Top Drawer London SS16
Visiting a home show is a must if you are an interiors blogger. You need to be in front of all product launches and where possible, meet the makers! I knew I was in for a treat this week with Top Drawer London. There were great brands to see as well as emerging talent such as Marta Bordes who won the 2016 Bursary by Confessions of a Design Geek and whose prize included a stand in the show. Marta brought along her Satellite collection (below) which looked uber cool!
Nordic chic
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The Nordics descented on London in full force and for those who believe that they lack colour, I can tell you this: you are so wrong. Just look here some pieces from the Broste Copenhagen collection. Yes, colours are a lot more muted and there's no neon involved, but colours are there, earthy browns and pinks and yellows, green and blue and were complimented by many accessories in rich brass shades. I met with their lovely sales team and cannot wait to get my catalogue of their products. Watch this space!
At liv I had to stop and take in fresh green and blue colours. The brand liv was founded in 2005 by Tina and Asad Mirza. Tina, being Danish, studied graphic design and Asad, who was born in Pakistan, has a business background. Their combined resources form the cultural mix which reflects in the design of all liv products.Tina and her team develop two collections per year. This is Scandinavian boho chic, colourful with ethnic touches (their brass trays are a great all round classic).
Sweden's Eight Mood was another source of inspiration. Great linen, lots of rose quartz and soft greys.
UK Based Sellers
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CREAM CORNWALL
My first stop was at Cream Cornwall, with their mystifying maritime collection. The deep blue colour against crisp white on their dinnerware was fabulous and full of impact. A whole table arranged with this collection will definitely make you the hostess with the mostest! And they make exceptional gifts! Rebecca Heane and Allison Hughes, the creative duette behind the brand, have 45 years of experience of textiles, interiors and design between them. They believe in craftsmanship – creativity, unique style and a commitment to quality. And it shows in their products! Read more about them here.
BOHEMIA DESIGN
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Edinburgh based Bohemia Design was a business that I had not come across previously. Their Moroccan lemon wood kitchen utensils with their light blond colour were perfectly contrasted by the colourful garlands (handmade in India, 100% wool, £29.95) and the pom pom blankets (handmade in Morocco, 100% cotton, from £115). The ladies at Bohemia Design have a fabulously inspiring instagram feed, check it here.
HOKOLO LONDON
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Design led Hokolo London showcased their new dinnerware collections for all of you (us) mid-century fanatics, though Jen Taylor's designs are equally at home in your scandi abodes. Good luck to Jen who is also exhibiting at Maison Et Objet in Paris 22-26 Jan and don't forget that you can find her pop-up shop between 22-28 February 2016 at The Showcase, Craft Central, 33-35 St John's Square, London, EC1M 4DS. Find more about Hokolo London here.
thornback & peel
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So this season I am definitely stocking on Thornback & Peel goodies as I desperately need to replace my Cath Kidstone - seen better days - apron and double oven glove. The brand launched a series of new prints during Top Drawer including Mums and Roses, in white and cornflower blue, Pea Pod in a delicious green, Strawberry, Fish Supper in blue and yellow, Lobster in burnt orange as well launching their most popular Rabbit & Cabbage design, this time in all pink.
so cosy
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So Cosy began life with no name, on a market stall in Spitalfields. They sell luxurious blankets made only from the finest alpaca, merino and sheep wools.
lorna syson
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Lorna's Syson's unique designs simultaneously spark nostalgia and represent a simplified beauty of the British outdoors.
- TECHNOLOGY -
plantui smart garden
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So much great design during the show. Having done the rounds, I made my way to the PLANTUI stand where I met Timea Jager from Finland. It's really wonderful seeing someone who believes in their brand as much as Timea does. She gave me a demonstration of the Plantui Smart Gardens and as much information as I was willing to absorb at that point (it was getting late). I was really impressed with the design of these planter/lamps which look like they've arrived from another plannet alltogether yet also look like the famous Pantone mushroom lamps. Read more about this brand here.
