Situated in Embassy Gardens, Linnean Living is an unexpected oasis located in a new development close to the newly built U.S. Embassy. Linnaean was founded in September 2019 by entrepreneur Elena Tayleur who wanted to bring together health, beauty and lifestyle in one special location. Elena’s creation is a health-focussed café, hair salon, beauty spa and lifestyle boutique that promotes balanced conscious living. Designed by MBDS, the team behind Annabel’s, Sexy Fish & Brasserie of Light, its hard not to be impressed by the beautiful decors of the space. Linnean takes its name from the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus, who helped define our understanding of who we are, and how we fit in with the world around us.
“We set up Linnaean to help navigate modern living and promote health and happiness.”
I discovered Linnean a month or so after it first opened and its been one of my favourite places to visit in London ever since. Its interiors are absolutely stunning, its food is well presented and delicious, and if that wasn’t enough, there is an exceptional beauty offering too. Their expert therapists will help you look great and feel wonderful after a short visit. Before the last lockdown I experienced a much needed facial and a sensational massage which seemed to rid me of every stress knot and muscle ache I had.
Spa Treatments
There are many treatments which you can choose from at the Linnean Medi Spa, including holistic massage rituals unique to Linnean. Created to redefine the traditional beauty space by marrying classic salon treatments with a gold standard aesthetic offering, Elena has created a experience similar to an exclusive private members environment with advanced bioscience beauty and high-spec beauty treatments on offer.
“Linnaean is a space and a philosophy for health, hair, beauty and lifestyle, providing a nourishing and stimulating blend of the latest and greatest with the primordial.”
Linnean has a holistic and multi versed approach to massage, they can combine acupuncture, cupping, sound therapy and holistic rituals to massage treatments making it one of a kind experience. They have a bespoke approach to every guest tailoring treatments individually, my treatment here was incredible and possibly the best massage I have ever experienced.
Hair Salon
Catering to all hair types and needs, Linnean’s team includes experts who are award-winners with experience working across global fashion weeks and with fashion publications such as British Vogue. I have had a few appointments here, the experience begins with a detailed bespoke consultation where the stylists at Linnaean consider every element, it’s clear that a thoughtful and methodical approach is taken with each and every booking.
Nail Salon
The nail salon includes curated nail brands with innovative formulations such as Fedua, which is the world thinnest gel polish. The Linnean eye-catching collection features bright, long-lasting colours for every occasion.
Restaurant
Linnean Living has a holistic and artisanal approach to food and dining as well as sourcing of ingredients. Showcasing sustainability, seasonality and an innate understanding of nutrition. I’m not usually a fan of “trendy” food, however the Linnean restaurant does have the perfect balance between plant based and clean dining - which is actually delicious. Their gluten free and dairy free menu is changed seasonally with each dish having health benefits such as aiding digestion or detoxification.
My favourites from the menu are their matcha pancakes, açai bowls and specialty coffee from their custom-made machine.
Boutique
Elena has cherry-picked products from some of the very best brands in the world for the Linnean Living boutique. She has an inclusive approach to skincare from doctor led science based to ecological, ayurvedic, organic, vegan and non toxic brands with a results driven focus. Through the boutique I have come across some incredible brands which I had never heard of before.
Elena Tayleur discussed with me her motivations for creating Linnean Living:
We set up Linnaean to help navigate modern living and promote health and happiness. Contemporary life is filled with negative as well as positive disruption, we go so many changes that can herald both opportunity and overload. Here at Linnean we help our guests to keep up, while keeping balanced. Linnaean is a space and a philosophy for health, hair, beauty and lifestyle, providing a nourishing and stimulating blend of the latest and greatest with the primordial. We set up our business in Nine Elms, which is developing at a rapid and exciting rate, Linnaean aims to support and nurture the local community, and encourage a feeling of urban connectedness and sustainability.
You can find out more about Linnean Living at https://linnaean.co.uk/
Photographs courtesy of Linnean Living
