On Tuesday last week, 14 March, I zoomed to London to attend London Design Week at the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour.
Despite being crazy busy, I know that the time taken out of the week to attend is really valuable, as it is so important for me to keep inspired as an Interior Designer and to also be up to date with new trends. Being surrounded by such an inspiring space reminds you of just how much you love your job and sparks ideas which are so important, not only for projects I am already working on but for those coming in the future.
I hoped to discover new suppliers, and as well as the permanent showrooms that remain all year around, London Design Week showcases new and innovative suppliers in their pop up stands which puts you in the mindset that you might just find new items for current projects, which I am delighted to say I did!
Taking a guided tour of the Centre was an invaluable experience as I was taken into showrooms that I may not have chosen to pop into otherwise. It definitely showed me that sometimes pre conceived ideas of particular brands can be limiting. For example, Ralph Lauren Home, believing this to only be for extremely high-end projects, I was delighted to find an item for a current project that I would have originally thought would have been out of the projects budget, but was actually just the right find, and my client is delighted.
Stunning Tulips, Daffodils' & spring colours adorned the design centre
There was a mood board workshop with Clarke & Clarke that I attended and found it to be a fabulous opportunity to mingle and chat with other designers. Mood boards are such an important part of the design process to help visualise how everything comes together and works in harmony with regard to colour, texture and composition, for both client and designer.
Mood Board Masterclass
Learning about Clarke & Clarke’s new collection – Marianne – was a joy and the whole workshop was such a good use of my time, coming away with a mood board that I am really excited could be implemented into a new future project.
Looking at the contrast between physical mood boards and digital ones really confirmed to me how important is it to have a beautiful visual space to get inspired in.
I am so delighted that our new Studio is a reflection of that beauty not only for me as an exciting workspace, but for clients when I present their concept design all laid out with fabrics, colours, textures etc. This is when the clients really start to get excited as they can start to visualise what the end design will be.
Another reason for attending, was to look at artwork for a current project and this proved really worthwhile, with Art gallery pop ups giving me so many great ideas.
Pop Up Gallery of Stunning Art!
Over all it was a very positive experience, enriching my day and with Titch by my side, she had a great time too, not to mention I got to sample the most delicious and amazing chocolate brownie cooked in one of the stunning kitchen showrooms.
Mascot!
A great day was had by all :-)
We also had a lovely pitstop in this beautiful pub which reminded me very much of a project we worked on…