MY EDIT: A preview of LDF's designjunction 2012...

Picture courtesy of Another Country

With its move to a vast new Bloomsbury site, designjunction will really become the undisputed jewel in the crown of the London Design Festival in 2012. 

Trends include:

Materials: copper and brass, marble, unfinished wood, pottery, leather, rusted metal, unfinished metal

Colours: black, especially matte black, conker brown, off white, tan, yellow, soft orange

Forms: low-key, plain and simple, furniture with splayed legs, solid and heavy, milking stools

And also: industrial, functional design, matte / gloss juxtaposition, solid / heavy objects and materials

Here are some of the pieces that I'm looking forward to seeing...

Picture courtesy of Tatsuya Akita

Picture courtesy of Soren Rose Studio / De la Espada

Picture courtesy of Simon Hasan

Picture courtesy of Assembly Room

Picture courtesy of Young & Norgate

Picture courtesy of The Andes House

Picture courtesy of Iittala

Picture courtesy of G&T by Bethan Gray

Picture courtesy of Another Country

Picture courtesy of Aditi Studios

Picture courtesy of Crafts Council / Nick Moss

Picture courtesy of Atelier Areti

Picture courtesy of Klaus Haapaniemi

Picture courtesy of Lerival

Picture courtesy of Designers in Residence 

Picture courtesy of Tetra Shed

Picture courtesy of Very Good & Proper

Picture courtesy of Pinch

Picture courtesy of Hive

Picture courtesy of Gelupo / designjunction

MY EDIT: Tom Dixon's Eclectic sister collection...

All pictures courtesy of Tom Dixon

During LDF 2012, Tom Dixon will be promoting the collection that he launched at Maison & Objet in Paris earlier this year. The always-astute Dixon's 'sister' collection of home accessories is bang-on trend (although having met him many times over the years, I suspect he would probably hate to it to be described as such!). It is entitled 'Eclectic' because it includes objects that are incredibly varied in terms of style, material and purpose - or lack of purpose - and there's nothing wrong with that!  The range makes use of materials like solid copper with a hammered hexagonal pattern, solid, hand-carved marble, durable, matte black cast iron and solid oak (spotting the 'solid' motif, conveying quality and trust?). There are also growing industrial influences that hark back to Dixon's early days as a designer. Some of the accompanying blurb is very interesting for trend-nuts so I'll include it here...

"These products are informed by British heritage and powered by London based innovation. [Nice to see that this in itself is considered note-worthy, although I am forced to ask, 'but where is it actually made?']

A miscellany of useful and decorative artefacts formed from honest, resilient and heavyweight materials

Each piece is designed to be used or played with, to be treasured or given."

It is often the way that the people at the top of their profession get the most flack (for example, I'm always frustrated when people moan about what is missing from Jane Austen's novels rather than enjoying what is actually there!). So I'm sorry if this post seems remotely critical of Dixon and his new collection. In truth I am a huge fan of both. Here's my edit: 

All pictures courtesy of Tom Dixon

Spotted this week: a couple of inspiring images...

Picture courtesy of Niki Jones

Picture courtesy of Dalani / Luxcambra

The first image was used to announce Niki Jones' forthcoming Decorex show, the other was for a Dalani sale of Luxcambra lighting. But as far as I'm concerned, both shots could be from the same house. They share the same lean, austere aesthetic and both rooms look like they would be tranquil places to spend time. I'm drawn to an emphasis on horizontals in a room - it gives a space a relaxed quality. I also like the simple, modern take on the refectory table and, as a lifelong champion of the siesta, I've always loved daybeds. Some might find this look too cold and minimal but I think it works well in a family home which, by the time it's filled with little people and their paraphernalia, can feel full enough without much help. Although I admit I'd struggle not to clutter that kitchen worksurface with a certain amount of knick-knackery!

Colours: Neutrals with Pastels. Some inspiring combinations spotted today...

Picture copyright of Kate Jacobs

Picture copyright of Kate Jacobs

I love boot fairs and have just been to one that has always served me well in the past. But not today. I'm not really interested in many things made after about 1985, with my (current) golden eras being the 1930s, 1940s and 1970s. Inevitably, less and less of this stuff is materialising at boot fairs. Today's fair was full of 1990s rubbish. It got me wondering if that's what my young daughters will be delightedly bringing home one day but, for me, it was singularly lacking in inspiration. I did see a couple of colour combinations that got me going. This tin of buttons on a stall full of boxes of colour-coded buttons (itself a treat!). Creamy, amber-y neutrals mixed with intense pastel shades; pea green, sky blue, butter yellow, salmon pink. Then this deflated dinghy! Dark, bluish-grey with another butter yellow and 'Germolene' pink.

In both cases, the neutrals - whether cool or warm in tone - are nice foils for the cheerful creamy pastels.

Ferns: a growing trend...?

