Bound To Please
Luxury Leather Diaries
In this mile-a-minute, ever-changing, digitally-obsessed modern world, it’s heartening to find that there are still enclaves of excellence given over to the gentle, if seemingly diminishing, art of writing. Of course, we all have smart phones and tablets, and busy schedules with barely a window for Pilates or tapas let alone writing, but the tactile pleasure of a beautifully crafted, old-fashioned leather diary is never to be underestimated. Here’s our round-up of the loveliest, luxury appointment books. Pens at the ready!
Smythson of Bond Street
In the same way that the orange Hermes or robin egg Tiffany box immediately signals something wonderful is contained therein, so the signature cornflower blue of London’s 125-year old Bond Street stationer Smythson confers quiet, reassuringly expensive luxury.
The holder of no less than three Royal Warrants, Smythson have for generations supplied journals, address books, shooting, gardening and wine records as well, of course as diaries, all in a range of designs and skins from calf and lamb to lizard. Try the sleek 2013 Soho Diary, complete with divinely supple taureau leather cover, gilt-edged ‘Featherweight’ palest blue paper and handy week-to-view layout with additional to-do notes.
2013 Soho Diary £195 /
http://smythson.com Aspinal of London British leather goods specialist Aspinal is not only known for its timeless totes, luggage and accessories, but also a rather natty line in diaries, books and albums too. Individually handmade, bound and finished by English craftsmen, you can even choose a matching cover for your tablet or smartphone.
With a range that spans pocket, desk, social and lockable diaries as well as personal organisers, it’s the surprisingly affordable A4 desk diaries that have caught our eye, coming in Week to View, or Day to a Page formats and a range of finishes like padded Amazon Brown Crocodile-embossed leather, and better yet, all can be personalised with initials.
Amazon Brown Crocodile-embossed leather £85 /
http://aspinaloflondon.com Anya Hindmarch Trust the clever Ms Hindmarch to come up with what is possibly (without going to Florence to have one made) the most customisable diary on the market. The signature ‘Two-Way’ system means you have a diary and notebook in one handy leather-bound cover, complete with gold-plated retracting pencil.
But best of all, the pen loops can be embossed with your choice of labels, while the cover can be monogrammed, and a design, drawing or even a message in your own handwriting added too. Now that’s personalised!
Large Leather-bound 2013 Diary £195 /
http://anyahindmarch.com Debrett’s Who can resist a title? It’s perhaps unsurprising that Debrett’s, the keeper of the UK’s Peerage & Baronetage as well as all things to do with taste and etiquette, should also produce a terribly demure and desirable set of diaries.
The four leather Lady’s Diaries come in gold, violet, aqua or peacock, while the Gentleman’s Diary sports a handsome teal, each features the famous gilded Debrett’s coronet monogram, a comely contrasting silk lining, week-to-view with year planner, awfully useful gift ideas, as well of course as full details of The Season. One simply wouldn’t be seen dead without it, my dear.
Lady’s Diary and Gentleman’s Diary £49.40 /
http://debretts.com