Discovery Trail
Notebook and camera in hand I eagerly joined the Discovery Trail at DCCH on the last day of London Design Week. Hosted by Ben Spriggs, deputy editor of Elle Decoration, the trail would take in some of the biggest names in the industry.
Our first stop was at GP & J Baker where we were introduced to Threads, a range of soft, gentle, urban coloured fabrics in velvet, jacquard weaves, and sheers. Next we were introduced to Baker, a collection of fabrics with a royal influence. Images of royal palaces, courtiers waistcoats, and Hampton Chimneys were just some of the designs that adorned these heritage prints.
Moving on, our next port of call was Zimmer + Rhode. Here we viewed an extraordinary range of contemporary fabrics and wallpapers; deconstructed florals, raffia weaves, and fifty-seven different coloured silks.
From here we were lead, crocodile style, to Poliform to view their chic, modern, Italian designed Mondrian furniture. The expansive modular sofa sat in perfect harmony with the dark wood and marble Cosmos tables. The whole set was lit by stunning sculptural ceiling pendants.
At Colefax and Fowler we were given a curated tour of their two new collections; Larsons and Manuel Canovas. The first, a collection of cool colours inspired by nature contrasted sharply to the second, which was a riot of exotic colour combinations inspired by countries linked by the Silk Road.
Front was our next on the trail where we viewed their latest range of flooring which was a collection of rugs with patterns based on those of men’s suits; imagine large scale herringbones and tweeds in soft muted colours.
To round off the Discovery Trail we made our way to Turnell & Gigon where we were immersed by the eclectic British style synonymous with Soho House. Soho Home is a range of fabric, furniture, and accessories, based on the Soho House brand.
Blush pink, greys, and teals, dominated this range of luxurious soft furnishings. Tie-backs, trimmings, and fabric wall-coverings were especially striking.
Laden with gift bags from each of our stops, and dizzy from champagne, I reluctantly said my goodbyes and thankyous and awaited my lift home.
Postscript: Soho Home has opened its first retail space at Liberty London.
