Gorgeous, contemporary, smartly selected pieces made Conran’s name in housewares; its flagship store is a master class in elegant urban furnishings and desirable home accessories. Its building is just as worthy: the 1911 Art Nouveau headquarters of the Michelin Tire Company, coated with decorative tiles of era racing cars and the Michelin Man (aka Bibendum). The newer location in Marylebone, however, is more convenient (55 Marylebone High St., W1; [tel] 020/7723-2223; Tube: Baker Street).