Designs, Docks & the ‘Chick on a Stick’: A Creative Weekend in Liverpool
Liverpool isn’t just home to The Beatles and football—it’s an absolute gem for design lovers. I spent a long weekend exploring this spirited city and came back buzzing with inspiration, quirky finds, and more than a few photos of art that made me stop and stare (sometimes laugh out loud).
Let’s just say: if cities were mood boards, Liverpool would be a bold mash-up of heritage textures, unexpected colour, gritty industrial edges, and joyful personality. Here's a peek into my design-fuelled adventure...
Home Base: Georgian Charm on Catharine Street
We stayed in a gorgeous Airbnb tucked in the Georgian Quarter, where every street seems to be styled with soft stone facades, sash windows, and that romantic sense of faded grandeur. It’s the kind of neighbourhood where you imagine creatives sipping coffee while sketching floorplans—and honestly, that’s not far off.
If you're an interiors nerd like me, prepare for serious door envy. Deep hues, fanlights, vintage knockers—pure joy.
A Library with Secrets Beneath Your Feet
One of the most surprising gems of the trip? Liverpool Central Library. After a £60 million refurbishment, this place is now a dreamy blend of classic grandeur and contemporary design. But before you even step inside, there’s a brilliant detail underfoot.
Leading up to the entrance is a 72-foot-long granite walkway, engraved with the titles of books, films, and albums. It feels like walking across a cultural timeline—but look closer and you’ll notice some letters are highlighted in red. It’s not random: these letters form a hidden message, a riddle that even the library staff haven’t fully cracked. It’s interactive, playful, and totally on-brand for Liverpool.
Inside, the light-filled atriums and rooftop terrace offer panoramic views of the city—perfect for soaking in design inspiration with a side of skyline.
A Walking Gallery: Liverpool’s Art in the Open
Liverpool LOVES its public art. One minute you’re passing Victorian statues, the next you’re face to face with modern masterpieces.
Right by the cathedral is Tracey Emin’s eye-catching sculpture—officially titled “Roman Standard”, but affectionately known by locals as the “Chick on a Stick.” It’s tiny, it’s odd, and it cost £60k back in 2005. I kind of love that it's so unapologetically weird. A tiny bronze bird perched high above the ground, symbolising resilience—because why not?
A Dose of Drama: Liverpool Cathedral
The cathedral itself is epic—towering Gothic lines mixed with bold mid-century additions. Inside, the stained glass dances with light in the most theatrical way. For anyone obsessed with scale, structure, and natural light in design (guilty!), this space is a masterclass.
Design Inspo at Every Turn
From the historic Albert Dock with its industrial brick arches and cast-iron columns, to the colourful frontages of Bold Street cafes, design is baked into the city's DNA. Even the old warehouses feel like Pinterest boards waiting to happen—raw textures, exposed brick, and that perfect palette of rust, grey, and sea-salted stone.
We also spotted murals, mosaic-tiled signage, and dreamy interiors in independent coffee shops (Liverpool takes its café styling seriously).
Takeaway for Designers
Liverpool taught me that great design isn’t just in glossy interiors—it’s in the grit, the humour, and the personality of a place. It's in that tension between old and new, elegance and edge.
So if you're ever craving a bit of creative shake-up, go north. Let Liverpool charm you, challenge you, and make you rethink what beautiful even means.
Cities like Liverpool keep my eye fresh for the homes I design across Devon. If you'd like that mix of heritage and personality in your own rooms, let's talk.