It's our Interior Design Magazine!
The hottest interior design ideas, fab finds for the home and buying advice. We're always looking for new finds, designers to feature or anything else lovely for the home, so if you've seen something gorgeous and would like it featured in our interior design magazine, please get in touch!
Quick Shop: Magazine Racks
Say Hello! to our pick of the best magazine racks.
No matter what it is you’re into, whether it’s home interiors, cars, fashion, celebrity gossip or something a tad more obscure, there are magazines to satisfy your interest.
And, if you’re anything like me, they will be scattered all round your home.
Here at Furnish we have a wide selection of stylish magazine racks, all ideal for keeping your mags under control and allowing you to wave goodbye to clutter. These include the curvy Legnoart Ebony Wood Magazine Holder from Gifts with Style or, for something a bit quirkier, the Cowhide Magazine Holder from London Cows.
(Clockwise from top) Cowhide Magazine Holder – Mag 01 from London Cows, £79, Wirehouse Magazine Rack from Lifestyle Bazaar, £39.95, Legnoart Ebony Wood Magazine Holder from Gifts with Style, £84.95, Driade Omero Magazine Holder from A White Room, £223, News Magazine Rack from Dutch by Design, £12.50, Panama Folding Magazine Rack from Alexander and Pearl, £150.
Quick Shop: Espresso Cups
Enjoy a perfect caffeine hit with our pick of the best espresso cups.
When you need a quick pick-me-up there are few things better than a small hot cup of strong coffee. We have a great selection of espresso cups allowing you to serve your shot in style.
From the simple but beautiful Pair of Menu Espresso Cups from Gifts with Style to the romantic Guzzini Love Espresso Cups from Red Candy we have designs to suit every taste and mood.
There are even espresso cups to make you smile while your coffee wakes you up, such as the Moustache Espresso cup from Lifestyle Bazaar or the Set of Scrabble Espresso Cups-C,A,F,E from Graham & Green.
(Clockwise from top) Set of Scrabble Espresso Cups-C,A,F,E from Graham & Green, £24.95, Pair of Menu Espresso Cups from Gifts with Style, £24.95, Moustache Espresso cup from Lifestyle Bazaar, £16.95, Entomo Espresso cup & saucer from Lifestyle Bazaar, £65, Guzzini Love Espresso Cups with Saucers from Red Candy, £29.70, LSA Zanzi Espresso Cup & Saucer from Occa Home, £9.50.
Quick Shop: Herb Pots
Get green fingered this spring with our pick of the best herb pots.
With the dull and rainy weather evident, there’s no better time for some indoor gardening using the best herb pots to plant your produce.
The Herdy Herb Pot from Heal’s looks cute on the worktop and makes planting herbs fun, even for little ones! While the Orla Kiely Herb Pot from Bloomsbury would look stylish inside or outside, filled with coriander or basil.
(Clockwise from top) Large Herb Pot from Garden Trading, £9, Herdy Herb Pot from Heal’s, £23, 3 Herb Pots on a Tray from Garden Trading, £18, Orla Kiely Herb Pot from Bloomsbury, £27.95, Herb from Garden Beet, £28, Herb Pot Selfwatering Dark 13cm from 95% Danish, £38.
Colour Fix: Yellow
Bring some spring sunshine into your home with our pick of yellow furnishings.
Give your home a touch of mellow yellow with these gorgeous accessories which are perfect for bringing spring inside.
The Small Glass Vase in Yellow from The Contemporary Home is a great accessory for any room in the house and will look fab holding daffodils and contrasting tulips. While the Guzzini Yellow Bread Bin from Gifts With Style will bring a zing of bright, lemon yellow to your kitchen.
(Clockwise from top) Small Glass Vase in Yellow from The Contemporary Home, £6.99, Yellow Round Sea Tray from Caroline Mcgrath, £29.95, Guzzini Yellow Bread Bin from Gifts With Style, £37.95, Ferm Living Bird Leaves Printed Silk Cushion Yellow from Heal’s, £84, Retro Yellow Armchair from Lover’s lounge, £399.99, Orla Kiely Small Salad Bowl from Graham & Green, £25.
