http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33794 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33794 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33783 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33783 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33753 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33753 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28145 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28145 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28041 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28041 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24411 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24411 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23836
Christie's on King Street holds fantastic modern art, impressionist art and British art sales, as well as countless furniture and jewellery sales.

In South Kensington it's all a little more light-hearted with pop memorabilia, sporting memorabilia, musical instruments, clocks and house sales where you can often pick up good antique furniture bargains.

South Kensington is also famous for its drop-in valuations, so if there's something on your wall, in your attic or basement that you've always wondered about, take it to Christie's for a free valuation.

They're quieter than museums, and somehow much more personal. No ropes or screens to keep you back.

Their website will tell you what's coming up and when. And if you have time, attend an auction - the bigger sales at Christie's are fascinating to watch. Just don't twitch, stretch or fix your hair.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23836 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21407 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21407 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21334 Fabulous rooms with a real wow factor (ours had a four-poster bed, bathrobes etc). Lovely ambience and atmosphere (thanks largely to the jolly general manager Michael Ruthven, who seems to be everywhere all the time). Decent locally sourced food in a stylish restaurant beside a blazing log fire. We couldn't ask for more. We give it five stars and will certainly go back. A new favourite for us.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21334 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19367 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19367 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17633 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17633 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13245
It is an ecological way to buy extravagant goodies.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13245 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12227
It’s the 15th century part that captivates everyone however, being a marvellous example of Tudor architecture. It’s now restored to a mellow-looking sandy colouring rather than the black and white that most people associate with this type of building. Inside is just as appealing as out but be careful, you may end up buying an antique to remind you of your visit.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12227 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10400 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10400 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6201 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6201 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5137
That said, a little advice picked up from the experts in the business might be useful.

When looking for carpets, be sure to look around and compare before committing (a little home study before arriving is great too). Try to look for shops with serious tradition (family-owned is a good sign) and an attested reputation; such firms are keen to keep up their business and good name and enjoy repeat business- another good indicator.

Further, you'll be wise to demand Turkish rugs only, with certification. The last few years have seen a proliferation of cheap, mass-produced carpets from Afghanistan and Pakistan passed off as the real thing.

Third, avoid the touts and well-attired persuaders strategically located nearby the prime tourist sites; they are working on commission and not particularly scrupulous.

Now that you know what to look out for, where to go?

The Grand Bazaar is of course the prime place for shoppers (though not the only), teeming with over 4,000 shops of all kinds. Although there are many excellent carpet dealers, one unique and rather hip one is Ethnicon, a small but now quite well known outlet offering unique “fusion” rugs and wall hangings, or "kilims."

The vision of the company was to cater to an emerging market (the modern urban interior of varying degrees of minimalism) while at the same time addressing an acute need: the increasing scarcity of antique carpets coming from Anatolian family collections, which have gone from a flood to a trickle over the past 20 years.

To get around this lack, Ethnicon decided to use what was to be found from damaged antique partial carpets, nomad tent coverings, soft casings, scraps and so on, patching them all together through a 15-step process. The result is alluring rugs and wall decorations that combine old ingredients with modern deco tastes. With widespread media attention, the Ethnicon style has become a brand in its own right.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5137 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2444 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2444 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1707 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1707 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1330 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1330 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5135 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5135