What is it?
Aria is located in an atmospheric space in Islington’s Barnsbury Hall. Many of the building’s original features have been restored and they now contrast beautifully with the über-modern lines of contemporary furniture and homewares. High-quality designer pieces are here, as are more unusual pieces, such as Fornasetti’s black and white, hand-painted Antipatico vase (£180) and the Bourgie table light by Ferruccio Laviani (£211). This mix, teamed with a very nice in-store café, makes Aria a pleasure to visit, even if just to browse.
What does it sell?
With a 30-year history of representing both established and emerging brands, Barnsbury Hall has become a go-to destination for interiors. But, chairs are a speciality, with Starck and Arne Jacobsen well represented. Smaller stand-outs include a David Shrigley's cocaine and heroin pots (£79) and pretty Taika bowl (£23.50) that would make a great gift, especially if it had some of Aria’s very tempting selection of toiletries (Cowshed, Savon de Marseilles) nestled inside it.
Opening times:
Mon-Sat 10am-6.30pm; Sun 12pm-5pm
Time Out tip:
The website has some handy gift guides, we suggest looking through if you're in the market for a good present.
As featured in the 100 best shops in London