Month: September 2015
Traditional with a Twist
Spin the colour wheel at Turnell & Gigon and embrace glorious, contrasting patterns. This season, A-list US decorator Miles Redd presents his first fabric collection exclusively for Schumacher. Few contemporaries embrace colour and pattern quite like the Atlanta-born, New York-based designer. His signature look is richly layered; a playful mix of high and low, invigorated with whimsy, scale and modernity …
Right Here, Right Now with James Chase
Chase Distillery's owner on the pleasures of serving gin to those "at the forefront of creativity".
Rediscover Collage
During Focus/15 stylist Alice King has created a special collage aptly titled ‘Cutting Edge’. Hand-cut and created layer upon layer, it wittily showcases new seasonal designs, while photographic images reflect the Design Centre’s busy atmosphere. There is a decorative coherence about the montage as figurative forms, patterns and colours are orchestrated across the whole surface. The commonplace is awarded the …
Right Here, Right Now with Natalia Higgins
The interior designer on the geological-themed installation she created for FOCUS/15.
Walk of Fame
Megan Hess is an international fashion illustrator who works with some of the most prestigious fashion designers and luxury brands around the world such as Chanel, Dior, Cartier, Rolex, Fendi and Bergdorf Goodman. Take a stroll along the ‘Walk of Fame’ on the third floor and view a curated selection of her designs that reflect her signature style. Megan’s original …
Right Here, Right Now with Stephen Woodhams
FOCUS/15 is"a great resource to find interesting designers and craftsmanship," according to the garden designer.
Blur the Boundaries
Romo's Black Edition brand is known for its rich contemporary look, and its new collection – its first for 18 months – has a striking trend-led aesthetic. Florals in abstract watercolours or ikat-inspired patterns have a soft, diffused look that gives plenty of movement, contrasted with antique crackled effects in striking black and white (pictured is a sofa covered in …
Right Here, Right Now with Christina Roberts
"Focus brings everyone from the design world here," says Christina Roberts of Turnstyle Designs.
A Little Pampering
Visitors to Focus/15 have been discovering their bespoke scents with a pampering hand and arm massage on the third floor. Jo Malone London celebrates British style with unexpected fragrances and the elegant art of gift giving. Refined, crafted from the highest quality ingredients, and always with a touch of the unexpected, Jo Malone London remains at the forefront of perfumery. Each …
Right Here, Right Now with Massimo Minale
Catching up with the founder of Buster + Punch: "There are some great brands here".
Right Here, Right Now with Nicola Burt
"People love the buzz of getting a first look at new products," says the KLC School of Design tutor and designer.
Right Here, Right Now with Ben Spriggs
"I'm a big fan of the Design Centre," says Elle Decoration's deputy editor.
Right Here, Right Now with Gerri Gallagher
"There are so many goodies here – I can't wait to have a look," says the associate editor of Tatler.
Right Here, Right Now with Matteo Bianchi
"You can walk around and get really inspired by the variety – that's what Focus is all about," says the interior and product designer.
Right Here, Right Now with Suzanne Imre
"This is where we get all our ideas for the year ahead," says Livingetc’s editor.
Right Here, Right Now with Jocelyne Sibuet
'Investing emotion in design is the way to create an interior with character', says the French hotelier.
Designs on Fine Food
The North Dome's Tatler restaurant is FOCUS/15's dedicated space for fine food and convivial conversation. Set amid mature potted trees, its curvy walls shelter a central bar and scattered tables, all in this year's signature shade of pale turquoise. Different patterns have been used on the inside and the outside of the walls: on the inside, 'Niumi' (W908/03) by Black Edition …
Right Here, Right Now with Thomas A. Kligerman
The American architect says that the Design Centre is "a wonderful way to stock up on things you might have missed".
The World of Interiors Awards
This year's FOCUS/15 saw the launch of a new award, judged by The World of Interiors, for Collection of the Year. Editor Rupert Thomas toured the showrooms to select one winner and three highly commended places, with the top spot going to Mulberry Home's Bohemian Travels collection, (read more about the collection here). Creative director Ann Grafton picked up the award …
Right Here, Right Now with Melanie Turner
Baker's director of showrooms and stores brings the work of legendary American designers to FOCUS/15.
