Tag: FOCUS/17
Post with the Most
Annamaria Papayova is the winner of Focus/17's Blogging Award, given to the blogger who best captures the spirit and themes of the event. The concept of '360 Degrees of Design' was at the heart of Annamaria's perceptive post (read it here); she covered it all, from Tony Marklew's floral displays to Access All Areas showroom happenings and innovative new launches. The award …
360 Degrees of Floral Fantasy
Tony Marklew's romantic, sensual way with floristry is being felt all over Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour at Focus/17. Dominating the Centre Dome is the DesignScope, featuring tumbling tiers of hops studded with pink and purple hydrangeas. Elsewhere, a single type of flower arranged abundantly proves that simplicity speaks volumes: a new variety of purple hydrangea – never available commercially until …
Right Here, Right Now with Peter Gomez
"I'm constantly surprised at how many different companies, styles, interests and innovations are available, all under one roof," says Zoffany's head of design.
The Inside Track
Focus/17's daily Discovery Tours offer the chance to take in the latest showrooms and get a more personal, curated take on the new collections, all accompanied by knowledgeable concierge Maggie Eccles and a glass of fizz. Six showrooms are visited during the hour-long sessions, including Design Centre East newcomers Villeroy & Boch, Siberian Floors and Lacaze London, and the new …
Right Here, Right Now with Deborah Barker
"The Design Centre fosters the design community; it's very friendly and it always works together," says the editor-in-chief of Homes & Gardens.
Light Lunch
The South Dome Deli is a new meeting and eating point at Focus/17. This all-day-dining destination features a counter packed with mouthwatering salad plates that look as good as they taste, including broad bean, puy lentil, tomato and goat's cheese, and quinoa and roasted vegetables, plus healthy sushi and sashimi. The decor has a similar lightness of touch, with serene …
Right Here, Right Now with Sophie Paterson
"When you get to meet someone face to face, you feel a real connection with them," says the interior designer.
In the Mood for Missoni
The instantly recognisable textiles of Italian brand Missoni have been translated into vinyl wallcoverings, newly available at Brian Yates. Alongside the famous Missoni zig-zags, the collection includes a subtle mini chevron and plenty of florals, including 'Anemones' (pictured, top); some cleverly mimic an embroidered finish. The Brian Yates showroom launched the collection with a collaged moodboard that took up a …
Right Here, Right Now with Lorenzo Castillo
"The Design Centre is one of my favourite places in London – after the Victoria & Albert Museum, of course," says the designer.
Full of Beans
An invigorating – and complimentary – cup of coffee from Vagabond Coffee Roasters is an essential part of a visit to Focus/17. Vagabond sources speciality coffees from around the world, roasting small batches of green beans at its north London HQ: it is made, and served, with love and passion. The company also shared its vast knowledge with a 'coffee cupping' …
Right Here, Right Now with Anna Standish
"The more you come, the more you can benefit from it," says the interior designer about Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour. "It's a one-stop-shop for me."
Every Sense Stimulated
The concept of Focus/17's Sensory Salon is a simple one: to create a calming, regenerative space by stimulating five senses. Artist DD Regalo, represented by ArteMea Advisory, is painting the walls with a meditative piece inspired by life's journey. The undulating ribbon of bright colour "is more than just that cliche of life's ups and downs," he says. "It's more like …
Right Here, Right Now with Kim Wilkie
The landscape designer discusses the future of the country house, and how our homes might be better connected with nature.
Right Here, Right Now with Patrick Frey
The president and creative director of Pierre Frey says that creative collaborations with designers are "like a new recipe".
