Pulse 2013 Preview

In a few days time I shall be making my inaugural visit to the summer's largest design-led home and gift trade show, Pulse.

After the joy of discovering so many talented designer/makers at the Home show earlier this year, (see my earlier post, Home Sweet Home) to say I'm excited about this one is a slight understatement.

More than half of the exhibitors are exclusive to Pulse and with their unique Launchpad platform, dedicated to promoting some of the world's most exciting new designers, I'm sure  I'll have lots to tell you about.  The show is divided in to five sectors - Home, Gift, Wellbeing, Fashion Accessories and the aforementioned Launchpad - and attracts thousands of buyers from across the globe.

I shall be bringing you my round-up of favourites, and hopefully giving you a bit of insider information on the Autumn/Winter trends, later this month.  In the meantime, I've already singled out a few designers whose star is definitely on the rise and whom I am very much looking forward to seeing next week...

My Three to See:

Jorja Wilkinson Design

I first came across Jorja's  60's inspired designs in last October's Country Living magazine.
Working from an idyllic sounding cricket pavilion studio in North Yorkshire, she creates striking patterns with clean lines and a crispness not unlike Orla Kiely, but with a much fresher, contemporary palette. 
A menagerie of animals, flora and fauna feature heavily in her designs so if you're looking for English countryside with a twist you'll love Jorja's products.  Tea towels, lampshades and stationery are just some of the products available in numerous stockists up and down the country. See Jorja's website for more details.

'Poppy' lampshade in green, from £32 - Jorja Wilkinson Design

Kangan Arora

I met Kangan earlier this year when I was attending evening classes at Central St Martins.   Our course tutor had got stuck in traffic somewhere hours from London and wouldn't make it in time so instead of cancelling the lesson, Kangan stepped in to save the day!  A graduate of both CSM and the National Institute of Fashion Technology, she talked with such obvious passion about her craft to us amateurs I immediately looked her up when I got home.  Kangan's inspiration comes from India's vibrant street culture (something which is also very close to my heart, but more about that soon!) and she combines techniques such as screen-printing and appliqué to create bold, quirky textiles and prints.  Check out her Etsy shop here.

'Circles' screen printed cushion, £24 - Kangan Arora via Etsy

Roddy & Ginger

Having already featured quite prominently in several interiors publications over the last two years, Roddy & Ginger were recently selected as one to watch by official Pulse blogger, Confessions of a Design Geek's Katie Treggiden (read her interview with them here). I've also picked them out as I am particularly drawn to their folksy style which is combined with a distinctly mid-century modern colour palette.  
Producing a range of home wares, textiles and stationery from her studio in south-east London, founder Virginia Armstrong also works as a freelance illustrator and designer.  See the full range of products at the Roddy & Ginger website. I love these fun 'log' books (see what they did there?):

Set of three Log Books, £12 - Roddy & Ginger

I hope that this little pre-show teaser has left you wanting more - be sure to check back soon for a full review. I'm now more excited than I was before I started - it's certainly got my Pulse racing! (I know, sorry!)

Home Sweet Home.

Last weekend at Earls Court proved there really is no place like Home. My first visit to this trade-only event was a little bit daunting, not least because I'm new on the scene and haven't quite mastered the art of staying cool while surrounded by so many talented designers, but also because the sheer volume of stands and products to see literally took my breath away.  

Being a trade event the show (held in conjunction with Top Drawer, the definitive show for the gift, lifestyle and fashion accessories industry) had a distinctly different buzz to any other I've visited. This is where buyers, designers and journalists gather to determine what trends and products we'll all be adorning our homes with over the coming seasons.

For me, though, it was an opportunity to fuel my creative aspirations.  Like the proverbial kid in a sweetshop I wandered up and down each aisle, marvelling at each stand. Some products I liked, others not so much but each one filled me with inspiration.  

Among some of the bigger names in design such as Royal Doulton, Seletti and Jonathan Adler this year Home was also host to the Confessions of A Design Geek bursary nominees so, what better way to start my 'best of' round-up than with the winner, illustrator and surface pattern designer, Jessica Hogarth.  

"Life By The Sea' print by Jessica Hogarth,
now £42 from Notonthehighst.

Yorkshire-based Jessica graduated from Leeds College of Art in 2010 and started Jessica Hogarth Designs in 2011.
Her bold, playful illustrations are largely inspired by daily life and the Yorkshire coast, although Jessica also takes regular sketching trips around the UK and Paris.

As well as producing designs for her own label, Jessica has collaborated with Korean marketing and branding agency, Lab C and American quilting company, P&B Textiles. Her prints are stocked by The Futon Company and she also sells through Not On The High Street.

Throughout the show I noticed that there seemed to be two main themes: childhood/nostalgia and nature.  One design duo that I feel combines the two are Maria Livings and Marie Rodgers of Lush Designs.
I first spotted their lampshades in Stoke Newington's interiors boutique, Hamiltons, and was delighted to get to see more of their work (and have a bit of a natter!) at the show.

'Fox & Cubs' silk scarf, £115 from Lush Designs

The quirky, hand-drawn designs feature many woodland animals as well as mermaids and the popular cheeky monkey. The pair produce the lampshades themselves at their studio in Deptford and also have a shop in Greenwich.  I can also reveal that they will be opening a pop-up shop on Columbia Road, East London next month.

Next up is the whimsical world of Mellor Ware.  Illustrator Lianne Mellor has designed a range of chinaware which depicts a world of playful creatures engaging in a range of very British pastimes such as afternoon tea and garden parties.  Her simple watercolours are narrative, telling stories of  what she imagines the wildlife gets up to when no one is watching.

'Animal Tea Party' cup & saucer by Mellor Ware,
£24.95 from Liberty

All chinaware is produced by Lianne at her studio in Sheffield and are sold through Liberty and Etsy.

Finally, on a more grown-up note, let me introduce you to British-Japanese ceramics designer, Reiko Kaneko. 
Reiko established her design studio in London's East End after graduating from Central St Martins in 2007 but has since relocated to Stoke-on-Trent in order to integrate the design and production process more closely.  

'Drip Tease' mug in gold, £14 from Reiko Kaneko

Reiko's aim is to prove that chinaware need no longer be the reserve of the twee and can be stylish and sophisticated and I think she succeeds brilliantly. Her work combines the simplicity of Japanese design with a little bit of British wit bringing ceramics bang up to date.  
The 'Drip Tease' mug was a close second for my favourite find of the show (the first being the 'Tea For One' table on the Lust List). Actually, the two compliment each other perfectly - now I'll have to buy both!

I could write about a lot of other designers at the show whose work I admire but I'd probably be here all night and Mr VKH has opened the wine, so here's a little 'best of the rest':

Studio Seed:
Luxury stationery and prints from Tamsin Seed.

Victoria Eggs:
Kitchenware and gifts from this award-winning designer, inspired by and made in good old Blighty.

étoile home:
Soft furnishings and homewares from photographer and stylist, Shani Beadle.


I can definitely say that Home is where my heart is!
Kx