It’s London Design Week at the Design Centre, in Chelsea Harbour.  There is such a lively buzz of excitement and a warm welcome when you arrive at this beautiful venue.  Although this is usually the playground for Architects and Interior Designers, it’s doors are open to all.  Entrance is free and when it’s not a trade only day anyone can take advantage of the live demos, attend guided tours and workshops and meet some of the experts in the Interior Design world.

With a massive 120 showrooms featuring around 600 brands you really do need to go with a plan of action.  As a general shopper you may feel overwhelmed – there is just so much to see.  

Catering mainly for the Interior Design Trade, companies show samples of all their designs.  This makes some showrooms a bit library like, with row on row of fabrics and wallpapers.  Most Interior Designers will know which brands to head for.  They will know the style they favour or are hoping to achieve.  

However, if you are looking for inspiration, or trying to find your style – it’s a great place to just go to have a browse and a coffee.

You will find showrooms that high-light and feature their new designs with brilliant window and interior displays.  These brands have great expertise in design and they will often show new colour combinations and style that you can take note of and use in your own home.

I have put together a visual tour of the most creative high-lights of the Centre and picked out just a few of the showrooms I love to visit.

On stepping into the Design Centre I was greeted with imaginative window displays by Zimmer + Rohde.  Bright neon signs and Cacti displaying some of their bold and bright  ‘Wonderland’ fabrics.  This collection being a homage to mythical places and paying tribute to traditional craftsmanship.  With another window of sailing ships and fabric bunting creatively showcased it’s Etamine Collection. 

It was refreshing to see Glasgow’s ‘Timourous Beasties’ appearing at the Centre.  The tall showroom was just perfect to showcase the scale of their wild and amazing designs.  Although only here for a temporary stay – they do have a London Store in Clerkenwell.  It was great to see the Kaleidoscope Splatt fabric on the sofa and arm chair.  The scale of their designs always create a unique piece of statement furniture.

The Cole & Sons showroom  was a real delight.  Like stepping into another world – the whole studio is decorated with their surreal Fornasetti collection.  I could not fail to be wowed by the perfect retro styling and presentation.  The Senza Tempo collection delves into Fornasetti’s dreamlike world where elegance and irony are perfectly combined in timeless designs.

I loved the Retro 70’s windows.  Great styling and an imaginative way to present their Elitis indoor/outdoor range.  Called appropriately ‘Farniente’  – ‘chilling-out’ in Italian.

The Style Library has a beautifully presented showroom. Housing the brands Zoffany, Harlequin, Sanderson, Morris &Co, Scion and Anthology.   Walls of creative pots of colours showcase the different paint collections.  Effective library style wall bays show inspiring designer mood boards.  With window displays showcasing new designs and the trend for wicker-work.

I loved the atmosphere in the Watt’s showroom, just like walking into an exciting bazaar.  I had never seen such an amazing collection of tassels and trimmings.  The huge hanging tassel that immediately grabbed my attention was nearly 2 meters tall – wow, now that would need a large room! 

The Turnell and Gigon Studio was another showroom that was a feast for the eye.  Showing the Gatsby Suite, an amazing creation, by Katherine Pooley.  Opulent over-the-top styling.  Swathes of dried foliage and a glass chandelier suspended above a decadent Art Deco room set.  Dark and moody with greens and golds and a grand, feather-topped, ornate,  period fireplace.

Nicholas Haslam’s centrepiece was focused on his out door furniture.   I love the Rhodes Chaise and can imagine relaxing by the lovely fountain.

I admired the classic and elegant designs from Baker.  Simple styling with bold splashes of colour or more harmonious setting in taupe and gold.  The Blossom and Palato mirrors shown below are real statement pieces.

Some fabulous table styling in the Davidson Studio.  Seldom do you get to see such a beautiful table setting.  The dark interior of the Davidson showroom is a great backdrop for their classic furniture.  With clever use of artwork and colour to compliment their designs.

With a host of room sets all beautifully presented and elegantly styled.

It’s rare to see Bathrooms displayed creatively, but artistic splashes of paint made quite an impression on me at the Victoria + Albert Studio.   The central exhibition piece with its daubes of abstract colour was very eye-catching.  With artists easels and paint pots used throughout the displays.  Artistically showcasing their collection of colourful free-standing baths.

I always look forward to seeing the amazing range of lighting in the Porta Romano showroom.  They put on great workshop demo’s – which I unfortunately missed.  But it looks as if gold leafing was this weeks presentation. The photos below are just a small sample of the library of lighting that you will always find on show.

More beautiful lighting to be seen at Gladee.  From traditional crystal chandeliers to contemporary sculptural forms and glass installations. The sheer scale of the designs will make you stare in awe.

And finally spotted this beautiful velveted upholstered beast strolling the centre showcases – with fabrics by Jim Thompson.

I hope you have enjoyed our brief visual tour of London Design Week at Chelsea Harbour.  If you did get to attend – please let me know what I missed !

Events at the Centre are always a great time to visit.  The next occasion will be – Focus/19  on 15 – 20 September.  Visit the Design Centre website for more details.