So another London Design Festival has drawn to a close.
I've been a little preoccupied with my own design project over the last few weeks so I only had a few hours to visit one show. Fortunately for me, one of the finest showcases for contemporary design was happening a hop, skip and a ten minute overground ride away at the Old Truman Brewery in Shoreditch.
The Tent London / Superbrands London show has become one of the leading design destinations at the festival and is a must-see for anyone wanting to discover the latest in furniture, lighting and interiors products.
Held over four days and spread across two floors, the eleven-acre site is host to two hundred and forty companies, plus forty global 'super brands'. There is also a program of inspiring talks and, for the first time at the London Design Festival, a graduate show: Brink.
The standard of exhibitors was extremely high so it was difficult to select my favourites out of the established brands, independent designers and new talent but below are a few of those that caught my eye.
Orée
As aesthetically pleasing as some technological products can be (and I'm really only talking about Apple here), mostly they are just highly impersonal, clunky bits of metal. Creative technology entrepreneur and award-winning product designer Franck Fontana noticed this too - et voilà! - Orée was born.
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| Wireless keyboards, €150 - Orée |
Working with a team of talented artisans from their workshop in Castelnaudary, southern France, they produce elegant yet durable high performance technology objects using the finest natural materials. The range currently comprises these incredibly tactile wireless keyboards (available in maple or walnut) , a matching touch slab (trackpad), leather pouches and the 'power pebble' - a wireless charging pad made with marble. Everything is made to order and engineered so as to minimise material waste. In an age where technology is advancing at break-neck speeds, there is a graceful timelessness about Orée's products. How very French.
Curiousa & Curiousa
Founded by Esther Patterson, Curiousa & Curiousa launched at Tent London in 2010 gaining the prestigious Elle Decoration Approval award in the process. Fast forward three years and she's back in East London, this time with a British Design Award nomination and an impressive client list that includes the Royal Albert Hall and Harvey Nichols.
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| 'Triptych' Stacks, £2600 each - Curiousa & Curiousa |
The exquisite hand-blown glass pendants that Esther designs are made by highly skilled UK based crafts-people, something to which the company is strongly committed.
Along with ceiling pendants, there are also wall lights and table lamps in the collection, each radiating a kind of ethereal beauty. Make your mouth water by visiting the website here.
Parris Wakefield Additions
I first came across design duo Sarah Parris and Howard Wakefield's colourful patterned textiles earlier this year when their 'Garden' cushions were featured on a shoot for KBB magazine. Launched only last year, the initial collection was well received at Tent then and the studio has since gone from strength to strength. This year they were back to introduce the new 'Zig Zag' collection, the inspiration for which comes from mountain peaks. Sarah explained that studying the way that light changes throughout the day and at different times of the year influenced the interesting colour palette.
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| Zig Zag fabric, Parris Wakefield Additions |
Their graphic design background is evident in the Additions range (they also run a successful graphic design agency, Design Dialogue) and patterns are produced digitally from start to finish with no sketching involved. The result is a distinct kaleidoscope effect that is then transferred on to cushions, lampshades, fabric and wallpaper. There is also a rug collection made in collaboration with Knots Rugs. To see more of the collections, visit the Parris Wakefield website here.
Zoe Murphy
Before I go I must give a special mention to the queen of up-cycling, Zoe Murphy, whose stand was easily my favourite at the show.
Margate-based Zoe draws much of her inspiration from the seaside town, the sad neglect of many of it's landmark sites reflect her core values: that with little love and attention - and, of course, good design - things can be brought back to be something that is desired and respected.
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| Zoe Murphy's stand at Tent |
I was particularly drawn to the colour scheme: the pinks and oranges reminded me of the fruit salad penny chews (showing my age now!) and sticks of rock.
Since graduating from Loughborough university in 2008 with a first class degree in Printed Textiles, Zoe has firmly established herself as one of the UK's most talented young designers and sells work through Liberty London and Osborne and Little as well as direct through her website. Last year she featured on Kirstie's Vintage Home for Channel Four.
For Zoe, it seems the only way is Up(cycling)!