Contemporary Interior Design

• Posted on 31st October 2011 by Nicola Holden

As part of the London Design Festival, the second show that I hadn’t visited before was Tent London. This show is held at the Old Truman Brewery in Brick Lane, and has over 200 international exhibitors, showing the very latest in contemporary interior products including furniture, lighting, ceramics, textiles, materials and accessories. The layout of the show is quite chaotic, but I still managed to find some intriguing stands there.

I was very impressed with the selection of products on offer from Design Island, a group of Irish Designer Makers, including Dunleavy Bespoke, Shane Holland Design Workshops, Patrick Casserly Design, Sinéad Mitchell, Omos Street Furniture and Ceadogán Rugs.

Taking the concept of flocked wallpapers one step further, Thomas & Vines flock all manner of objects and surfaces, including 2D or 3D objects, producing some stunning effects, such as this Perspex chair with flocked patterning.
And then there is Melanie Porter, who uses traditional knitting techniques to cover anything from chairs, tables, lamps and, of course, cushions.

These contrasting ceramics – the contemporary yet sensual designed by Bodo Sperlein for Nikko were delightful, and the charming and delicate lustrous mirrored cups by Richard Brendon which reflect their antique china saucers below.

I know that I blogged about wallpapers last week, but as I’ve been going through my collection of brochures from Tent I came across this fun wallpaper by Abigail Edwards – ‘Owls of the British Isles’.
I love this furniture by Zoe Morphy, whose Margate origins inspire her imagery which she prints onto restored and recycled furniture.

Two very different clocks – the handsome Stag Clock by Polly Westergaard, and the minimalistic Godfather Clock by Michael Siney.

All in all quite a diverse range of products on offer, and worth the visit!

Image credits from respective companies.

• Posted in Interior Design, Tent London | Comments Off

• Posted on 25th October 2011 by Nicola Holden

There were so many wonderful new fabrics and wallpapers launched at the London Design Festival, be it Decorex, 100% Design and Tent that I thought this topic deserved to be covered on its own.

Wallpaper

The trends this year seem to be on toned-down designs, with an almost utilitarian feel. Solid, honest materials were also popular, such as this Concrete Wall collection and this hand-woven jute wallpaper from Phillip Jeffries.

Children’s prints came out in numbers. These wallpapers, from Katie Bourne Interiors, Paper Boy Wallpapers and Barnaby Gates, were some of my favourites.

I also loved these slightly retro feel wallpapers from Mini Moderns and Yukari Sweeney Design.

Tactile Wonderland produces a fabulous range of wallpapers with laser cut-out designs.
	This quirky ‘Dog’ wallpaper from Baines and Fricker made me smile!

Fabric

In fabrics, I simply adored this print of over-sized Punchinellas dancing joyously across the linen – exclusively designed by David Hockney for Celia Birtwell.

Linens and natural fibres were all the rage this year, with these beautiful examples from Rapture and Wright, Carolina Irving, Lindsay Alker and Susie Watson.

Woolen fabrics are also becoming increasingly popular in interiors, such as these delicious pure merino lambswool fabrics from Moon.

I love the monochrome simplicity of these designs by Anna Regös for Palmetta Design, and the woven three-dimensional form of this design by newcomer Priyal Garg.

I am a big fan of Linwood fabrics, and so it was great to see them back at Decorex again this year. I have used their fabrics in a few of my schemes.

I was also very pleased to see the new Clarissa Hulse range for Harlequin, which made a delightfully colourful stand. She is another of my favourites, and I used a selection of her fabrics and wallpaper in a recent project of mine.

Which is your favourite fabric or wallpaper?

Image credits from respective companies.

• Posted in Interior Design, London Design Festival | Comments Off

• Posted on 21st October 2011 by Nicola Holden

It is almost a month since 100% Design, and I have finally found some time to trawl through all the brochures I picked up, and remind myself of what was on show this year.

It is quite a challenge to blog about 100% Design, as the show features everything from companies who just produce hinges or shower drain covers, to companies who produce a complete range of furniture and accessories or sweeping stairways, and everything in between. In fact, just about everything that goes into a house is featured at 100% Design!

There is a lot of new talent on show at 100% Design, and products ranging from fabulous to hideously kitsch!! However, here are some of my favourite picks for this show.

Penelope Batley’s inventive and witty approach to her work blurs the boundaries between Design, Art and Craft. Her work has an opulent, escapist ‘play on words’ humour, no more so than with her Big Big Bling Necklace!
Whilst we’re on the subject of lighting, I have always been a big fan of the lighting and furniture designed by MacMaster, especially their Iris feature pendant light which casts wonderful shadows from the ‘Iris’ inspired leaves.
And not to forget Brigid Strevens whose striking solid brass wrap pendant light is influenced by the simplicity of Japanese origami. Coloured and lacquered on the outside, the polished brass interior gives a warm down light.
Moving on to furniture, & Then Design are a furniture and product design brand based in Nottingham. They produce a great selection of contemporary designer furniture, all manufactured in the UK.
On a stand showcasing contemporary design from Chile, I came across this wonderful bookcase, ‘Wing’ by Orlando Gatica Design Studio – such an unusual and eye-catching design.
And, to add some brightness and fun to this blog post, how about this eclectic chaise from fabric designers Corita Rose, with its signature strong imagery and vivid colours?
The new Complemento range of rugs from Chichi Cavalcanti focuses on colour and texture. This particular rug, characterised by its pebbly looking surface, is hand-knotted in Europe with 100% pure felted wool from New Zealand.
The Colour Flooring Company offers a very affordable range of contemporary vinyl flooring. The floors are made of commercial-grade sheet vinyl, and each colourway is a solid block of pigment with a matt coating for a smooth, modern finish.
Although winter is fast approaching, there were quite a few garden products on show, including this gorgeously chunky Sempre furniture available from Bluepool. This furniture, designed in Belgium and handmade in Indonesia, uses ecologically sourced materials, and aims to represent the modern and the rustic at their finest.
This wonderfully sculptured ceramic furniture by artist Ifat Shterenberg, has a very calming feel to it. The pieces are hollow, and therefore reasonably light, but are nevertheless almost as durable as rock.
And, to finish off this blog post, I found this fabulously different range of steel outdoor furniture from Kirv. Being stainless steel means there’s no time consuming maintenance. This furniture will definitely create a buzz in any outdoor space.