Quick Shop: Lampshades
Add that wow factor to your home with a stylish lampshade
Trying to perfect lighting in a room can be tedious. But if you’re looking for that finishing touch to add some style to your home then investing in a trendy lampshade can be a great solution.
Ranging from beautifully intricate to cool and ecletic, you are sure to find the right style for you.
Why not opt for the gorgeous Traditional Lampshade Cluster Light from Rockett St George?
Colourful and stylish, it’s sure to be the talking point of any room. Or add a touch of romance to your bedroom with the White Leafy Pendant Lampshade from The Contemporary Home. Whatever you choose, you can guarantee your lighting will be far from dull.
Sillhouette Chandelier Lampshade (black), £45, from Duffy London, Orla Kiely Tulip Print Drum Lampshade Olive, £88, from Heal’s, Innermost Marble Felt Pendant Shade, £175, from Found Home Store, Moooi Random Black Pendant Lampshade, £432, from Occa Home, White Leafy Pendant Lampshade, £23.99, from The Contemporary Home, Traditional Lampshade Cluster Light – 9 Lamp Shades, £275, from Rockett St George.
Quick Shop: Coloured Furniture
Brighten up your home with some coloured furniture.
Why restrict colour in your home to accessories when you can experiment with colourful furniture? Here at Furnish, we’ve picked the best, brightly coloured furniture that is sure to make a bold impression in your home.
The Gaga Pink Console Table from The French Bedroom Company, is great for injecting some feminine fun into any room. Or maybe you fancy a pop of colour in your living room, with this 2010 Flow Sofa by Kay + Stemmer from Heal’s. Whatever you choose, your home is sure to be bright and welcoming with these vivid furnishings.
(Clockwise from top) 2010 Flow sofa by Kay + Stemmer, from Heal’s £2595, Georgia yellow cardboard sideboard, from Fashion for Home £149, Eames style daw chair, green, from Zazous £79.99, Toddler bedside table – jolly red, from Great Little Trading Company £36, Armstrong sofa, from Lockwood Design £1900, Gaga pink console table, from The French Bedroom Company £445-£495.
French Bulldog Cushion from The French Bedroom Company
Add some canine chic to your scheme with this French Bulldog Cushion from The French Bedroom Company. £70
I am the first to admit that my dog obssesion is getting out of hand. I mean, if I see a dog when I am out and about, I can’t resist giving it a smile, a pat and cooing at it like it’s a new born baby.
In fact, I’m more interested in dogs than new born babies.
If I happen to go past Battersea Dogs Home at exercise time, I come over all giddy and during a bus journey the other day shared with a Burmese Mountain puppy I was beside myself with excitement.
Sadly, getting a dog is off the cards (landlord is mean, I am away too much, the other half works long hours – the list goes on) but that doesn’t mean I can’t look!
As such, I’m also obsessed with dog-inspired interiors which is why I love this French Bulldog Cushion from The French Bedroom Company.
The front shows the gorgeous portrait of a French Bulldog while the back shows the rear view. I love that they’ve chosen to use a houndstooth check and the background too.
Perfect for livening up a plain sofa, it makes the perfect gift for a dog lover like me!
Interview with Tom Faulkner
We talk to contemporary furniture designer Tom Faulkner.
We recently caught up with Tom Faulkner, a designer of contemporary handmade custom furniture, who is based between Chelsea and Swindon. Tom started working in steel in the early nineties, producing original pieces of distinctive metal furniture. Creative metalwork is still a distinctive feature in Tom’s designs today, coupled with a strong focus on simplicity of line and proportion. We love the meticulous workmanship and attention to detail of Tom Faulkner designs, so we grilled Tom to find out more about the creative processes of his design team and what we can expect from his studio in the future.
How would you describe Tom Faulkner designs in three words?
Distinctive, Elegant, Simple.
Do you have an all time favourite designer or design?
Brno chair by Mies van der Rohe is one of my favourites.
What does a typical day in the studio involve?