Tobacco & Tangerine
Look to opposite ends of the colour wheel for a scheme that's harmonious yet invigorating. Dark orange, rich brown and layers of blue are cocooning and autumnal, with bold prints, textured leather and hair-on-hide bringing a feel of 70s sophistication. Main image: (KBVB D15) coffee table, MKV Design at Decca (Bolier). ‘Collage’ wall light, Porta Romana. (SO103) lounge chair, Summit Furniture. ‘Sculpture …
Material Dialogue
These ‘Tenco’ side tables by Porada are a good example of the Italian company’s ability to find the right balance between form and function. For over half a century it has shown commitment to beautiful materials, most notably solid canaletta walnut. Here, the timber is combined with a brushed brass metal base and top – creating a contrast between the …
Right Here, Right Now with Jacky Tsai
The artist talks about his collaboration with Mineheart: "Furniture is one of the best ways that people can see my art in daily life."
A Spectrum of Wellness
With the bathroom now a place of relaxation and leisure, the new bathroom collections from leading brand Villeroy & Boch combine style and comfort to offer a sense of serenity at the end of a long day. Since 1748, this famous German name has stood for timeless elegance, innovative design and outstanding quality. Now, it has opened an expansive showroom …
Right Here, Right Now with William Yeoward
The creative director of William Yeoward on a new book that takes a personal approach to colour, and his love of blue and white.
Designed for Every Sense
Design is about so much more than sight: we engage many more senses when we're taking in an environment, and it's the layering of all of them that creates an emotional connection. Focus/17's intention was to explore a 360-degree approach to design, via a number of Sensory Series Workshops to stimulate and delight. Top chef Tom Aikens cooked up Devon …
Right Here, Right Now with Petra van Meeuwen
"We're very happy to have that direct contact with interior designers, ho bring their customers here to show them what's possible," says Crestron's media relations director about Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour.
Need to Know
Sharing knowledge is a key part of Focus/17. This year KLC School of Design is back, sharing its expertise and discussing hot topics, from lighting design to how to create a layered, sensual home. "Design is constantly changing and developing, and to keep an edge, designers need to keep up to date with trends and find new sources of inspiration," …
Right Here, Right Now with Philip Bershad
"It's a dream come true – to have some of the top designers coming in to discover us is something that we're really excited about," says the president of Phillip Jeffries.
Elle Decoration approved
Arte has launched an exciting collaboration with New York's Flavor Paper. Known for its subversive, pop-art-inspired and generally out-there patterns, Flavor Paper's capsule collection includes 'Snake Bit' (pictured), which updates the traditional horse-bit pattern with a tangle of venomous beasts; 'Sharp Descent', a rain of highly dangerous objects such as scissors and broken bottles; and 'City Park', a damask featuring …
Right Here, Right Now with Ann Sutherland
"We know that the clients are going to be here, and we want to be a part of this community," says the president of Perennials Fabrics, launching Sutherland Perennials Studio at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour.
In the Pink
Queen of the colour wheel, pink symbolises hope and empowerment – but it's also offering lessons in versatility when it comes to interiors. From calm, muted tones that segue into lilac to bubblegum shades that revel in an exuberant colour-clash with other brights, pink has lost its association with girlish prettiness and is embracing a new-found sophistication. Pictured from top …
Right Here, Right Now with Bill Amberg
"The collective power of something is always better than the individual power, and the Design Centre is a testament to that," says the leather studio founder.
Captivating a New Audience
The ever-shrinking boundary between art and interiors is a pertinent subject – but Mark Moussa was way ahead of his time when he christened his firm Arteriors back in 1987. After 30 years, the US company finally has a European base, on the newly redesigned third floor of Design Centre East. “The showroom will feature a mix of our bestselling …
Right Here, Right Now with Michael Ruh
The glassmaker talks about creating "everyday objects of poetic beauty," and the importance of bespoke craft in interiors.
A True Talent
True Velvet is India Mahdavi's lively first fabric collection, for Pierre Frey. The designer describes her work as "pop orientalism", which expresses her worldly upbringing – from Iran to the US and then Europe – and her playful approach. She also has a fabled taste for colour, which shows in True Velvet: the collection features a palette of 25 plains, in …