Home from Home
Turnell & Gigon at Home, the fabric company's pop-up showroom, is proving one of the most head-turning features at FOCUS/15. Styled as a sumptuous drawing room – complete with coffee table books, scented candles and plants – this new concept brings the products to life, helping designers see how fabric and trimmings can work in practice. This creative space showcases …
Right Here, Right Now, with Lorenzo Scisciani
The head of interior design at Andraos Associates on why he loves Gallotti&Radice's products: "They're trendy, and they give that sense of richness."
Right Here, Right Now with Leta Austin Foster
"I like almost any period or any style, so long as it's well done," says the legendary American decorator.
Gems in Glass
Tapping in to the trend for darkly glamorous 1970s style, Bella Figura's 'Diamond' lamps are made in Murano by the same glassworks that originally created similarly chunky, faceted pieces as vases and ashtrays 40 years ago. Each one is hand-blown and then hand-sanded, a process that takes two to three days per piece, but the results are inspiring – heavy …
A Radiant Look
Christopher Guy occupies the largest showroom at the Design Centre, so you would expect it to make an impact with its "uniquely alluring decorative furnishings", as the US brand describes its collections. After a recent remodelling in time for FOCUS/15, the huge space is even more inspiring, with furniture in subdued whites and creams, and dramatic black. The room vignettes – living, dining and …
A Little Oomph
Nina Campbell celebrated her first FOCUS as a showroom owner by launching pieces of furniture that are typical of the designer's ability to come up with elegant yet practical products. Made in collaboration with US brand Oomph, the range includes the 'What Not', a pair of stacking tables that can either form two side tables or a single étagère, and the 'Tini' table, …
Right Here, Right Now with Mauro Nastri
Porada's export director on the importance of having a showroom at the Design Centre: "It gives people a deeper knowledge of our product."
Soft Outlines
Flexform is showcasing a new way to work with leather. The 'Tindari' ottoman, designed by Antonio Citterio, is made from a metal frame with a leather cord woven around it, lending a light, airy look. The ottoman is complemented by two tables in the same collection, with woven leather sides and tabletops in a choice of timbers and marbles. Flexform, Ground Floor, South Dome
Right Here, Right Now with Jon Burgerman
The artist explains how his world of doodles has translated to a fabric collection for Kirkby Design at Romo.
The Cinderella Story
Don your slippers and head to the ball. Add silks, satins and embroidery lend elegance for a happy-ever-after ending. Clockwise from top left:‘Pagoda Garden’ wallcovering (T14209), metallic pewter,Thibaut at Jacaranda Carpets. ‘Dama’ fabric, C & C Milano. ‘Bergman Embroidery’ fabric (AW9127), office white, Anna French at Jacaranda Carpets. ‘Fretwork’ fabric, red, Colefax and Fowler. ‘Gloriole’ fabric (T9046/01), champagne, Weitzner at Altfield. ‘Odisha’ …
On the Road
‘A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step’ said Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu. Be inspired by this sentiment with ‘Trade Routes’, Thibaut’s new collection influenced by handcrafted and primitive techniques from faraway places. Pack your suitcase to see the collection of coordinating wallpaper, print and embroidered fabrics at Jacaranda Carpets. Jacaranda Carpets, First Floor, South Dome
Right Here, Right Now with Nicola Coropulis
Poltrona Frau's global sales & marketing director on the new four-poster bed designed for the Italian brand by Roberto Lazzeroni.
Design Date – Megan Hess
Megan Hess is one of the most in-demand international fashion illustrators, and has worked with luxury brands including Chanel, Dior, Fendi, Rolex, Cartier and Bergdorf Goodman. For Focus/15 she brought her talents to the Design Centre with a specially commissioned illustration. This artwork, along with others from her portfolio, is on display on the Walk of Fame on the third …
Right Here, Right Now with Peter Phan
"I find everything I need here": interior designer Peter Phan sings the praises of the Design Centre.
