Gems in London...whirlwind glimpses of design at London Design Festival

take a look at the design gems 

I found at

 London Design Festival

The view from Sir Terence Conran's headquarters

I was sponsored on my very first journalist design tour to London for one of the world's largest industry festivals, London Design Festival.  Because the Festival is spread out throughout the entire city, we were inundated with the unique English manner of design and life.  We began our four day tour with a visit to the iconic V&A Museum which brought the English sensibilities right front and center. It was an incredible combination of high-end detailed style that is quintessentially English with a pared down comfort and an intentional ease to experience art in a relaxed setting. The V&A has implemented many installations that encourage guests to relax in the space, interact with the exhibits and love and live with art on a daily basis. We were a hand picked group of journalists and designers hailing from all over the globe, a cornucopia of writers and sent to London to "paint the town red" and share with our readers the best of interior design in London.

After the beautiful long walks and a few TUBE rides, we took in many wonders, tried delicious food and headed over to one of the many enticing design venues spread out throughout London during this week, Tent London. We saw first-hand cutting edge wares at the show showcasing works from emerging artists and craftsmen. I have not seen a design show quite like this before set in an industrial space with young, artists (future design icons) showcasing their creations.  

As we all know by now, wallpaper has come is back and is very popular in the design industry.  At Tent London there was an emphasis on wallpapers, stencils, paper in art and interesting yet unusual plays with textures and fabrics.  I especially enjoy using wallpaper in small spaces like bathrooms, offices and even closets. Of course I have my very all time favorites from the classic high end designs of Clarence House but the unique papers at Tent London are like a breath of fresh air.  

I loved the textures and patterns of the paper and fabrics from wallpapers to art to textiles we saw all throughout the city. Suzanne goodwin  offered up beautiful, (almost asian in feel as if gleaned from a silk kimonos).  The colors were vivid yet the patterns subtle and elegant.  She was my favorite find at Tent London. While chatting with Suzanne, I learned she had lived in NYC years back and learned the trade in the fashion industry while working for fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi.

Lots of one color toile papers and hand painted unique looks. In addition to fabrics and textiles, I noted the wonders of paper used in many ways with origami art displays. I noticed a play on old traditional papers but with a new twist from Famille summerbelle collection.  I also found quite an enticing group of fabrics and papers from Original Little Bird.  Maps yet re-configured into cool patterns, wallpapers and even hung art. And, finally, Abigail Edwards' wallpapers caught my eye.  These papers from the British Isles are very stylized with a unique Owl design to boot!

Next, we were whisked off for cocktail parties, talks from journalists and design field experts, and even a champagne breakfast at Poggenpohl showroom in Waterloo.  What a wonderful design whirlwind- stay tuned for more about this Design Journey.

    

                                                       Happy Nesting

XO Tamara

street style, London

beautiful architecture

learning the ins and out of London

The Savoy Hotel, The London Eye

Tent London

Suzanne Goodwin's fabrics and cushions

Famille summerbelle collection

cut out map of New York City

delicate linen print of the beautiful "Pony Girl"

Abigail Edwards' 

"Owls of the British Isles 

is a graphic design featuring 10 different owls. The barn owl, eagle owl, hawk owl, snowy owl, Tengmalm’s owl, scops owl, little owl, short eared owl, long eared owl and tawny owl.  5% of profits from this wallpaper will go to The Barn Owl Centre (barnowl.co.uk) to advance the conservation of the barn owl and other species of owl."

stop back in a few days for more
from our travels through London: 
Flowers, Vintage Wares &
more notes from
London Design Festival