My Perfect Day: Paul Costelloe

Breakfast

My father and mother, no matter what happened, would have breakfast together before my father went to work, and I like to keep that habit with my wife. However, if we are in Marylebone for breakfast, we do go to that lovely bakery Bonne Bouche.

A spot of fresh air

I have been known to stop off in Hyde Park for a brainstorm or a snooze in my deckchair, as I cycle through there on my way into work or back home.

A new outfit

I am a designer, so I make the worst shopper. I hate buying clothes for myself. I’ll get a good coat—I bought a nice one from Rosselini on Baker Street—but other than that I will wear my own clothes.

Coffee break

I like to escape to The Koppel Project on Baker Street to get some peace from the office, to sketch and to have a coffee.

Culture

We have a good relationship with the Graham Hunter Gallery. Graham is a lovely man—he has just commissioned some more fashion paintings, actually. I do really like the little galleries tucked away on Chiltern Street too. I’ve bought some great pottery from A&D.

Shopping

It would have to be Daunt Books. They host wonderful talks from artists and writers. I’m usually hovering in the back, looking for presents, so I’m a voyeur to some extent, but I do think it’s fantastic. I also like the magazine shop opposite the Chiltern Firehouse—they have a great selection, and their little sweet counter reminds me of sweetshops when I was a kid. Something about the smell.

Pre-dinner drinks

The Barley Mow on Dorset Street. They do a great pint, it’s well priced, the staff are lovely, and they have those great snugs. I’m a Carling man really, but they have a good selection of craft beers.

Eating out

Il Blandford’s serves the best Italian food in the whole of London—and I have lived in Italy. The second best is around the corner from there: Anacapri.

Eating in

The things I love most are good olive oil and salad. I really enjoy making a homemade salad with an oil, mustard and vinegar dressing. Our friends the Bamfords have a cafe and shop called Daylesford, and they do a good job, actually. It feels authentic. We go in sometimes and buy nice tomatoes, new potatoes or fresh cream.

Anything else?

It would be nice to have something that brought you together with other people working in Marylebone, like a little badge, or a lunch every month in one of the garden squares. But other than that, it’s perfect—or almost perfect. I suppose, if it was totally perfect, it would be boring.