Kirsty Whyte - Design Studio: London Design Festival

What Kirsty Saw:

You’ve passed the half way point, this is 3 of 4 for LDF, stay with me there is still interesting stuff to come.

FRIDAY PM:

Still in East London on my way to SCP, I visited Lee Broom’s independent show on Rivington Street, where he exhibited past works which included his Heritage Boy range - a personal favourite (more information can be found on the Conran Contracts website) and his new and fourth Collection One Light Only (in image above), which I’m sure you’ve already seen in many magazines and design blogs. Shame my friend and I weren’t important enough to say Hello to though.

Then into SCP in the Shoreditch Design Triangle, on the ground floor the launch of new homeware brand: All Lovely Stuff, with their very own "hardware shop". Founded by Carl Clerkin and Ed Ward (I used to work with Ed so am a little biased). Their design ethos is : We like good practical design for everyday use. We care about the details, and aim to put a smile on your face…They certainly did with their charming Animal Hooks.

Up on the first floor there was work from Terence Woodgate, Matthew Hilton, Alex Hellum, Sylvain Willenz, Farrow Design and Rich Brilliant Willing. Plus the collaboration between The Sundara Rug Collection and textile designer Donna Wilson. I also made a purchase of one of Donna’s Lavender bags- cute and affordable.

Behind the unassuming door was a little oasis the Jasper Morrison Shop and Workshop.

As you would expect; no more and no less then you need to see all the products. Very pleasing.

Then over to the Goldsmiths Postgraduate Design 2010 Show, in the basement of the Shoreditch Town Hall. The exhibits were varied from MA Design and Environment to MENG Design and Innovation.

It was a really interesting space, somewhere Designersblock would be at home in.

The BarberOsgerby workshop was a brief visit ; no photos allowed I’m afraid. Lots of cardboard, blue foam, some strategically plated tote bags for sale and a pillar drill; you can use your imagination for the rest!

Final stop of the day The Tramshed, my personal highlight for LDF, with a great one off venue, with international brands and designers (Benchmark, Studioilse, Scin, James Design UK, Autoban, Another Country, Bocci, Decode, Michael Sodeau, Scott Rich & Victoria, Dezeen Watch Store, Innermost, RVW, Matthew Hilton and Kvadrat), which included plenty of home grown talent too.

This is the entrance on the launch night, it won’t all fit in one shot!

Benchmark had it’s own fully functioning workshop on site , where they were manufacturing products including the Jens Risom C275 Side Chair. They also had a prize drawer for visitors to enter and win one of the products produced in the workshop everyday; unfortunately the call never came and someone else was a luck winner!

In the basement along side exhibitors was Tramshed Live, which had a selection of thought-provoking design debates. With a line-up of leading designers and creative thinkers including Patricia Urquiola, Luke Pearson of PearsonLloyd, Matthew Hilton. Ercol provided the seating.

Next to the Seminar area were Scott, Rich + Victoria, who were originally featured back in my LDF 2009 blog, where they launched their Moscow Road Collection.

Now a year later quite a bit has changed for the Kiwi designers: With Scott Fitzsimons living back in Auckland, New Zealand and Richard Hartle in London .

They now have some exciting additions to their range in their new collection ‘A Year Apart’ (sob).

The collection includes the UNIT24 Lamps, TABBED Dining Collection, HOSPICE Shelves, NO.3 Stools, VICTORIA Chair
and the FILAMENT lamps, (which you can see above) and Living etc loves!

Rich wasn’t totally alone, as he was accompanied by some knitted friends; Yeti hand made by Gil Cocker, this was my favourite. More of his knitted friends can be seen on the Sansgil Flikr page.

Next-door were James Design UK; who’s new products also featured in instalment 1. Here you can see both James Kinmond and James Harrison, busily networking.

Bolon supplied the snazzy flooring throughout the show.

Other feature areas in the show that caught my eye were Innermost, an instillation using their Lighthouse shade, plus they had some natty badges!

Also below is a view of the rather bizarre Kvadrat & BMW instillation, which is a collaboration bewtween Patricia Urquiola and Giulio Ridolfo called The Dweling Lab. (I had to google it when I got home).