inspired
The green spaces in West London are unmatched. Every weekend, I start my day with a walk in Walpole Park (Mattock Lane, behind Pitzhanger Manor House, Ealing) and sometimes we’ll continue on to Horsenden Farm (Horsenden Lane North, Perivale; horsenden.org), which is a lovely place to see animals and get a little countryside fix.
Kensington Palace Gardens (between Notting Hill Gate and Kensington High Street) is close too, and I especially love going in spring when the flowers bloom – it’s a colour palette waiting to happen. As a creative, these seasonal shifts deeply influence my work. And of course, Kew Gardens (Kew, Richmond, London; kew.org) is endlessly inspiring; one trip is never enough.
Signature experiences
I always make time for exhibitions at the V&A Museum (Cromwell Road, South Kensington; vam.ac.uk) – the recent Marie Antoinette exhibition was a highlight, and one on Elsa Schiaparelli opens on 28 March 2026.
London is not new on the tourist circuit, but personally there are some quintessential experiences that are a must if you’re ever around. For an indulgent afternoon, Orange Pekoe (3 White Hart Lane, Barnes; orangepekoetea.com) does a wonderful tea service. It’s cosy, a little old-world and exactly what you’d hope for from a London tea shop – absolutely worth it.
Creative favourites
As a calligrapher and artist, I am often asked where it’s best to shop for books, paper goods and art supplies. There are always great finds at Daunt Books (83 Marylebone High Street; dauntbooks.co.uk), Choosing Keeping (21a Tower Street, Covent Garden; choosingkeeping.com) and L Cornelissen & Son (105 Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury; cornelissen.com).
Vintage shopping is wonderful in a city like London, and while Portobello Market (Portobello Road, Notting Hill; portobelloroad.co.uk) has been around a while, it remains the perfect place for both vintage books and clothes. For anyone interested in stamp collecting, you must stop by Moleskine (37 Neal Street, Covent Garden, moleskine.com) as it’s not just for notebooks!
Fine foods
Malaysian food is still a bit of a drive (I’d go to Birmingham or Nottingham for the best) but I’ve come to love the mix of cuisines London offers. We usually cook at home but for a great meal out, Haweli (127 Uxbridge Road, Ealing; haweli.co.uk) does amazing Indian food. Further afield, Beam Café (103 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill; beam.kitchen) is a favourite for brunch – the interiors are warm and eclectic and the food is delicious.