I divide my time between the showroom, the workshop and my home. The showroom is our office so I’m often doing business things there or meeting clients etc. I design at home and in the workshop, generally doing drawings and CAD work at home, and working with prototypes and any commissions we might be working in the workshop. If I’m working on a new design I always like to draw the elevations at life size, and then I’ll transfer it to the computer or I’ll get the guys in the workshop to do a rough mock and we’ll take it from there. A lot of the design comes in the making I find.
Since you first began working in steel in the early nineties have you undertaken any ambitious bespoke projects, if so what did they involve?
We do all sorts of things, but try not to wander too far off piste! We recently made a 4m Capricorn table for some Russian clients. It had a twin pedestal base, in hand polished stainless steel, which was quite a challenge.
What has been the bestselling design at Tom Faulkner, and why do you think this is?
Our Capricorn dining table is our best seller. It is extremely unusual and very striking, it’s very simple (although not to make!). It has classical lines and proportions and yet it is still contemporary. In polished stainless steel it is a real work of art! It is the design we are best known for, and it seems to always deliver.
What can we expect to see from Tom Faulkner in the near future?
We are adding a lot of wood and marble to our collection (in terms of table tops). We are also adding lots of new finishes to the metalwork.
Quick Shop: Chaise Longue
Luxuriate and relax in style this winter with a sleek and trendy Chaise Longue
As the winter is approaching in all its cold misery, we all look for home comforts to get cosy and relax in and what better way then to indulge this season in a luxuriously comforting Chaise Longue.
Cosy up in the lavishly chic Deauville Velvet Silver Chaise Longue, with its soft velvet texture, it will make the coldest of homes toasty. Or if your looking for a real style statement to brighten up your home, opt for the gorgeously contemporary Lime/Pink Stripe Chaise, with its unusual curvaceous shape and rich tonal stripes it’s guaranteed to bring effortless style to your home.
Ritz Lime/Pink Stripe Chaise, £1,404, from The Pole House, Deauville Velvet Silver Chaise Lounge, £425, from The Lover’s Lounge, Eichholtz Chaise Lounge Grey Linen, £1,140.50, from Occa Home, Carmen White Chaise Lounge, £1,959, from Fashion For Home, Corbusier Cow Hide Chaise Lounge, £1,215, from The Pole House, Stone Striped Chaise Lounge, £1,103, from Sweetpea and Willow.
Shop The Trend: Animal Prints
Take a walk on the wild side this season with the sassy trend of Animal Print
Ranging from leopard print footstools to cow hide magazine racks, the ever-growing stylish trend of animal print is guaranteed to bring a splash of glamour and animalistic playfulness to the most polished of homes.
This sassy trend work well by adding small key pieces into a space to allow a great mix of texture and warmth. The Union Jack Square Leopard Print Cushion proves a perfect statement piece and will add a splash of classy glamour to any home. Or if your looking to fully embrace the saucy trend, opting for large oversized pieces such as the Tricolour Cowhide rug will work perfectly on any flooring, to create depth and warmth within your home.
Leopard Print Footstool, £445, from London Cows, Zebra Throw, £185.50, from Occa Home, Jan Constantine Union Jack Square Leopard Print, £82, from Occa Home, Tricolour Cowhide, £295, from The French Bedroom Company, Cowhide Magazine Holder, £79, from London Cows, Flora Cow Skin Coffee Table, £395, from Graham & Green.
Interview with Rockett St George
We find out what’s in store for the coming months at Rockett St George
Rockett St George is a fabulous décor brand, established in 2006, which offers a wonderfully eclectic mix of contemporary homeware and gifts. Known for their endlessly appealing range of items that are both beautiful and useful, there is truly something for every room of the house. We caught up with the ladies behind the brand, Jane and Lucy, to find out what we can expect from Rockett St George in the coming months.
How would you describe Rockett St George in three words?
Unique, useful, beautiful.
Do you have an all time favourite designer or design?
Mother nature has to win hands down and the Shell is by far our favourite design (or maybe the feather!).
How was the company founded?
We both love car boot sales. It is the perfect learning ground to find great products within a sea of other stuff. As fellow booters we began to sell what we bought. We then realised that we made a great team and decided to start rockettstgeorge.co.uk in 2006.