100% Design is definitely not a show to be missed.

Image credits from respective companies.

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• Posted on 17th October 2011 by Nicola Holden

During the London Design Festival this year, I decided to visit a couple of shows that I haven’t done before. One of these was Tramshed, which made its debut at London Design Festival in 2010. I thought this show, although small, was a delight, and here’s why:

The simple yet graceful lines of the furniture by Studioilse.

The folds and curves on this beautiful Karen Morgan Porcelain.

This stunning new collection of barware by Miranda Watkins
created in polished pewter and cork.

This gorgeous light fitting above the Tramshed entrance by
Canadian based company, Bocci.

These wonderfully designed cushions by Charlene Mullen.

The beautiful lines of this Flower Cup Chair by Leif.designpark and
available from De La Espada.

This cheerful floor lamp by Delightfull.

Did anyone else visit Tramshed? What was your favourite item?

Image credits from respective companies.

• Posted in Interior Design, Tramshed | Comments Off

• Posted on 10th October 2011 by Nicola Holden

Today I thought I would blog about some of the decorative objets that Decorex had to offer this year.

First off is LaLou, whose African Bust table lamps caught my eye. LaLou sources a stunning collection of objects from markets around the world, and these are then transformed into unique and beautiful lamps.
Helen Yardley describes her rugs as two-dimensional art for floors. I really like the designs in her new collection, which was on show at Decorex.
These beautifully luxurious throws by Evitavonni provide a fabulous finishing touch, especially as summer begins to turn to winter and the days and nights get cooler.
A company who have recently found their way onto my radar are Bronzino, and they were exhibiting their hand-made solid sheet copper planters which can be used both outdoors and indoors.
Dominic Schuster’s stand was eye catching with its enormous antique mirrors, one of which combined an image of Buddha. These mirrors can be used as stand-alone pictures, or they can be incorporated into mirror panelling to create a stunning work of art.
CCUK is a new brand of Contemporary Luxury Crystal from Cumbria Crystal. I love the way that these glasses are linked through their spherical shape, yet are distinct from each other through their different cut patterns, designed by Katy Holford.
I am not naturally drawn to lighting with LED lamps on display. However, Le Deun Luminaires are an exception to this rule with their clever decorative lighting designs, all using LEDs as the main light source. Handy with today’s ever challenging lighting regulations.
Whilst on the subject of lighting, David Hunt Lighting also produces original products incorporating different textures, colours and finishing techniques that result in a range of innovative and unusual lighting products.
Riviere create beautifully luxurious handknotted rugs whose designs combine understated elegance and timeless glamour. The rugs are handcrafted in Nepal using the finest grade, high altitude Tibetan wool and pure silk.
Objet de Curiosité uses the idea of the ‘curiosity cabinet’ of Renaissance Europe to inspire their range of unusual objects which combine the beauty of nature with the aesthetics of a place and a period. As they say, “We make something beautiful out of the extraordinary things Nature has created.”

Image credits from respective companies.

• Posted in Decorex, Interior Design | 2 Comments

• Posted on 06th October 2011 by Nicola Holden

Next up on the London Design Festival blogging I thought I would talk about my all-time favourite interior design show – Decorex. Decorex is the UK’s most prestigious design and interiors exhibition, and never fails to impress. On show are some of the most innovative, inspirational and high quality products.

As I try to make sense of all the brochures that I collected at the show this year, the one thing that jumps out at me for this blog is furniture with a difference – those statement pieces that complete a scheme.

I have previously blogged about Exceptional French Artisans, and Moissonnier are no exception. Their style is an amalgamation of traditional with avant-garde, bringing in artistic expertise from a wide range of subjects. The result is quirky pieces that would mix well in any modern eclectic scheme. I just loved this chest of drawers.

I think the stand that stood out the most for me at Decorex was that of Forbidden City, named after the largest imperial palace in China. This collection of contemporary furniture is a marriage of Chinese traditions with a minimal modern aesthetic, all of it produced to standards fir for an Emperor.

SplinterWorks make fabulous ‘functional sculpture’, and are the makers behind the much talked about ‘Stiletto’ desk. It was great to actually see this desk on their stand at Decorex. I wonder where they got the inspiration for this piece of furniture from?!

Although Charlotte James are traditionally renowned for their specialist upholstery, I really like their new range of bespoke cabinet furniture, combining colour with natural wood.

Susannah Hunter has translated her signature leather appliqué flowers into a bespoke furniture range including armchairs, ottomans, screens and dining chairs. All pieces are upholstered using the finest traditional methods and techniques.

The simplicity of form and purity of a good shape define the style that is Pinch. No other words are required to describe this simple yet elegant furniture.

Biden Designs imports rare and stunningly beautiful products from Japan, much of it from Kyoto where art has been produced in abundance for the aesthetically sophisticated Kyotoites.

Villiers Brothers produce high end bespoke pieces of furniture that ooze originality and craftsmanship. I love the lines in this console table, which would make a fabulous statement piece in a hallway, living or dining room.

All in all, an exciting and eclectic mix of furniture styles to choose from. Which is your favourite piece?

Image credits from respective companies.

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