Toppings is Topping!

Like many others, today I made my way along to Toppings & Co which opened on Sunday in the old Royal Bank building in Blenheim Place at the end of London Road.
The internal fittings are not yet completed so there is the sound of sawing wood, drilling and occasional hammering along with the rustle of paper as books are unpacked and put on shelves. Definitely a work in progress but none the worse for that. The smell of sawdust tickles your nose along with the scent of new books and a wonderful aroma of coffee. There is an absolute maze of small rooms on at least two floors. There are books everywhere in rooms, on walls, on tables, in boxes and on beautiful custom made wooden shelves, they're all along the narrow corridors, some of which follow the curves of the old Playfair designed walls. It's a browser's delight.
The Arts' room, which is the main picture in my blip is the old bank manager's office. Not a straight line in sight. There are even narrow passageways behind the bookshelves and inside the curve of the outer wall - which I guess in a previous incarnation may have held deed boxes, old ledgers and record books. They have books in these spaces too which you enter through beautiful, grand, heavy wooden doors which have the same curve as the walls... amazing. On the first floor they have isolated settings of tables and stools, set in wee corners and windows so that you can sit and browse in comfort... and while you are sitting they will bring you a cup of coffee or tea... wonderful. I may just have found a new favourite place.
The shop reminds me of the old Baxendine's shop on Teviot Place — there too, there were wheeled library ladders up against the shelves which towered above - there was a second layer of ladders and shelves going up from a narrow gallery high up above head height. My friend's mum worked there, I wanted to as well. Both Toppings and the old Baxendine's wouldn't have been misplaced in Diagon Alley, although Toppings is brighter!
I was in town today for a massage at Clarins. I was clearly far too relaxed and euphoric after it, because on my way home I bought myself a ridiculously expensive, beautifully soft and cuddly, sheepskin hot water bottle cover... it did include a hot water bottle, and came all the way from New Zealand via Denmark, does that make it OK? I've had lots of use out of it all ready cuddling it on the settee this evening while relaxing.
Steps today 13935