How are pieces sourced for Rockett St George?
We find our products in all sorts of places. We do go to show and exhibitions in the UK and across Europe. We also go to antique fairs, craft fairs and open studios. We are also approached by lots of designers, which we love.
Has there been a bestselling piece at Rockett St George, and why do you think this is?
Probably the best seller of all time has to be the Set of 6 Butterfly Prints. They are a classic image, pretty and affordable. The perfect combination!
What is your favourite piece?
Jane: mine changes all the time. I am very fickle and tend to love whatever is new.
Lucy: I love the birdcage memo board. It is beautiful, timeless and very useful.
What can we expect to see from Rockett St George in the near future?
We have just sourced the most fabulous wall/door covering which will transform a boring door to a gorgeous french design. Very exciting!
Quick Shop: Umbrella Stands
Store your umbrella in style this autumn in a trendy, chic umbrella stand
With the temperamental weather upon us, there is an easy solution to store your umbrellas and keep the entrance to your house looking proud, welcoming and most vitally – de cluttered!
Using an umbrella stand is a wonderfully stylish way to free up space and can make for a great style piece within your home. Whether your look is daring and bold or clean and simple, there are many styles to suit all homes and to suit a whole host of umbrellas!
Magis Goccia Umbrella Stand, £82.80, from A White Room, Ratton Square Umbrella Stand, £70, from The Holding Company, Kartell Gino Umbrella Stand Transparent Red, £84, from Heal’s, Lack Atico Umbrella Stand, £125, from John Lewis, Union Jack Umbrella Stand, £69, from Sweetpea and Willow, Classico Umbrella Stand, £64, from Metal Design Furniture.
Quick Shop: Waste paper bins
Be good to the environment and recycle your paper with a stylish waste paper bin.
The waste paper bin is generally seen as a very basic accessory and one of life’s necessities, however that doesn’t mean it needs to look basic.
Furnish has a great selection of waste paper bins in all colours, shapes and sizes, so you’re sure to find something that suits your style.
The Faux book library waste paper bin from Pavilion Broadway is great for the bookworms and those with traditional taste.
But if you’re looking for something a little more funky, the Essy red bin bin paper bin from Red Candy is great for adding a splash of colour.
So try a bin that’s a little different than your usual, wicker cheapie and go for something that doesn’t have to be hidden away.
(Clockwise from Top) Essey red bin bin paper bin, from Red Candy £42, Wire waste paper bin, from Summerill & Bishop £23.50, Faux book library waste paper bin, from Pavilion Broadway £85, Sanganeeri wastepaper bin, from OKA £49, Crown wastepaper bin, from OKA £49, Recycled newspaper wastepaper bin, from John Lewis £10.
Quick Shop: Funky Kettles
Complete your kitchen surfaces with an eternally useful, funky kettle.
Arguably the most useful appliance, the kettle serves the needs of all caffeine addicts for their morning fix and has done for years. But despite being a traditional kitchen accessory, there’s no need for designs to be outdated.
So with the help of Furnish, there’s plenty of deigns for you to choose from, ranging from super modern to cool and retro. For an iconic, Art Deco finish to your worktop, the Prestige 54314 traditional kettle from John Lewis is a great way of injecting some real vintage character into your kitchen.
If you fancy something a little more futuristic, the Bugatti black Vera kettle from Gifts with Style is fantastic for complementing a gadget-clad, high-tech kitchen.
So celebrate one of the greatest kitchen inventions by investing in a super funky kettle, to boil for a brew in style.
(Clockwise from Top) Bosch Styline kettle range, from Heal’s £72, Revival electric water kettle, from Red Candy £68, Alessi hob top kettle – Pito, from Utility £239.40, Alessi hot it kettle, from A White room £86, Prestige 54314 traditional kettle, from John Lewis £69.95, Bugatti black Vera kettle, from Gifts With Style £185.
