When I was 5, and I found out magic couldn't be real -- I was legitimately upset. Enter the amazing books of Harry Potter when I was 11, it was a magical and wonderful journey with our prodigal heroes and heroines! As I mentioned in the previous post, when I snooped that the Harry Potter film memorabilia were on display in the real life Grimmauld Place, Mish & I jumped at the chance after our korean meal.
The House of MinaLima is the brainchild of Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima who both met and worked on the HP franchise, and have decided to showcase some brilliant illustrations, props and artwork that have graced our eyes so many times in the last decade... phenomenal stuff, just look on! And if you're ever intrigued about the details of these items used in the film, it's a 10/10 must-see from both Mish & I. (You can read her take on our visit here!)
Wandering through the unassuming streets of Soho, housed inconspicuously in a brown terraced building is the colourful and whacky gallery. Enter and you're greeted with HP and other memorabilia the founders have worked on, and get sucked in deeper into the wizarding world as you ascend the crooked and narrow-winding stairs...
Mish was in her element - exclaiming that she wanted to buy the entire building and plant it wholesale in her future home. I don't disagree. The orange walls on the 2nd floor is tribute to Fred and George's Diagon Alley shop - Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes and is riddled with joke and prankster packaging. One of my faves in the gallery!
The Quibbler! The actual Maurauder's Map used in the film! Gdet up close and personal. We spent ages in each room, taking time absorb the magic of a lifetime, and talked excitedly about what we'd do if we were actually in Hogwarts.
The upper atelier is perhaps the most exquisite of all: The Library and Print Room! It stores and displays limited edition print runs of illustrated book covers, posters and designs... with hand-made gold foil. It was freaking intense. We peeped at the price list, but I hastily bade farewell.
The Print Room was undoubtedly my favourite - it had many familiar Daily Prophet covers, and a hilarious spread on wizard ads. Take your time to read time and transport yourself back in that great and surreal world :')
The books annotated and used in the films! If only I could get my hands on one...
Back downstairs, pick up a treat of a pack of HP notebooks for your Potions university lessons. Also be sure to flick through the prints, but don't blame me if you end up going home with one/a few. They are so exquisitely designed, it's like taking home a piece of that magical world. We went home like happy children, excited and delighted.
The House of Minalima is open now and runs till mid next year, so get over there! Also free entry was a big plus ;-)
26 Greek Street
W1D 5DE
London
Let me know if you've already been too, or if you're planning to go! Are y'all a Harry Potter fan (like me)????? SAY YES! Who's your fave character? (Mine is Luna Lovegood)
