The London Design Festival is a great opportunity to immerse oneself in design: re-evaluating those pieces we have seen before, appreciating the variety of languages and shapes available, discovering new trends and new proposals in furniture, textiles, lighting, etc.
My initial thought was giving you my impressions on three aspects about this season: Objects, Showrooms and Installations.
But then later I thought to reduce it to the main thing that makes me go out with excitement and expectation: the discovery of new pieces/proposals that stop me on my tracks, those that make my heart beat faster or take my breath away.
Here twelve of them (in no specific order):
Shower Mixer by Antonio Lupi (Seen at 100 % Design)
The industrial chic style has been out for a while so it is extraordinary to see how some designers are stretching its character up to that point that it almost loses its origins, the magic being it is still there. This shower mixer is a perfect example.
Think of Greek temples and Baroque Churches; two different styles that use classical elements in a different way.
Argentinean Craft (Seen at The London Design Fair)
One thing that most of the native cultures all around the world have is reducing forms and shapes to their geometric, linear constituents.
These zoomorphic sculptures are really beautiful, clear, smooth and somehow seem to capture what defines each of those amazing creatures.
Wallpaper by Arte (Seen at Focus)
Arte has the very welcome habit of always surprising us, this time this, otherwise, known geometric pattern, has wonderful proportions and a luxurious velvety feel.
It is though wallpapers are just to be seen, that now is not true… with this one you will want to have your hands or checks on it.
Rug by Bram Van Breda (Seen at The London Design Fair)
It is such a beautiful piece: how its pattern moves from line to surface being abstract forms what connect them.
The colours give it that timeless permanence.
An elegant, informal and wonderful piece…
Chair by Daa (Seen at 100 % Design)
Its particular aesthetic and neat making are a very attractive mix.
Its shape reminds me of the first robots that were made but here their bulky appearance have been made sleek still preserving the add-on shapes in a balanced and sensible way.
Outdoor Chair by Flexform (Seen at Focus)
This design is not new but the proposal is. Flexform has launched his first outdoor collection and this classic has been reinterpreted so it fits the scheme. An exquisite chair, well designed, modern by essence and that green is just chic.
Floor by Berti (Seen at The London Design Fair)
Wood, a material that has been with us since the beginning of times and still has the ability to surprise us with its beauty, flexibility, malleability and capacity of change and when in the right hands it just gives that extra bit that makes it be as contemporary as any new material.
With its elongated curves and multicolour scheme, this is a floor that can go from elegant to funky without losing its composure.
Sideboard by Jungbach (Seen at The London Design Fair)
A piece where proportions, use of material (aluminium) and feel challenge the assumptions we have of them.
The extremely “cubic” form is tamed by the hammered aluminium texture of its surface. And the graceful legs add elegance to the composition.
A disturbingly beautiful piece…
Rug by Luke Irwin (Seen in Pimlico late Night)
Design, Pattern, dark and beautifully dyed colours; all add to the great look and feel of this piece.
A seductive, inviting and elegant rug that will force you to think twice about what you will put on the top of it.
Lamp by Phos (Seen at The London Design Fair)
An almost impeccable and charming solution for a lighting feature that besides performing is a statement object by itself
I said almost impeccable because the metal piece in chrome that allows the piece to rotate cannot be matched to the different finishes in offer which is a pity but still a great object, very tactile and good looking.
Armchair by Poltrona Frau (Seen at their showroom)
A piece that defies taste and categorization…
What makes me really like it is its organic shape, zoomorphic inspired and beautifully made in leather.
It has that futuristic touch that looks into the past for finding comfort, inspiration and peace.
Fabric by Sahco (Seen at Focus)
Art Deco will be always a reference when talking about elegance and then opulence (when in its decadent phase).
This fabric is opulent in its pattern, colours, shine, and scale. A fabric that can be used either in austere, dramatic settings as it can navigate easily in more flamboyant and elaborated rooms.
