LDW 2019 Highlights

Attending London Design Week (LDW) never fails to inspire. From the romantic, opulent, to the downright quirky.

Here are some of my OMG moments…..

Showrooms

There was nothing low key or understated in the Turnell & Gigon at Home showroom. Inspired by “The Great Gatsby” and orchestrated by designer Katharine Pooley there was not a single ostrich feather or crystal out of place.

Audrey Hepburn was the inspiration for Perrin & Rowe’s window. Created by floral designers Studio Sorores it’s a scene that is reminiscent of summer, romance, and glamour.

This quirky collection of wall coverings by Cole & Son immediately transported me to a fantastic dream world.

Set against the backdrop of a city loft apartment, Trevor Wilson, of the Beaufort Collection, explored the ins and outs of window dressing designs and styles.

Handmade, with the most extraordinary attention to detail, Beaufort’s range of soft-furnishings add a touch of luxury to residential and commercial interiors alike.

News flash

Just by coincidence I arrived at StudioTex as proprietor, Stephen Doughty, was unpacking a brand new range of HBF fabrics.

Eager to share he quickly laid out the colour-ways for these geometric patterned textiles, “Moving Forward” and “Caddy Corner”.

Amidst the rushing around I did manage to sneak into two of the scheduled workshops.

Workshops

At Baker, on the First Floor of the South Dome, Nicola Burt of KLC School of Design, presented a comprehensive guide to decluttering. This was a timely reminder that the 2019 40 Bags in 40 Days™ Decluttering Challenge runs from March 6th until April 20th.

Over in Design Centre East, Kay Chattun, co-founder and creative director of Lacaze presented a masterclass covering the fundamentals and processes of upholstery. Covering everything from materials, to fire treatment, to ergonomics this was a compelling talk.

TALK

The end of the day brought one final treat and that was the launch of Kit Kemp’s new book; Design Thread.

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“The secret is to select an interior you want to live with forever” – Kit Kemp

The hour long talk by Kit Kemp transported the audience through the pages of this tome; a colourful, textural world of private homes and exclusive hotels.

Each interior punctuated with quirky finds to ensure a truly original design.

A love of folklore and a collaboration with artisans is evident in these interiors.

Listening to this lady speak was truly inspiring and reinforced my love of colour and a sense of fun.

I hope you’re enjoyed my reflections of LDW 2019