Tent London Preview
We preview Tent London, one of the most diverse events of the London Design Festival
Now in its fifth year in the Old Truman Brewery in Brick Lane, Tent London is most diverse and must-see event of the London Design Festival. ?Visit London’s ground-breaking design show and see over 200 companies, manufacturers, designers and design collectives from more than 18 countries; presenting the cutting-edge contemporary interiors products and digital installations.
This year Tent will expand, with four new venues outside of the main building – including a paper installation by paper manufacturer Arjowiggins and an installation by the Slovenian Embassy, Presented by the Museum of Architecture and Design called Silent Revolutions, looking at a set of innovations and designs from the country.
Exhibiting at Tent London this year is a cross section of all that is great and good about international design. Alongside classic brands, such as Ercol, is the cutting edge of new design talent. Kingston University’s faculty of Art, Design & Architecture will be displaying the work of this year’s MA graduates.
We’ve picked out a few brands we think are must-sees at Tent London this year.
Mini Moderns
Exciting Furnish.co.uk featured brand Mini Moderns will be displaying their wares at Tent London this year. A range of interiors products designed and produced by London based design and branding agency, Absolute Zero Degrees, Mini Moderns is a print driven collection that includes wallpaper, textiles and home accessories for ‘kids (and kidults!) and design conscious families’. Their influences range from 1950’s textile designs to vintage toys and games. The brand operate a predominantly ‘Made in the UK’ policy, supporting both the environment, through a reduction of carbon emissions, and local businesses. We love their ‘Festival’ porcelain tableware, the perfect souvenir from the London Design Festival!
Stand No F15 Hall T1
Andy Murray Design
Andy Murray hails from Scotland…and no, he doesn’t play tennis. He is, in fact, an award-winning product and furniture designer.
We love the concept of his Sea Defence collection, which ‘brings together the sculptural, strong and iconic nature of sea defences, creating elegant, usable functional pieces of furniture.’ The free standing Sea Defence Shelves are hand crafted in Scotland from layered birch, which is pressed into the sculptural shape and finished by hand.
Stand No E17 Hall T1
furnish
This namesake brand will be exhibiting at Tent London all the way from Japan. Formed in 2005, furnish is a Tokyo-based designer unit consisting of Satoshi Yoshikawa, Bungo Komuro and Marie Hontoku. The designers aim to take an ordinary item and transform it into something that is not only practical, but also fun to use. All products produced by furnish are made in Japan utilizing traditional local manufacturers in the Adachi-ward suburbs where furnish are based.
Stand No F24 Hall T1
We hope we’ve convinced you to visit the London Design Festival this year, and do let us know if you uncover any upcoming design gems!
22 September – 25 September
Opening times: Thurs: 10am-8pm, Fri: 10am-7pm, Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: 11am-6pm
Tickets: £10/£8 (Adult), £5 (Child 5-16)
Cosy Up For Autumn
We’ve put together some ideas to make your autumn extra cosy
The subtle chill in the air may not be a cause for celebration for those who like to hang on to the last rays of summer, but autumn is the perfect excuse to think about making your home cosier. Whether you’re returning rosy cheeked from a brisk walk in russet-leafed countryside or bedraggled from an impromptu monsoon on the way home from work, it’s always nice to return to a home that feels warm and welcoming. But with the ever-increasing cost of energy bills, we aren’t suggesting you turn the heating up to full whack!
Whilst autumnal browns and oranges are an obvious choice to create a feeling of warmth in your space, you needn’t change your existing colour scheme. Instead try layering textures that match your existing colour scheme to add depth and warmth to your home without overhauling your décor. Opt for chunky knits, rugged tweeds and opulent velvets; use in combination, scattering sofas and beds with a selection of cushions, throws and bedspreads.
Whilst wooden floors are always appealing, autumn is the perfect time to invest in a rug to take the chill of bare floors. Look for deep pile rugs, which will add comfort and warmth even on top of carpeted floors. A small bedside rug makes a welcoming landing spot for cold toes on chilly mornings and rugs with bright accents are a perfect way to add colour to drab autumn days.
Deep cushioned armchairs and sofas are the perfect place to curl up with a hot drink and a book when the nights start drawing in. Feather wrapped foam cushions, such as the Windsor Armchair from Graham and Green, make for an extra cosy seat.
