John Lewis has just launched The Residence, the first ever fully furnished in-store apartment, offering customers the ultimate-try-before-you-buy experience.
Opened exclusively at John Lewis Oxford Street, Cambridge and Liverpool, with opportunities to stay overnight and host private dining experiences, everything in The Residence is both for sale and exclusive to John Lewis as part of the 'Only Here' Autumn Exclusives campaign.
Each Residence includes an expansive living and dining area, a fully furnished bedroom and the Oxford Street flagship store will also feature a fitted kitchen - with matching wine cooler, a study and an indoor terrace that will overlook Cavendish Square. To bring the outside in, the terrace features clean-air plants and orange trees, all fresh from the nursery at the John Lewis Partnership Leckford estate in Hampshire.
The Residence has all the characteristics of a home; a daily newspaper delivery, fresh coffee, its own scent and the sound of the radio in the background. Cupboards and wardrobes are bursting with the latest Autumn Winter products across home, fashion and technology.
Saturdays at The Residence offers the ultimate night-at-the-museum style experience. Customers will be able to apply for an overnight stay complete with an exclusive opportunity to explore the flagship shop after the doors have closed to customers.
A private Residence concierge will be on hand for the whole of the stay, to ensure everything is as comfortable as possible and that guest's favourite Waitrose nibbles are available for midnight snacking. Also, a Waitrose breakfast basket and newspapers delivered the following morning to help ensure the perfect lie-in.
Customers will also be able to apply to sleepover in The Residences at John Lewis Liverpool and Cambridge.
Dining at The Residence
Once a week at The Residence in Oxford Street customers will be able to apply to host their dream dinner party for up to ten people. During the privately catered experience an expert chef will prepare and serve a special menu with guests able to request their favourite cocktail to be shaken or stirred by The Residence's mixologist on arrival.
To ensure a completely unique and tailored evening, customers will pre-select their music playlist and choose their preferred table setting from the John Lewis collections, which will be prepared for their arrival. To end the evening, customers can either while the night away with a selection of dinner party board games, or cosy up in front of on one of the shop's biggest and best plasma screens.
Brunch at The Residence in Liverpool and Cambridge
At The Residence in Liverpool and Cambridge, customers will be able to apply to host their own private brunches. Every Saturday up to six guests can enjoy a two hour dining experience that will include Mimosas and freshly prepared brunch dishes. Guests will receive a newspaper delivery of their choice and will be able to enjoy morning radio as well as personal shopping advice from The Residence concierge.