My favorite kinds of bookstores are the ones that are insufferably artsy, or the ones that come with a built-in cafe (perhaps in part from the nostalgia of Barnes and Noble Starbucks). Which means Reference Point is my ideal bookstore. In the chaos of London’s Strand, tucked away within the 180 Studios hub, Reference Point is a quiet reprieve for the creative community. It’s a bookstore, a library, a cafe, a bar, a space to sit down and study or read or work or hang out. It’s a space dedicated to sharing visual literature with the public.

Reference Point carries a bit of that elusive IYKYK vibe. It’s comfortable, purposeful. Everyone who is there is either a regular or an informed wanderer with a love of art and design. By day, it’s a quiet space for research and browsing, and by night a cultural hub hosting many artsy events. It’s a gravitational place that attracts the creative community, local and visiting, and the perfect place for creative inspiration and connection.