Last week, I embarked on an exhilarating journey from the Southwest to the bustling heart of London for Focus’24. Despite the early start, the trip was filled with laughter and catch-ups with friends, making the time fly by.
As we arrived at Chelsea Harbour Design Centre, our group split up, each of us drawn to our favourite brands and eager to discover new ones. The centre was alive with creativity, showcasing the latest in design trends and innovations.
The Longer View, which is the area of brands visiting the venue for the event, had some standouts that caught my eye. I've included photos to inspire you.
BIRDIE FORTESCUE
I'm excited to share with you the new Havana collection by Birdie Fortescue that I discovered at their stand! This Autumn/Winter 2024 collection is a beautiful blend of timeless elegance and vibrant energy, inspired by the captivating city of Havana.
The Havana collection embodies Birdie's signature style for harmonious interiors while reflecting the unique charm of Old Havana. It features subtly clashing colours, unique designs, and rustic textures that capture the softened elegance of the Cuban capital.
Lights & Lamps
An interesting new brand I don't think I've come across before, Lights & Lamps offers great shapes and designs at affordable prices. Definitely one to keep in mind for future projects.
As I walked along the Safomasi stand, I was drawn in by the vibrant colours and intricate patterns of their rugs and fabric flags. Safomasi is a brand with a fascinating story that beautifully blends travel, culture, and design.
Founded in 2012 by British-Indian couple Sarah Fotheringham and Maninder Singh, Safomasi creates original home textiles and accessories inspired by their travels around the world. Each of their collections celebrates a journey to a different region, from Mauritius to Cappadocia and even family holidays in Salcombe, Devon. Their playful figurative patterns are designed to evoke both memories and wanderlust, creating scenes that may feel familiar to some and exotic to others.
The Mountain Zig Zag fabric flag I pulled out to view is a perfect example of their design philosophy. It's a beautiful statement fabric that puts a playful twist on a bold chevron print. The pattern illustrates mountain landscape scenes inspired by their travels in the Himalayas, showcasing Safomasi's ability to transform their experiences into captivating textile designs.
ARTWORK & ANTIQUES
Marthe Armitage Prints
Marthe Armitage Prints is a new and intriguing name in the world of artisanal wallpapers and fabrics. This company specialises in producing exclusive, hand-printed wallpapers and coordinating screen-printed fabrics, all created from handmade linocuts. The intricate, signature designs are crafted by artist Marthe Armitage in her Chiswick studio, using traditional lino block printing techniques. They've also recently introduced a high-end range of digitally printed wallpapers, carefully made to retain the subtle tonality of their hand-printed papers. With their unique approach to design and commitment to artisanal techniques, Marthe Armitage Prints' designs would be fascinating to explore for future projects.
Franquemont
Franquemont preserves global textile heritage for classic and contemporary homes. Inspired by historic motifs and traditional crafts, their hand-painted and hand-drawn designs create distinctive fabrics. Printed in England and woven in Europe's finest mills, Franquemont produces artisanal pieces with enduring style and quality.
Rapture and Wright
Rapture and Wright's stand was a visual feast, showcasing a vibrant tapestry of creativity. Their new Persephone wallpaper adorned one wall, its intricate patterns drawing the eye and inviting closer inspection. Opposite, a kaleidoscope of fabric lengths cascaded down, each telling its own story of colour and design. A round stool, upholstered in the lush green colourway of Pablo's Polka, served as a bold punctuation mark in this textile paradise.
Rapture and Wright is a unique British textile studio founded in 2004 by Peter Thwaites and Rebecca Aird. They specialise in creating distinctive fabrics and wallpapers using traditional hand-printing techniques. As one of the few remaining handprint studios in the UK, Rapture and Wright combines backgrounds in graphic design and illustration to produce personal and subtly different results that reflect the hand of the maker. The company is committed to environmental sustainability and adapts age-old techniques to create fabrics and wallpapers for both contemporary and classical tastes.
BLACK EDITION
First Floor, North Dome
The Black Edition room set showcases a luxurious and contemporary design aesthetic. The focal point of the room is a dominant sofa covered in Xenia, a striking heavyweight chenille weave that has been spray-dyed by hand. This technique creates artisanal marks rich in tone, with colour transitions from intense to more delicate shades, adding depth and visual interest to the piece. The room's ambiance is further enhanced by exquisite wallpapers, including the Figura wallpaper on the back wall, which features an alluring interpretation of the female form inspired by abstract, undulating sculptures.
