100+ Free Events to Explore at Focus/25 on Design

BOOST YOUR SKILLS

• Learn how to specify bespoke rugs at Jacaranda Carpets & Rugs (Monday 15 September, 1pm)
• Join bespoke lighting experts from A Shade Above, who are teaming up with Houlès to present ideas for using trimmings on decorative lampshades (Tuesday 16 September, 12pm)
• Custom furniture-makers The House Upstairs will be in the Fox Linton showroom, explaining how upholstered furniture creates rooms that are comfortable, considered and cohesive (Wednesday 17 September, 12pm)

PLUS: You’ll also love the main-stage Conversations in Design talk, hosted by ELLE Decoration: Capitalise on Your Strengths features Run for The Hills’s Anna Burles, House of Grey’s Louisa Grey and 1882’s Emily Johnson talking to editor-in-chief Ben Spriggs about how to stand out in a crowded marketplace. Book a ticket

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EXPLORE THE FUSION OF ART & DESIGN

• Celebrate Baobab at Cole & Son with an installation of the Ardmore ceramic art that inspired the South African brand’s wildlife-rich new collection (Monday 15 September, 11.30am, and Tuesday 16 September, 2.30pm)
• Join artist Jan Erika and Julian Chichester’s CEO Jodie Hopkins in a conversation about how boldness in interiors and art can come together in harmony (Tuesday 16 September, 10.45am)
• At Fox Linton, see live demos and a Q&A with artists Stephanie Tuckwell and Niki Hare from artist-driven wallcovering company Area Environments (Tuesday 16 September, 11am – 1pm)
• See a live painting demonstration from Imogen Pleydell-Bouverie at House Guest Box Galleries, where she will discuss her process and showcase her array of materials (Thursday 18 September, 11am – 2pm)
• Visit new Fifth Floor showroom Cobogó Gallery for a special guided tour of its exhibition dedicated to Brazilian master Ivan Moraes (Friday 19 September, 4pm)

PLUS: Hear how an interior designer at the top of her game brings an artistic sensibility to every project. As part of Conversations in Design, Rachel Chudley talks to Talib Choudhry, the new editor of House & Garden, for Design Wonderland (Tuesday 16 September, 3pm). Book a ticket

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GET A BATHROOM BRIEFING

• Head to House of Rohl for the launch of Victoria + Albert’s ‘Kerid’ bath accompanied by a calming sound bath experience (Tuesday 16 September, 11am)
• At Ca’ Pietra Artisans, Livingetc‘s Pip Rich is in conversation with Jojo Barr (House Nine Design), Paris Albert (1508 London) and the Ca’ Pietra design team, talking about the role of texture, layering and tone in creating elevated, experiential bathrooms (Tuesday 16 September, 1pm)
• Join interior designer Manuela Hamilford in the Samuel Heath showroom for a presentation exploring bathroom design through materiality, finish selection and specification (Tuesday 16 September, 10am, and Wednesday 17 September, 1pm)
• Drop in to ABI Interiors for a daily moodboard masterclass, featuring the brand’s latest Nesso collection (Monday 15 – Friday 19 September, 10 am -–1pm)

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GROW YOUR PASSION FOR PATTERN

• Delve into the joy of small-scale pattern with designer Sean Symington and GP & J Baker’s Ann Grafton, talking to Country & Town House‘s Carole Annett about their exciting new collaboration (Monday 15 September, 12pm)
• Go on an east-meets-west journey with Zimmer + Rohde‘s Stefan Gabel and Ardecora’s Katharina Schmitter, discovering the inspiration behind two new collections (Wednesday 17 September, 2pm)
• Discover the Fabricut family of brands at Fabricut London, including Stroheim, S Harris and Vervain, and explore their latest collections (Wednesday 17 September, 2pm)
• Join Turnell & Gigon‘s Colin Temple for breakfast and a journey into pattern and colour, discussing pattern-on-pattern styling and unexpected colour pairings (Tuesday 16 September, 10.30am)

PLUS: You won’t want to miss Mix, Match and Master: The Art of Pattern, part of Conversations in Design on the main stage, with Nathan Turner, designer and special projects editor at Architectural Digest; Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler’s Chloe Willis and Cole & Son’s Marie Karlsson (Wednesday 17 September, 6pm). Book a ticket

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TRY SOME HANDS-ON CREATIVITY

• At Bella Figura, practice the ancient Japanese art of kintsugi by delicately reforming an alabaster piece with gold-infused lacquer (Monday 15 September, 11am, and Tuesday 16 September, 10.30am)
• Join a hands-on workshop at Loom Furniture and learn how to apply an antique brass finish to a coaster – then take it home with you (Monday 15 September, Wednesday 17 September and Friday 19 September, 11am)
• THG Paris and Cole & Son are teaming up for a workshop inspired by the former’s Daum ‘Rose’ design, where you can craft your own floral masterpiece in layered wallpaper (Monday 15 September, 1.30pm – 4.30pm)
• Try your hand at decorating a Lincrusta wallcovering, using a variety of paint finishes and techniques (Tuesday 16 September, 11.30am)
• Be inspired by Casamance‘s bold patterns and vibrant colours at a candle-painting workshop (Tuesday 16 September, 3.30pm)
• Pant your own tiles with guidance from Ca’ Pietra Artisans‘ resident artist Aaron Hammond (Wednesday 17 September, 1pm)

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PERFECT THE FINISHING TOUCHES

• Join Wendy Morrison in conversation with guest Pearl Lowe as they explore their mutual love of styling interiors with antiques and vintage pieces (Monday 15 September, 10.30am)
• Marvel at a live demonstration of passementerie and meet renowned passementerie designer Wendy Cushing at Jason D’Souza (Monday 15 September, 1pm)
• Livingetc interior stylist Hannah Frankin moderates a discussion at Arteriors about luxury, as seen through the eyes of interior designers, the brand and press (Monday 15 September, 3.30pm)
• At Schumacher, delve into the history of the swag and find out how these striking curtains are more than mere window dressings, alongside interior designer Lucy Cunningham and Country Life‘s Giles Kime (Tuesday 16 September, 2pm)
• Enjoy a hands-on bedroom styling session with House Guest Christy and learn how to elevate your space with mix-and-match layers and curated textures (Thursday 18 September, 1pm)
• Explore new floristry techniques with florist Gaia Eros, talking to Watts 1874‘s CEO Marie-Séverine de Caraman Chimay (Tuesday 16 September, 12.30pm)

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HONE IN ON HOSPITALITY

• Porada hosts a session to demystify procurement: learn how to make projects run smoothly with advice from an expert panel (Tuesday 16 September, 11.30am)
• Discover more about Thesign, a new brand to the Chase Erwin showroom, including what defines a true contract fabric and the art of achieving performance and durability without compromising elegance (Tuesday 16 September, 1.30pm)
• Shepel’ puts fabrics in focus with a boutique hotel design masterclass led by founder and principal designer Alex Shepel (Thursday 18 September, 4.30pm)
• At StudioTex, see Luum Textiles’ contract fabrics, made from garment waste, brought back to life as Luum’s Manjeet Upple reupholsters an old chair in the showroom (Tuesday 16 September, 4pm and Wednesday 17 September, 3pm)

PLUS: Reserve your spot at The Journey of Design, part of Conversations in Design on the main stage, hosted by Harper’s Bazaar. Luke Edward-Hall, Belmond’s Richard McCready-Hughes, Albion Nord’s Ben Johnson and Rubelli’s Nicolò Favaretto Rubelli talk about the remarkable interiors of Belmond’s new Britannic Explorer train (Monday 15 September, 3pm). Book a ticket