the london design festival – what caught my eye at the 100% design fair

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One of my design destinations during my visit with MODENUS BlogTour to the London Design Festival was the 100% Design show over at Earl’s Court.  It’s the U.K.’s single biggest design trade event to run during the festival.  The show was divided into pavilions that included interiors; office; kitchen and bathroom; eco-design and build; emerging brands; and an international area. Good thing I didn’t know what to expect because the show is HUGE!!!

But like all shows after you’ve attended for years, there are just a handful of products that stand out, whether its because you’ve seen it all before or because you have a more urgent preoccupation for discovering something for a current design project.  Whatever the reason, I found a few things that I bookmarked for future use.

 

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Founded in London in 1968, Capitol Designer Studio takes tiling to a new level by pushing the boundary of what is possible.  One of the lines they represent is Rex Ceramiche Artistiche from Modena, Italy that produces some seriously unbelievable, stunningly beautiful and VERY realistic porcelain stoneware.  In particular their alabaster tiles in large format left me breathless.

 

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Paris-based BacSac answers my need for nature in the city.  Their colorful, light, flexible and portable planters are chic and tres cool.  One can certainly use them indoors, outdoors, and in the city, country or beach.  Years ago a client was looking to plant a vegetable garden in a rocky area of her garden.  While we found a solution then, several of these, neatly organized in a larger square would have been the bomb!

 

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Trying to break the notion that Chinese design is all about unoriginal work and imitation, The Shenzen Industrial Design Profession Association (SIDA) featured several designers taking a nod from the past and re-imagining their beautiful, classical furniture for the sophisticated buyer of today.  As you can see from these images, the re-interpretation of the original furniture is fresh and original.

 

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Ed Linacre of Copper Industrial Design, is an Australian designer kicking you know what.  His lighting is original and very tuned to today’s modern sensibility.  I particularly liked the adjustable Dusk pendant, inspired by the sun at dusk and the industrial, rough-chic, geometric Topan pendants.

 

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Toping off my list of favorites was Devon-based Turnstyle Designs which designs and manufactures beautiful and unique architectural hardware, cabinet handles and bathroom fittings. Just look at these pieces.  I just want to pet them all day!!!!

 

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These were only the things that caught my eye.  I’m sure that if you ventured into 100% Design you would find other cool, unusual and exquisitely made goods.  And then you can let me know if I missed anything!

richard rabel
principal
richard rabel: interiors + art
interior design and art advising
new york city

image credits (from top to bottom): Richard Rabel (show sign); Rex Ceramiche Artistiche (porcelain stoneware); Richard Rabel (planter)/BacSac (planter; Richard Rabel (Chinese furniture); Richard Rabel (Dusk pendant)/Ed Linacre (Topan pendants); Turnstyle Designs (2 door pulls).

 

 

November 5, 2013