The very best of design, decor and craftsmanship in Britain and beyond was featured at this year’s London Design week at a number of locations.  The sheer number of places to go to,  special events, companies and products was outstanding, therefore some serious editing of personal favourites had to be done.  It’s called a “design week” for a reason;  you really need a full week to do it all!

Here’s a few of the most inspiring things I’ve seen, largely focusing on residential interior design and decor and only from a select few of the numerous  venues: 100% Design, Decorex and Design Junction’s two locations.

 

Designjunction

During the festival, Designjunction welcomed a record breaking 26, 000 visitors in it’s two central London locations.  The 2015 line-up included more than 180 brands and 35 pop-up shops in addition to other fun things such as eateries and special programming.

Skultuna

I first spotted Slovenian Lara Bohinc’s fabulously detailed votive and candle holders for Skultuna at the Victoria house location.  Stunning brass pieces carrying her celestial inspiration would inject some understated glamour to any room.

At an entirely separate venue Decorex, her otherworldly “Lunar” collection for Lapicida was a sure standout.    Originally a jeweler and now a furniture designer, Lara is experimenting with Lapicida’s  selection of lavish marbles on offer.  Included in the Lunar range is the abstract “Full Moon” side table pictured here.  Just the perfect mix of modern, forward thinking design and luxury for today’s astute home owners.   The Lunar Collection also includes the Half Moon dining table, and the Sun and Moon coffee table.  Discs echoing planetary forms intercept one another to create surface patterns and structural elements, forming bases and tops that result in a dynamic visual.

Tylko – online custom furniture

 

Also launching at DesignJunction, Tylko is a new online furniture brand that enables mass customization.  Each piece from the brand’s debut collection which includes a shelf, table and salt and pepper mill, is designed parametrically and can be customized as well as ordered online using their amazing app. Customers are able to choose sizing as well as colour options, then virtually  virtually place the pieces in their living room using augmented reality.

 

Ton furniture –  simple yet effective display

I just couldn’t get over the simple yet so effective display of chairs from this established company with it’s roots dating from 1800’s in what is Czech Republic today.

 

The overall vibe of Designjunction event was contemporary, young and fresh with a great selection of designers that care about the relationship between style and function, and the importance of materials.  Clever, sleek furniture lines touching on mid-century modern esthetic, bold fabrics and absolutely stunning lighting products.   Here are some more images of my favourites.  It was tough, but I managed not to take a photo of every walnut furniture piece I came across; my weakness..

 

100% Design

Exhibitors 100% Design’s were carefully selected, reflecting the show’s focus on design quality, innovation and relevance to the architecture and design community.

 

Efasma at 100% Design

UK furniture brand Efasma unveiled it’s very first collection at 100% design this year and absolutely wowed visitors with its ecological approach and the use of natural materials, traditional techniques and quality craftsmanship.  Hailing from Bureau de Change, the London architect firm, the furniture is inspired by the brand’s Greek origins and is dedicated to using local craftsmen and talent, resulting in stunning pieces such as these wonderful woven chairs.

Handful of fabric exhibitors stood out for me including Pam Weinstock with photographic images manipulated into pattern reminiscing of water; Mitas & Co. that specializes in emerging designers and illustrators to create unique fabrics and wallpaper; Anne Kyyrö Quinn’s sculptural acoustic textile designs that merges drama with function. Quite a number of  fabulous lighting products,  such as the Charles Lehaby’s attention grabbers, and hardware goodies such as these Turnstyle Design’s bamboo and antique brass door handles.

Decorex International

Luxury product is the main theme at Decorex.  Very British and  internationally renowned as being “the” event to discover the very best in luxury furniture, furnishings and products from selected 400 exhibitors.
In addition to Lara Bohinc’s furniture launch here within Lapicidas tent,  there again was a sea of stunning lighting products, wall coverings and furniture.  Personally, the most engaging booth was of de Gournay , London based company that specializes in creating exquisite hand painted wallpapers, fabrics, porcelain and hand carved furniture. Using the absolute finest of materials,  their highly skilled artists meticulously create every design in-house, and we were able to watch some of them work right there at the show.  Many other phone-dropping stunners, like these triple bulb lights by Ochre or all of it from Tom Faulkner! (Angel chair in gold and white pictured).

It was not only inspiring but simply satisfying to get a sense of the direction British interior design is taking.    Certainly with the young, up-and-coming firms and designers, this direction is guided by sustainability, craftsmanship and the innovative ideas that bring style and function together in furniture, fabrics, lighting and decor products.
Looking forward to seeing the styles and trends evolve over the next few years!