Complementing the main elements, the room set incorporates a dining table from Julian Chichester with chairs upholstered in new textural fabrics. The side wall showcases the Tsauri mural in gold, an immersive visual experience with majestic brushstrokes embellished with shimmering gold foil, creating a three-dimensional splendour. This carefully curated combination of textures, colours, and designs demonstrates Black Edition's commitment to sophisticated and high-quality interior design, creating a space that is both visually stunning and luxuriously comfortable.
Black Edition New Collection
MARK ALEXANDER
CASAMANCE
I had the pleasure of visiting the newly opened Casamance showroom again, although I'd already previewed their collections when Nicola graciously presented them at my home in Devon. It was still a delight to stop by and greet the team in person.
Casamance's autumn-winter 2024 collection is nothing short of breathtaking. It transports us to the flower-laden valleys of the high Himalayan plateaus, offering a visual symphony of bold colours that flow through the designs like pristine mountain streams.
The result is a range of fabrics and wallcoverings that push the boundaries of innovation while remaining deeply connected to the natural world.
Casamance's autumn-winter 2024 collection
Harlequin
First Floor, South Dome
I must admit, I don't usually linger in Sandersons, but the new collaboration between Henry Holland and Harlequin caught my eye. What a delightful surprise! The graphic design on the lift doors was the introduction that drew me in for a closer look! - so much so that I've already shared a blog post about his collection. If you're curious, just click for more info. I've ordered the sample books, so stay tuned for more design details coming your way.
Henry Holland x Harlequin
This collaboration is a beautiful marriage of Harlequin's mastery of colour and Henry Holland's signature style in clay work. The result? A collection of fabrics and wallpapers that's cool, effortlessly curated, and sits right at the sweet spot where ceramics meet interiors. It's fresh, it's exciting, and it's got me buzzing with inspiration!
Julian Chichester
Ground Floor, Centre Dome
Julian Chichester's showroom was buzzing with energy! It was like stepping into a treasure trove of fantastic furniture pieces, each with its own unique character. The space was so packed with people, it was a bit tricky to snap photos, but that just added to the excitement.
One standout piece that caught my eye was a beautifully limed French oak finish - apparently inspired by a 1940s French desk Julian came across. When paired with brass and vellum details, it created an absolutely stunning effect. I couldn't help but imagine how these pieces would transform a space!
While it was a bit challenging to get a good look at everything with so many design enthusiasts around, it's definitely worth a return visit when things are quieter. There's just so much to take in and appreciate in this showroom. Julian Chichester really knows how to combine classic English furniture-making with innovative twists, creating pieces that are both timeless and fresh.
If you're looking for quality craftsmanship and originality in furniture design, this is definitely a showroom to check out. Just be prepared for a bustling atmosphere during events like this!
As I continued my journey through the permanent brand showrooms, I was drawn to the familiar elegance of Chase Erwin. This brand has been a staple in my selection for many years, and it's easy to see why. Their fabrics never fail to impress with their great textures and classic designs.
Chase Erwin's latest collection, "Echoes," once again showcases their mastery in creating fabrics that are both timeless and contemporary. This new cushion collection pays homage to the opulence and sophistication of the Art Deco era, bringing a touch of luxury to any interior. Designed in collaboration with London-based Interior Designer Andrea Benedettini, "Echoes" features luxurious fabrics and trims handmade in England.
Exploring their showroom, I was reminded of why Chase Erwin has remained a favourite of mine for so long. Their commitment to quality and their ability to create fabrics that are both beautiful and versatile make them an invaluable resource for any interior designer. As I ran my hand over their latest offerings, including the "Echoes" collection, I couldn't help but feel inspired by the possibilities these fabrics present for future projects.
From exploring stunning fabric collections to marvelling at innovative furniture designs, every corner held a new source of inspiration. It's amazing how a single day in London can recharge your creative batteries and fill your mind with fresh ideas for upcoming projects.
While the day was short, it was packed with inspiration that will fuel our designs for months to come. Can't wait to share more details about the exciting new collections and collaborations we discovered!