A Painterly Approach
Richard Smith spent a career designing for some of the world's best-known fabric and wallpaper studios before setting up his own brand, Madeaux, in 2011. His latest Samarkand collection is typically vibrant and eclectic.
A Different Facet
With their luxuriously weighty quality, and glowing colours, Bella Figura’s ‘Diamond’ lamps are one of the lighting company's most beloved products. They are made in the glassblowing centre of Italy, Murano, and have a heritage steeped in family tradition, craftsmanship and artisan skill.
Trail of Talent
A galaxy of talented people are showing off their skills at Artefect, giving visitors a deeper understanding of the stories and techniques behind the craft, and connecting directly with makers.
Gallery Highlights: Perfectly Imperfect
With our world becoming increasingly digital, some of the most compelling objects to be found at Artefact are those that look obviously hand-made, from dripping glazes to uneven textiles, possessing a tactility that we cannot enjoy in the same way looking at them on a screen.
Decorative Nature
As part of Artefact, the Design Centre's first contemporary craft fair, Colony has partnered with online gallery Objekti to show some eye-catching ceramics from Mexico in its showroom window.
Gallery Highlights: Elevating Materials
While many stalwart craft disciplines are represented at Artefact, other makers are forging their own path with materials not usually associated with the decorative arts, including paper, plastic and wax.
Hand-weaving from Laos
"Nowhere had we seen such intricate patterns and skilled weaving before": Daniel Marcus, co-founder and CEO of Soie de Lune, explains how Lao silk-weaving stole his heart.
Gallery Highlights: International Makers
Artefact's galleries present a global outlook of craft, with makers from all over the world coming together in one magnificent space in the Design Avenue, cementing Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour's role as a world-renowned hub of design. Delve into the craftsmanship of other countries here, and see how talented makers are upholding traditions that are sometimes centuries old, while forging …
Where There’s a Wall
Arte's 'Camber' wallcovering, made from capiz shells, ably demonstrates the artisan approach that the company takes for every collection. Discover here how it gets from the sea to the wall.
The Stamp of Approval
Schumacher has an ethos for joyful, uplifting colour and pattern that is a match made in heaven with British textile designer Molly Mahon's hand-block prints. Her latest collection, for the brand, Greencombe, is a celebration of verdant English gardens and wild flowers.
A Millennia of Knowhow
Aït Manos is the go-to Moroccan tile manufacturer for designers all over the world. An outstanding example of craftsmanship, its traditional zellige tiles are made in Casablanca by sixth- and seventh-generation artisans.
The Ripple Effect
Two new collections from Davidson London are inspired by earth and space, with Abstract's clean lines coming from contemporary architecture and Starlight's rippled surface taken from galactic filaments
Superior Skills
For Porta Romana's Andrew Hills, the company's Surrey workshop is its beating heart. Take a tour and discover some new products and the craftsmanship behind them.
Accessories All Areas
Interest in home decorating has never been higher, which is perhaps why Arteriors has recently seen a rise in sales of its accessories. With this in mind, the showroom has put together a range of 31 key pieces, launched as part of London Design Week 2021.
The New Nordic
Tollgård regularly adds to the roster of international brands in its showroom, and has recently introduced two leading names in Nordic furniture design.
Fresh From the Foundry
SA Baxter Design Studio & Foundry's latest collections show the power of collaboration, and what happens when incredible manufacturing skills meet the creative mind of an interior designer.
A Decadent Age
Launched in celebration of Mulberry Home’s 30th year anniversary, Long Weekend is an eclectic collection of prints, stripes, embroidery and velvets that embodies the spirit of the decadent and flirtatious English house parties of the 1920s and 1930s.
A Complement to Nature
Outdoor furniture and fabrics are where technical innovation meets imaginative design. From a design perspective, these are exciting times for those looking to create a garden, terrace, yacht sundeck or poolside with personality and soul.
Wild Thing
Made in David Hunt Lighting's Cotswolds workshop, this 'Panther' light is perfect for interiors in need of some unabashed glamour.
Good on Paper
US stationery company Caspari sells some of the most chic paper goods on the market. Now, it has brought its eye for pattern and colour to interiors, in a collaboration with Pierre Frey.
Designer Loves: Alidad
Looking ahead to London Design Week 2021, Alidad selects his preferred products for the new season.
Designer Loves: Staffan Tollgard
Staffan Tollgård curates a selection of products from the showrooms' latest collections, and reveals which colour he returns to time and again.
Designer Loves: David Collins Studio
Roslyn Keet of David Collins Studio selects her wish-list of preferred products from the spring/summer 21 collections in the showrooms.
Meet the Showroom: Circa Lighting
"It is where all the designers go to shop": A Q&A with Circa Lighting's founder Gale SInger, celebrating the US lighting brand's first international showroom opening at the Design Centre in London.
Designer Loves: Juliette Byrne
Juliette Byrne chooses some favourite products from the spring/summer 21 collections, and also explains why green is her colour of the moment – both literally and symbolically.
Meet the Showroom: Studio Franchi
After a 13-year absence from the Design Centre, hardware specialist Studio Franchi is back, with a new space in Design Centre North. Here, the brand's Ben Marshall explains why you should add the showroom to your next sourcing trip.
Designer Loves: Tim Gosling
Tim Gosling selects an edit of products from the latest collections, and explains why choosing colours is not just about picking a favourite.
Bloomsbury Reimagined
The distinctive aesthetic of the Bloomsbury Group is the basis for George Spencer Designs' latest Sussex collection of wallpapers – and in particular Charleston, the South Downs farmhouse that served as the group's rural hideaway.
Designer Loves: HBA Residential
Anoushka Almeida of HBA Residential selects her edit of spring/summer 21 products from the showrooms – and reveals the colour she is obsessing over right now.
Carpet of Contrasts
Stark Carpet has added two collections of flatwoven rugs to its portfolio. Corsa fizzes with energy from its rainbow of hues, while Carbon takes a monochrome approach, finding creative expression in the contrast between black and white.
