New Threads

One of the Design Centre's longest-standing showrooms has had a substantial redesign: explore the new-look Zimmer + Rohde here

Zimmer + Rohde holds a special place in the hearts of many Design Centre visitors, having been a fixture here since the 1990s. Now, the family-run business has invested significantly in a showroom refurbishment, working with Austrian interior designer Theresa Obermoser (pictured below).

Obermoser’s concept for the space was inspired by British history and the classic Victorian townhouse, expressed in details such as the decorative cornice and the window treatments. There’s a touch of Savile Row to the large table that displays sample books, with its rich timber and an inlaid top of tactile faux suede.

Groups of comfortable furniture invite people to stay a while (expect the upholstery of the hero pieces to change as new collections are launched), plus there’s a round meeting table that’s perfect for client meetings, and a larger conference room behind the scenes for a more private setting if required. Fellow Design Centre showrooms have lent pieces to the space, including Corston, Julian Chichester and Arteriors. The window treatments are subtly different to demonstrate a range of different styles.

Fabrics are now arranged in a more logical way, with textiles from across the Zimmer + Rohde portfolio (Zimmer + Rohde itself, plus Travers, Etamine, Ado, Ardecora and Hodsoll McKenzie, each with its own distinctive character). Upholstery-weight textiles are all in one place; sheers are also grouped together; and there’s a special section for the latest collections, for visitors who love to make a beeline for what’s new.

The fabric drops themselves are more substantial, to give more of an idea of how they will work in the real world – they can even be unhooked from the rack so you can spread them out flat, or see how they pool on the floor. There’s also now much more space dedicated to trimmings.

“This is our flagship showroom in Europe and the gateway to international projects – from here, we cater to the world,” says showroom manager Cier Dickson. “We see a return on investment with our physical space, and it’s also so important to participate in something bigger at the Design Centre, being a part of its event calendar, and keeping our finger on the pulse.”