London Design Festival 2019: Focus design show's key talks, new product launches and interiors trends to watch
Our world-class decorators, who kit out five-star hotels, restaurants, members clubs, superyachts and large houses, are spoilt with the amount of brilliant British prints and weaves, distinctive wallpapers, bespoke crafted furniture and lighting at their fingertips.
The Harbour holds the capital’s biggest autumn décorfest. It is a flagship of the London Design Festival (September 14-22).
It’s “trade only” for design professionals from Sunday to Tuesday but anyone can go on the last three days (September 18-20, 10am-6pm).
Entrance costs nothing, with free chauffeured cars for all visitors from the Sloane Square Hotel — just pitch up.
The Harbour’s galleried showrooms are set on four floors beneath three glass domes. It’s fresh and airy, unlike an exhibition hall.
Take lifts or the centrepiece spiral stairs and weave in and out of the shop displays, gathering ideas and samples while talking to experts and enjoying the free drinks.
This is the home of great brands including Cole & Son, Sanderson, Zoffany, Colefax and Fowler, Jane Churchill, Zimmer + Rhode, Rubelli, Pierre Frey, Sahco, GP & J Baker, Warner and umpteen more.
Currently, there’s building work in the Harbour for an ambitious extension. But there will be a Design Arcade, 50ft high, to link the domes to a further big block of brands on the eastern side. There will be a restaurant, and new spaces for the “experiences” and special events.
Newly arrived is metalworker Collier Webb, with an old-established foundry on the south coast for bespoke pieces.
Design Centre Chelsea Harbour is heaven for handles, hinges, rods, finials, tassels, braids, cushions, fringing and more. These bite-sized luxuries can personalise and add that impressive finishing touch.
If you want a guide, the Harbour has one. Book expert Gabrielle Grubanovich to give you a free 20-minute sourcing session; or call 020 7225 9180.
Arts & Crafts aficionados should head to Morris & Co in Style Library (first floor, South Dome). They are the custodians of the Morris archive, now revealing new treasures.
This is the Melsetter portfolio inspired by May Morris, younger daughter of William, and a notable needlewoman.
Some patterns come direct from May’s embroideries or rework patterns she knew and loved. But the star is a three-metre panel of birds and flowerheads, taken from hangings that May herself made for her father’s bed circa 1893.
Browse the pattern books, see block-printing, and take away your own sample.
Archives are the bedrock of many brands, adding provenance and charm.
A book published by textile enthusiast and entrepreneur George Percival Baker in 1921 revealed his passion for “indiennes” — the European printed copies of complicated Indian originals.
Now his legacy finds its way on to GP & J Baker’s Coromandel, with Kashmir paisleys, botanicals and serene scenes, offset by mini-prints and velvets.
This autumn, Focus hosts “pop-ups”, bringing 25 niche brands from all over the capital into one place with imaginative one-off installations.
If you are a maximalist get style inspiration from top decorator Kit Kemp, co-owner and creative director of Firmdale Hotels. Her sophisticated setting for Blithfield has striking new printed linens and weaves.
Have you forever loved Timney Fowler’s cult monochromes? Sue Timney has just updated their iconic look with fresh excursions into black and white.
Patterned carpet “runners” are good for bleak London halls, so go and see the new Stair Art at Alternative Flooring.
Christopher Farr demystifies handmade rugs, with experts from Afghanistan, samples, a loom and a bank of iPads. Also on hand are Ligne Roset furnishings, Pooky Lighting, Little Greene paints, Paint & Paper Library, Gaze Burvill, Staffan Tollgård furniture and Barneby Gates wallpapers.
An events programme has new launches and designer collaborations, plus celebrity meet-ups, craft demos, Harbour tours, and talks/seminars with experts. Browse or download an excellent online booklet.
On your way to Chelsea Harbour visit the glamorous Designers Guild showroom full of great big colour ideas in King’s Road. The store is crammed with looks for the new season.
Now anyone can have a mural, with clever new panels and large-scale wallpapers. Find detailed florals, calming landscapes, tailored geometrics and painterly washes of colour.
The showroom opposite is Osborne & Little, with fresh new prints, weaves and embroideries. Here, Nina Campbell, as ever, gives us calming patterns to live with.
This time, it’s the Ashdown edit, inspired by the famous Sussex forest. Think woodland walks and country gardens, with lots of linen and faded hues.
- Get a free coffee token at the Focus registration desk for the Ground Coffee Society on the third floor in the North Dome at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour. More cafés and bars on the ground floor offer further glamorous pit stops.