The annual Decorex 2022 exhibition was held again this week and I massively enjoyed it! It was a pleasure to submerse myself in and amongst the stands, for the first time in a couple of years. Perhaps the break in visits added to my enjoyment or perhaps it was visiting London Olympia and not having to schlep to Sion Park where it had been hosted in previous years. Olympia’s Victorian ‘Grand Hall’ is a wonderful venue that I’m really looking forward to seeing re-invigorated as part of Yoo Capitals investment in the site.
Here is a selection of the brands, makers and products that caught my interest:
Edition Bougainville, a luxury rug design studio based in Cannes was displaying a beautiful bespoke rug hanging from its wall. I’ve seen many rugs that incorporate subtle swirling, cloud-like patterns before but what interested me and elevated this rug was the clever implementation of a large variety of carving and knotting techniques creating varied textures and depth.
Having followed Olivia Walkers work in ceramics online for a few years, this was the first time I’d had the chance to see a collection of hers up close. From her studio on Dartmoor, she is producing works exploring the contrast between rough and smooth surfaces, straight lines and imperfect ones and deconstructing the smooth ceramic forms with thousands of individually fired pieces of porcelain.
Tamsin Osher‘s Grain collection is a series of hand turned pendent lamps crafted from waste timber sourced in the UK. The lamps are turned so thin that they are translucent when illuminated, showing the growth rings of the trees they are made from. A lovely blend of nature and architecture in a sustainable form.
Perhaps my most rewarding and surprising finds at the show were two stands each promoting British sourced and woven fabrics. Harris Tweed is the only fabric in the world governed by its own Act of Parliament and the only fabric produced in commercial quantities by truly traditional methods. They have just launched a range of upholstery grade fabrics that I’ll be looking to incorporate into the upholstery of one of my current projects in Marylebone. My client is sure to appreciate the heritage and story behind the fabric as well as its sustainable credentials.
The second fabric company was The Isle Mill. Possibly the find that made the show for me as I’ve found it increasingly difficult to find high quality wools at a very reasonable price. I was very impressed with their 100% wool sateen that looks like it will hang beautifully as luxurious curtains. Their wool, silk and linen blend displayed a really subtle luxury, ideal for throw cushions. Our Studio materials library is eagerly awaiting a collection of their swatches.
I’ll be updating our Design Discoveries Blog over the coming weeks with more interesting finds from upcoming exhibitions and makers we work with.