Fern plate. Picture courtesy of Ben Pentreath

I'm very into ferns at the moment. It started in the garden where I've been planting hart's tongue ferns. I've also found an old glass terrarium to plant up with maidenhair ferns and mosses for a bit of greenery indoors during the winter. Meanwhile, a few ferns have caught my eye in the interiors realm - see pictures. I hope that they're a growing trend. 

Ferns are not showy, but their fractal-like intricacy rewards close inspection. I love their lush, almost emerald green colouring. They make me think of sunlight filtered through green leaves into cool, shady spots.  I recently spent time on Dartmoor in Devon, and loved seeing delicate little ferns poking out of gaps in ancient walls - for me they evoke the wilder side of the English countryside but in a way that feels distinctly soothing when transferred into the home. 

Picture courtesy of Whippet Grey

Pictures courtesy of Sanderson

Picture courtesy of Sanderson

Picture courtesy of Kevin Tuck

MY EDIT: New collections from Anthropologie...

Among the latest goods available from the always-inspirational Anthropologie, I found the following items that I think would be particularly easy to live with:

Pictures courtesy of Anthropologie

What I see (and like!) here: earthenware, untreated wood, petrified wood, un-shaped semi-precious stones, matt finishes (a soft, dry, powdery, airbrush-type look that I find myself thinking a lot about!), facets (yes, still), wire (ditto) with pieces that are handcrafted, utilitarian, functional, humble and that celebrate the beauty of the natural materials themselves.

* Anthropologie

The perfect accessory for the grown-up nature table...

I’m a bit obsessed with nature and the countryside at the moment, although I’m also discovering that there’s a lot of nature in the city if you keep your eyes open. I’m teaching myself the fabulous names of all the weeds I pass everyday; petty spurge, shepherd's purse, hairy bittercress! Being a collector at heart, a walk in the woods or by the sea is rendered infinitely more pleasurable if I bring back little trophies – especially if I can put them on display at home – even temporarily, So this accessory, with its simple design and materials, from French designers L'atelier d'exercices has captured my imagination. Made of solid ash, it’s a way to form a collection of feathers picked up during walks, with an orange, zinc concealed drawer for other nature finds. It’s available in the UK from Made in Design amongst others. 

Inspirational shots from the Rug Company's Studio Collection...

Picture courtesy of The Rug Company

I've just received the latest Studio Collection brochure from The Rug Company and, as ever, the styling is really inspiring. Here are some of the ongoing trends I see at work here. 

North African

Geometric

A neutral palette: ochres, greys, off-whites, deep glossy browns

Natural, honest, authentic materials: wood, wool, terracotta

Irregularity and imperfection

Simple, time-honoured strategies for climate-proof houses

Simplicity juxtaposed with dashes of ornate craftsmanship

Picture courtesy of The Rug Company

Picture courtesy of The Rug Company

* The Rug Company

A fabric and paper for the new country look...

Picture courtesy of Sanderson

I was very impressed by this brave new fabric and paper design from textile bigwigs Sanderson. Called 'Bellflower', it makes me think at once of the Bloomsbury set's aesthetic and Sixties Scandinavian design's stylised naivety. It sits perfectly with the new country look I'm so into these days, which includes prints that are more foliage than flower. I like the bold, sunny, optimistic colourways and can hardly choose a favourite, which makes a change for me. Now I've just got to build the summerhouse to go around it. 

Picture courtesy of Sanderson

Picture courtesy of Sanderson

Picture courtesy of Sanderson

Picture courtesy of Sanderson

* Sanderson

Deconstructed chairs...

Picture courtesy of Restoration Hardware 

I was very taken by a chair I saw in the current issue of The World of Interiors magazine, from Restoration Hardware's Deconstructed collection. I haven't ever given much thought to upholstered furniture of the old school until now - other than to contemplate re-covering the odd piece in, say, a romping Svenskt Tenn botanical. But this collection looks at once comfortable and austere, grand and unfussy. I like the unbleached burlap (hessian) fabric of the backing, just enough shades away from the antiqued cotton covers for contrast. I like the unpretentious walnut frame. But the best thing about these pieces is, of course, that Restoration Hardware have made the bold decision to leave them unframed, giving them an honest quality and exposing the craftsmanship of the workings as a thing of beauty. 

Picture courtesy of Restoration Hardware 

Picture courtesy of Restoration Hardware 

Picture courtesy of Restoration Hardware 

Picture courtesy of Restoration Hardware 

* Restoration Hardware

 

Lost in Lostine...

I stumbled upon American company, Lostine, while researching another story. I love their plain, austere aesthetic, the look reminds me of the Thirties mail room in one of my favourite films, The Hudsucker Proxy. They only list US stockists on their website although some of their things can be bought through the Anthropologie website. These are a very few of my favourite pieces...

Picture courtesy of Lostine

Picture courtesy of Lostine

Picture courtesy of Lostine

http://Picture courtesy of Lostine

* Lostine