Swapping existing voile curtains for heavier fabrics is also a great way to add a feeling of cosiness to your home, as well as helping to trap heat when drawn.
Finally, why not invest in some new mugs to help fight the impending winter blues. We love the chirpy classic print of this Orla Kiely Red Abacus Flower Mug from Heal’s and the iconic bright designs of these Classic Penguin Story Mugs. Don’t forget to make sure your teapot stays toasty this autumn too with a retro tea cosy, such as this super quirky Blackberry Tea Cosy from Hunkydory Home or this Union Jack design from The Orchard.
Designers Saturday, Oslo
Furnish.co.uk's Aimie goes on tour to the design capital Oslo for Designers Saturday. Read on to see what we found.
In the heart of one of the most awe inspiring cities Oslo, the infamous Designers Saturday marked its 25th anniversary delivering an unforgettable and inspirational show. Norway, renowned for its cutting edge Scandinavian design, displayed the latest on-trend products ranging from contemporary high-end furniture to quaint and nostalgic textiles. In addition to this, some of the best up and coming designers and architects given recognition in the ‘Saturday Awards’ showcased some truly inspiring interiors and furniture.
Its safe to say that this event was by no means your average conventional interiors show. The term traditional exhibition was truly broken by 37 unique showrooms all exhibiting within different parts of the city. With free bus rides (only in Norway!) I went around various locations, soaking up all the Scandinavian magnificence on my way, on board with the help and company of my Norwegian friend and of course, translator.
One particular design that caught my eye was the latest collection from Bruhl. ‘Love and good design’ is their motto and this was truly reflected. Their latest furniture collection based upon the design of flowers, ‘Morning Dew’ originally inspired by the ‘Light in filigree daintiness’, it defines the ultimate romance between green living and floral elegance. Each chair is complimented in pastel colours and are each beautiful unique pieces of art work. Inspired by nature was a theme consistently throughout many of the designs, especially within the furniture. Gently woven into the curvature shapes, the Scandinavian designers really showed how form definitely meets function.
After slowly winding my way around the city centre I came to a showroom exhibiting carpets called Interfaceflor. A truly alternative and unconventional exhibition, which involved people dressed up in traditional folk fairy tale garb with an accordion player to help set the scene! The collection drew upon various fairy tales, with each one telling a story and setting a rather unique assortment of the carpets within the collection.
As predicted at the event, the furniture design did not disappoint. Leading edge and so typically Scandinavian, they are set to become the latest trend setters. The soft furnishings and textiles were surprisingly traditional in comparison. Natural and mostly made from raw or recycled materials, the Norwegian brand Pa Fjellet pride themselves on exactly this and delivered an outstanding array of beautifully nostalgic hand woven pieces.
It seemed that the Norwegians know how to impress with both the latest cutting edge designs and also the nationalistic pride and heritage which was greatly felt throughout the entirety of Designers Saturday.
Preview of London Design Festival – Part Two
Get ready for the most important month in the design calendar with part 2 of our guide to what’s hot at London Design Festival.
London Design Festival means only one thing; hundreds of fabulous and anticipated events all squeezed into nine days celebrating the wonder of design and contemporary treats. So before you start pounding the streets of the capital, make sure you’ve read our guide to the must-see events.
Heal’s celebrates 60 years of Marimekko
To celebrate Scandinavian design, Heal’s are opening a pop-up shop housing everything Marimekko. Featuring limited edition Heal’s furniture upholstered in Marimekko fabrics, you’ll find out just why Scandinavian design continues to be the envy of the world.
There will also be an in-store talk by Henrietta Thompson entitled, ‘Why blondes have more fun: 60 years of Scandinavian Design.’ This is a ticket only event so make sure you grab one sooner rather than later.
Heal’s, 1st floor 196 Tottenham Court Road W1, Until 25th September.
New cutlery launch and exhibition – David Mellor Design
If you’re interested in how designers develop their products, take a look at the David Mellor cutlery launch. This offers a chance to see exactly what design processes, drawings and elements go into the development of a new range of product design from this great British designer.
