One of the more hidden gems of the interiors scene in London, the Design Centre at Chelsea Harbour is a hub for interior designers and design-lovers alike. It’s the go-to destination for seeing the top names in everything from wallpapers, fabric, trimmings, lighting, high-end furniture and more in one place. Think of it as a Westfield for design professionals.
Sunday saw the centre’s annual event – London Design Week 2017 – kick off and we took an amble down to see what was going on this year…
When you step off the train at Imperial Wharf, you immediately know you’re in a focal point for interiors inspiration. Whether it’s the curved lines of the Roca London Gallery designed by Zaha Hadid Architects or the impressive window displays at JAB Anstoetz, a short walk will take you to under the impressive glass domes of the Design Centre.
Across six days, London Design Week is pinned as an unmissable event for designers, architects and style seekers from across the globe. This year’s theme of the show is ‘Unlock the Secrets of Design’s DNA’ and from the botanical terrariums suspended from the building’s iconic domes or the glass cases featuring faux-taxidermy we got a feel that we were about get the inside scoop of what’s big for 2017.
Salazar the Siberian Tiger by Larry Walshe Floral Design
Tropical was definitely trending around the centre and this year’s Pantone Colour of the Year, Greenery, was apparent in nearly all of the showrooms. With many of us looking to introduce the botanical trend into the home, there were plenty of palm prints, exotic patterns and animal motifs to be seen, transforming the centre into an interiors jungle.
Here’s a roundup of the best nods to the trend we saw in and around the centre.
Jacaranda Carpets
Whistler Leather
Abbott & Boyd
Colony
Samuel & Sons
Altfield London
Victoria + Albert x Silken Favours
Cole & Sons
However, if you really want to get into the underbelly of the design this week, then you should definitely visit one of the Conversations in Design that are taking place throughout. Each one is priced at £10.00 and are usually followed by a drinks reception, so you do get some bang for your buck. Here’s our recommendations of what to attend if you can:
- Designing Difference, hosted by FT How to Spend It
- A conversation between Rita Parniczky, Helen Amy Murray and Anna Garner – chaired by journalist Charlotte Abrahams
- Tuesday 11:30am-12:30pm
- Lessons in Good Manors, hosted by House & Garden
- A conversation between Features Director David Nicholls and Christopher Boyle QC, chairman of the Georgian Group
- Tuesday 3:00pm-4:00pm
- Ideas Are Your Only Currency
- Rod Judkins, lecturer at Central St. Martins speaks about how our ideas and every aspect of our lives started as an idea in someone’s head
- Wednesday 3:00pm-4:00pm
- Understanding Design’s DNA, hosted by LivingEtc
- Tara Bernard, Tom Bartlett and Alistair Hughes discuss the secrets of good design – chaired by Editor Suzanne Imre
- Thursday 3pm-4pm
- Discovery Trail, hosted by Elle Decoration
- Deputy Editor Ben Spriggs will take you on a trail of the centre and give you an insider’s view on some of the biggest names in the industry
- Friday 12:00pm-1:00pm
We’re confident you’ll get plenty of insights in these conversations that you can put into practise.
Now, the Design Centre is quite big so make sure you check out the programme, pick some exciting things to see and go on the prowl for great design. Not only did we feel like we discovered the science of design, but we also spotted some cracking interiors – and to us, that’s a winning formula.
London Design Week runs from Sunday 12th – Friday 17th so you have plenty of time to get down there and discover design’s DNA.
David & Mark x
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