Founded in 1875, Liberty made its name (and earned some mockery) as an importer of Asian art and as a major proponent of Art Nouveau style. Now its focus is distinctly British. The timber-and-plaster wing looks Tudor, but is actually a 1924 revival constructed from the salvaged timbers of two ships, HMS Impregnable and HMS Hindustan; the length of the latter ship equals the building’s length along Great Marlborough Street. The store’s stationery and scarf selections are deservedly celebrated, as are its fabrics (many of which are designed in house or only available briefly), and the beauty hall is one of the best. The soft wooden spaces are creaky and seductive, while the staff service is so obsequious it evokes a bygone era.