Creative Expression
Curated spaces with the showrooms are some of the highlights of Focus/19: they show off the new season’s collections, seen through the eyes of leading interior designers. For example, Hill House Interiors has created a space within Arteriors’ showroom (pictured top) as part of the US brand’s ongoing Designer Interpretations series. Styled as a glamorous bar area with a tented ceiling, Hill House Interiors’ Helen Bygraves says that a trip to Marrakech was the starting point. “We wanted to make an impact,” she says. “With a tented ceiling you feel cosseted and protected, and it’s just a really nice entertaining space that could work in a hospitality environment or a home.” The scheme includes new additions to Arteriors’ portfolio, such as the vellum-fronted ‘Salotto’ cabinet by Frank Ponterio, as well as best-selling classics like the curvy ‘Turner’ sofa.
Elsewhere, Suzy Hoodless designed a comfortable office at GP & J Baker (pictured centre), with the new ‘Rio’ velvet, a sumptuous patchwork ikat, wrapping the walls and ‘Petropolis’ velvet upholstering two clubby armchairs. Zingy green skirting boards, mid-century furniture and contemporary photography bring the expressive, eclectic look that Hoodless is known for.
Nina Campbell has restyled her ‘Nina’s Apartment’ showroom concept, with a hallway, dining, living space and a games table. the ‘Fitzgerald’ bar cabinet (pictured bottom) is part of the designer’s mission to bring back ‘brown’ furniture – and it’s done in style, with a vibrant green interior and a hidden fridge in the lower section of the cabinet.
Arteriors, Third Floor, Design Centre East
GP & J Baker, Ground Floor Design Centre East
Nina Campbell, Ground Floor Design Centre East