David Mellor, 4 Sloane Square SW1, Until 25th September.
Faye Toogood Assemblage 3: Delicate Interference
One of the most important names in interiors today, Faye Toogood launches her third furniture collection this year during London Design Festival exclusively with Phillips De Pury. Her collection includes all her work from previous launches and is all available to buy from the store. We recommend taking your credit card and having your bank manager on speed dial so you can bag a future classic.
Phillips De Pury & Company at Claridge’s 45-47 Brook Street W1, Until 4th October
Case Furniture
One of the most important furniture design companies in the world, Case display their new range of furniture in their Clapham-based showroom.
It will feature pieces from their designers Knole and Sissinghurst, Matthew Hilton and Marks Barfield Architects. So charge your Oyster card, head south and soak up some innovative design.
Case Furniture showroom, 189 Stonhouse Street SW, Until 25th September.
Dedar new showroom
Dedar is opening a brand new showroom at the Chelsea Harbour Design Centre.
It will include a presentation of all the Dedar fabrics and wallpapers, as well as an exclusive look at the first collection of Hermes fabrics and wallpapers so it’s well worth a look for key inspiration for colour and warm textiles. Plus you’ll get to hobnob with ladies who lunch and the Chelsea elite, if that’s your thing.
Dedar UK LD, The Chambers Unit C7 Ground Floor Chelsea Harbour SW, Until 28th September.
Beau McClellan Design
If lighting’s your thing then make sure you head along to Beau McClellan Design. They’ll be exhibiting their latest collection alongside a large-scale, breath-taking chandelier that reacts magically to movement and sound!
Their collection of high-end lighting products which uses LED in an innovative way will all be unveiled at the exhibit.
Beau McClellan Design, Victoria House Basement 37-63 Southampton Row WC, Until 25th September.
And if you’re not totally exhausted after all that, remember there’s 100% Design and TENT London to enjoy. We’d love to hear what’s exciting you about LDF 2011 so make sure you drop us a line and let us know.
Preview of London Design Festival – Part One
Get ready for the most important month in the design calendar with part 1 of our guide to what’s hot at London Design Festival.
London Design Festival means only one thing; hundreds of fabulous and anticipated events all squeezed into nine days celebrating the wonder of design and contemporary treats. So before you start pounding the streets of the capital, make sure you’ve read our guide to the must-see events.
Through the keyhole at Milk – Fornasetti vase collection 2011
Milk invites anybody with a taste for style to their journey through the timeless and quirky work of Fornasetti. The new launch of limited edition vases by Barnada Fornasetti are an array of textures and feature the distinctive imagery of Fornasetti, If you’re expecting traditional vases, think again – these pieces are works of art in their own right.
Milk Concept Boutique, The Clerk’s House 118 ½ Shoreditch High Street E1, until 25th September.
British-ish
Explore the work of Giles Deacon and work from upcoming future designers as recent graduates from the University of the Arts London showcase their distinctive designs. This is what’s great about British design today so make sure you pay a visit to show your support.
The V&A, Galleries 118-125 British Galleries level 4 Cromwell Road SW7, Until 25th September.
Habitat
One of the most iconic home furnishing companies, Habitat has been supplying the demand for a stylish home since 1964, when the godfather of design, Sir Terence Conran started showing us Brits how to be stylish in the home. Habitat will be displaying their Best of British designs within their iconic Tottenham Court Road store.
Habitat, 196-199 Tottenham Court Road W1T, Until 25th September.
“Love’in” stitch workshop with Fine Cell Work
Fine Cell Work show that needlework isn’t just for the over 80’s with their edgy Love, Hate, Life collection of embroidery made by UK prisoners.
Have a go at your own piece of work by making a ‘love’ inspired pin cushion, whilst being mentored by an ex offender demonstrating the intricate skill of embroidery.
Tom Dixon Shop, Wharf Building Portobello Dock 344 Ladbroke Grove W10, Until 25th September.