Geology Lesson
With jewel tones and semi-precious stones on trend for autumn, the Design Centre's installation brings together both concepts within a mesmerising aerial artwork for the Centre Dome. Specially commissioned for Focus/15 and created by interior designer and stylist Natalia Higgins, 'Strata Sky' consists of a series of huge suspended slices of turquoise agate, bringing the beauty of nature into an urban environment. Working in …
Right Here, Right Now with Claudia Baillie
The Sunday Times Style interiors editor thinks that "Focus is the ultimate time to come" to the Design Centre.
Right Here, Right Now with Liz Galbraith
Textile designer Liz Galbraith launches new rugs with Holland & Sherry: "London has a really strong textile tradition – it's always really inspiring to come here".
Right Here, Right Now with Nina Campbell
The designer introduces us to her new showroom in Design Centre East.
Right Here, Right Now with Broosk Saib
"London means the Design Centre for us now," says interior design Broosk Saib.
Right Here, Right Now with Robin Klingensmith
The designer reveals new work for Hodsoll McKenzie: "There's nothing more satisfying than presenting your collection to your customer."
Bespoke Flowers Bring Beauty to the Design Centre
Neil Burke of NB Flowers' displays at this year's FOCUS/15 were designed to complement the show's colour trend for autumn 2015 – jewel-like tones of teal and turquoise, the colour of semi-precious stones such as agate. He presented huge sprays of white delphiniums, arranged in vessels painted in an ombré colour fade from white to pale turquoise, placed next to silvery-blue festuca glauca and …
Patchwork Patterns
‘Dessiner’, meaning to draw in French, perfectly describes a new tile collection from Ann Sacks. Created by Parisian artist Inga Sempé, their patterns look like hand-drawn scores and scratches, bringing a subtle artistry to its porcelain portfolio. Available in three different options – solid field, decorative field and decorative blends – they can be used singularly or combined for an on-trend patchwork look. Ann …
Right Here, Right Now with Simon Leadsford
Condé Nast Traveller's publishing director says that the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour has "built a reputation for being a creative forum for excellence".
On the Wing
It’s all change at Wired Custom Lighting, with spectacular new pieces being installed in time for Focus/15. Tapping into the trend for feathers, ‘Plume’ is a swirling mass of illuminated resin feathers that creates a dynamic sculptural effect. Wired Custom Lighting, Second Floor, Centre Dome
Banksy at FOCUS/15
The owner of the building in Bethlehem was bemused when people crowded round his wall. But art aficionados had spotted Banksy’s signature alert on his website of his latest work, ’Donkey Documents’. Banksy created it in 2007 with an aerosol can, as part of a series of works of art along the concrete barrier separating the Palestinian West Bank and …
London Calling
London is a complex city and vibrant melting pot. With its high concentration of design, fashion, music and film, it is considered one of the world’s leading creative hubs. All these things make for exciting, new design ideas. FOCUS/15 is proud to be a Design Destination at this year’s London Design Festival. The annual event promotes the city's creativity, drawing …
Marvellous Minerals
Geological elements are on the style radar this season. Marbled fabrics abound, including those from Nobilis and Jonathan Adler at Kravet. Kallista takes it one step further: its ‘Per Se’ basin taps have semi-precious inserts such as malachite and lapis lazuli for a thoroughly luxurious look. See them at Ann Sacks. Ann Sacks, First Floor, Centre Dome
Right Here, Right Now with Francis Terry
Architect Francis Terry talks about classicism following his Conversation in Design at FOCUS/15.
Right Here, Right Now with Richard Smith
Designer Richard Smith explains how he has taken the latest No.9 Thompson collection in a more formal direction.
Artistic Experience
Contemporary art is increasingly becoming experiential, where you, the viewer, has a say in how a piece appears. Two artworks by Dominic Harris at FOCUS/15 illustrate this perfectly. 'Flutter' (pictured, outside the Design Club on the third floor), captures a butterfly on the wing in sequence. As the viewer moves along the piece, the butterflies respond in various ways, with movement that …
