Last January I wrote about my inaugural visit to Home London, the first trade show of the year. This time round it was bigger and better: Home was once again co-located with Top Drawer (for stationery and gift-led products) but there was a new addition in the form of Craft - a showcase for one hundred of the finest designer makers across a broad range of disciplines.
I visited on Sunday, the opening day, and there was a distinctly warm and friendly buzz about the place. With a lot of the major buyers visiting on a week day it was a relaxed atmosphere and there was time to chat. I managed to catch up with last year's Confessions of A Design Geek bursary winner, Jessica Hogarth, who this year was located in Top Drawer having taken the decision to concentrate more on the stationery side of her business. The Mini Moderns guys were as convivial as usual, their new Hinterland collection looked great and was generating a lot of interest. I also took the opportunity to say hello to Emma from the Gary Birks studio, whose new mugs inspired my last post. I may have got more than a little excited about their new 'Wave' design…but more on that another time.
I visited on Sunday, the opening day, and there was a distinctly warm and friendly buzz about the place. With a lot of the major buyers visiting on a week day it was a relaxed atmosphere and there was time to chat. I managed to catch up with last year's Confessions of A Design Geek bursary winner, Jessica Hogarth, who this year was located in Top Drawer having taken the decision to concentrate more on the stationery side of her business. The Mini Moderns guys were as convivial as usual, their new Hinterland collection looked great and was generating a lot of interest. I also took the opportunity to say hello to Emma from the Gary Birks studio, whose new mugs inspired my last post. I may have got more than a little excited about their new 'Wave' design…but more on that another time.
There was a lot to take in, but I've selected a few exhibitors whose stands really attracted my attention...
Never has a whole brand made me want to throw out everything I own and start again, but Danish label Bloomingville has done just that. They are by no means a new company, having been founded in 2000 by Betina Stampe, but the aesthetic is clean, fresh and very 'now'. From kitchen to garden, living room to home office, they've got it covered. Dreamy summer pastels? Check. Acid brights? Yup. Scandi monochrome? Naturally. Hot metallics? You betcha.
I want it all. And I'm putting it all in my cabin between a forest and a lake somewhere in rural Sweden.
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| Pastels and geometrics |
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| Monochrome, Scandinavian style |
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| I need this lamp in my life! |
Images from bloomingville.com
See website for stockists.
I was delighted to discover the hand painted enamelware of Jasmine White. Brainchild of Supriya Broadbent, this Anglo-Asian venture utilises the skills of artisans in India which have been passed down through generations. The pretty floral design is typical of the Kashmiri region and would happily sit alongside retro or modern pieces. I particularly love the little tea caddies, which could also be used to keep spices in - lined up on a shelf they'd look very chic.
In addition to the enamelware, Jasmine White has also recently launched an original design entitled 'Indian Street' which features on a range of textile products.
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| Hand-painted tea caddy, £7.50 |
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| Indian Street cushion, £45. |
Images from jasminewhitelondon.com
I have been a fan of Sue's work for a while now so it was delightful to talk to her in person at Home. She started her career at Wedgwood but now runs her own successful studio where she makes each prototype herself before sending it off to a factory in Stoke to be produced in limited runs.
Sue's stand was easily my favourite of the whole show, the simplicity of it allowing her elegantly rustic products to take centre stage:
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| Sue's simply designed stand really caught my eye. |
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| Image from suepryke.com |
Once again the quality of exhibitors was extremely high. Next year the show is re-locating to Olympia due to the development of the Earl's Court site but it will still be the 'definitive trade event for homewares and interiors accessories'.