Crest Living Mad Hatters tea party
Crest will be showcasing new, exciting and thought-provoking designs from Thonet including pieces by designer Claudio Bellini. Crest will also be featuring a few surprise products from top manufacturers, so keep your eyes peeled and make sure you see them first. Even if you can’t attend the tea party, pop in to the Crest Living store as they’re open 7 days a week.
Crest Living, Downstairs at Few and Fair 242 Brompton Road SW3, Until 20th September.
Flavor Paper
TENT London is one of the hottest events in the calendar. If you’re looking for a variety of wallpaper ideas to decorate your home, Flavor Paper are displaying plenty of hand screened and digital wallpapers in their Flavor booth for the first time ever in the UK so take a look for some creative ideas.
Flavor Paper, Tent London Old Truman Brewery Brick Lane E1, Until 25th September.
How to create the perfect home office
keep your home office professional yet fun with our pick of office essentials
With more of us achieving the luxury of being able to work from home, your office should be somewhere stylish and practical to conduct your hard grafting. Keeping a professional feel to the room will allow you to stay motivated when the deadlines loom.
However, making your own office attractive and comfortable will make that Monday morning wake-up call a little less daunting.
The Desk
Undoubtedly the most important component of a study is the desk. With so much choice, it can be difficult to find one right for your needs. However you can’t go wrong with a desk that has plenty of storage space such as the Opus Large Desk from Love Furniture. With a spacious top, drawers and a cupboard to fit any large folders, it’s perfect choice for anyone working from home.
The Chair
A good chair is important too and when you’re sitting for what seems hours at a time, choosing a comfy one is essential. Colour-wise, you can’t go wrong with black; it oozes style and sophistication and is perfect for any home office. Add a leather finish and you’re on to a winning seat, such as the Eames EA119 high back ribbed office chair, from Lover’s Lounge. The comfortable, high back is definitely a powerful feature, keeping you inspired on even the most miserable of days, plus it’s fully adjustable so will help keep back pain at bay.
The Storage
Creating attractive, storage space in an office is relatively easy if you have the right furnishings. If you want to include a feature of the industrial office inside at home, one option is the 6 Door industrial locker unit from Rose & Grey. With its eye-catching design and edgy, metal finish, it’s fabulous for creating interest in the office, and perfect for stashing away all your clutter.
For a personal touch, how about pinning pictures of your loved ones inside the doors for a real back to school, vintage look.
The Decor
The office may be a place of work, but that doesn’t mean it has to be lifeless. Keeping your office colour scheme relaxed is key for a tranquil place to work and getting things done, so neutral tones jazzed up with some feature wallpaper is a good idea.
Forget the typical, dreary office colours like scuffed white and mucky grey and go green with the Sunlight Through Leaves wallpaper from Ella Doran. Combined with a grassy green rug such as the Sethos Green Rug from Fashion4Home, you’ll feel a little closer to nature and less restricted by those four walls.
Lighting
The lighting in your office is certainly something to ponder about. Dim lighting will only make your day seem far longer, plus you might have to pull out the reading glasses. While bright, call-centre style lighting will make you feel stuck in a box. So meeting in the middle with some warm, soft lighting will make you feel at ease in your surroundings along with any tasks that lay ahead of you.
The Wild Horn lamp, from Sweetpea and Willow had a neutral, rustic shade that will expel calm lighting and with its unique design of animal horns, will make a bold statement in any office.
Finish your main light off with a cool designed shade, like the Satellight World lampshade, from Duffy London, to keep you inspired.
Accessories
Pen/pencil holders are great placed on the desk to ensure you’ll never been digging in the bottom of the drawer again. The Pencil Sharpener Desk Tidy from Utility keeps your stationary super safe.
Another useful accessory to have is a calendar to keep you informed of any important business meetings. If you fancy something a little more permanent, the Appointment Perpetual Calendar by Philippi from Pelican Pear is a good choice.
Organisation is paramount to a tidy office, so having somewhere to stash all your important paperwork is certainly useful. The Metal Desk Tidy from Graham & Green will keep all your bills and statements ordered.
So, now you’ve sorted all that out, it’s time for the hard graft to begin. Good luck!
