Clerkenwell Design Week is London’s version of Salone in Milan, or 3 days of Design in Copenhagen. It is held in the neighbourhood called Clerkenwell, which houses the flagship showrooms of most UK based suppliers within the interior design industry, and is a delightful three day event characterised by a selection of workshops, panel talks, product launches and showroom parties.
Here is a whistle stop tour of a day at Clerkenwell Design Week…
The morning begins with a herbal spritz making workshop hosted by the gorgeous Scandinavian furniture brand Muuto. We were introduced to all the different essential oils, and then left to explore and create our own concoctions for the perfect room spray.
On the way to Old Sessions House, we made a quick stop in the sockets and ironmongery tent where we spotted these playful handles which would instantly put a smile on anyone’s face!
Then into Old Sessions House we went. The beautiful building had its debut re-opening after being closed for renovations to turn it from a disused courthouse to a trendy co-working space; but for this week, acoustics company Baux have taken over the space with a staggering installation of their acoustic panels.
On to the lighting exhibit… There so many mesmerising lighting sculptures on show (the XAL installation was a showstopper), however it was this stand which really caught our attention. The simplicity of the palette and shapes made for a beautifully subtle lighting collection.
Lastly to wrap up the afternoon, we visited Tarkett’s showroom which had an exciting exhibit showcasing products made from 100% recycled and/or salvaged materials – who knew shoes could be so fun and so good for environment! This was just the start however, as then we were treated to a talk but Swedish design studio Note Design. Their approach to design is incredibly forward thinking, as the small team work in all realms – from interiors to branding to advertising – work with the attitude that all they need is creativity, research, and a strong concept to make any type of project a success, no matter one’s professional background.
On to the evening…
6pm onwards is when Clerkenwell begins to really come alive. Every showroom have their doors open, with drinks and food to lure you in, and exquisite displays to showcase their products… Think of a bar crawl, but showroom hopping edition.
We started at Parkside Tiles who had a zero waste food and cocktails menu. This of course was to coincide with their zero waste tile collection – but was an excellent way to bring people in and spark conversation!
Next up was bathroom fixtures giant Ideal Standard. They wowed us with a VR set which completely immerses you into a bathroom setting, and gives you control to switch out vanities and fittings to create a look unique to you.
And last showroom on the night was Consentino. Known for their evening events, this one did not disappoint! A DJ sat nestled between two huge marble slabs, and the guests were required to weave through the gorgeous (and enormous) samples. Although it was nerve-racking to be up close amongst such valuable pieces in a hectic space, it really encouraged the guests to take the products in and have a closer look.
A DJ sat nestled between two huge marble slabs, and the guests were required to weave through the gorgeous (and enormous) samples. Although it was nerve-racking to be up close amongst such valuable pieces in a hectic space, it really encouraged the guests to take the products in and have a closer look.
With Clerkenwell Design Week now wrapped up, the next big event on everybody’s lips is the long awaited Salone in Milan. Stay tuned for an article to come on the hottest new product released from the event!
