15 Product Highlights from the London Design Festival
All eyes were on London last week, where a heady rush of new furnishing products made their debut. In its 17th year promoting the United Kingdom’s capital as the design center of the world, the London Design Festival ran September 14-22 and spanned 11 city districts. Dozens of installations were just a starter—the city also hosted four tradeshows: 100% Design, the London Design Fair, Designjunction, and Focus/19. From the unexpected shapes and texture of papier-mâché lamps to a homey launch fitting all markets by David Rockwell and a leather hide digitally-printed with the far side of the moon, here are 15 of our favorite finds.
1. Sensi Paper-Mâché Lamps by Maria Fiter for Crea-Re Studio
Old newspapers and sustainably certified water-based glue are the two ingredients in Sensi, a collection of papier-mâché lamps by Maria Fiter for Crea-Re Studio. The unexpected materials bear organic shapes of unexpected texture—and make the lamps compostable.
2. Sage Credenza by David Rockwell for Benchmark
Demonstrating beautiful products don’t need to be market key-holed, David Rockwell launched Sage for Benchmark. While the collection is geared towards office and hospitality, items are just as at home in a residential setting. A sculptural room divider in oak or walnut, the Sage Credenza with Shelves has a media option, complete with ventilation and cable management.
3. Sage High Sofa by David Rockwell for Benchmark
Offered in two- and three-seater variations, the Sage High sofa by David Rockwell for Benchmark has a high back in oak or walnut. Its sustainable wool upholstery and natural fillings are fire retardant, eliminating the need for toxic chemicals.
4. Weave Chair by Arjun Singh Assa
Presented in “Design Fresh,” the annual exhibit toasting young designers at 100% Design, The Weave chair by Arjun Singh Assa is a study on minimizing materials. Using traditional weaving techniques, the designer wove just enough of the cord around a beech frame to create a functional seat.
5. Vidhi Blush Wool Area Rug by Mylene Spencer for Chaccra
The hand-knotted Tibetan wool Vidhi Blush area rug by Mylene Spencer for Chaccra is an energetic example of Nepalese craftsmanship. The rug is part of a collection fusing artisanal techniques with abstract design, launched at the London Design Fair.
6. Far Side of the Moon by Matthew Day Jackson for Bill Amberg Studio
At King’s Cross, leather specialist Bill Amberg Studio launched six new collaborations for its digitally printed leather hides. Far Side of the Moon by Matthew Day Jackson combines tie-dye and an actual photograph of the moon.
7. All the Colours by Solange Azagury-Partridge for Bill Amberg Studio
A single beam of light fractures into vibrant color in All the Colours, a digitally-printed leather hide by Solange Azagury-Partridge for Bill Amberg Studio.
8. Carlo Table by DePadova
In its recently opened Chelsea showroom, DePadova unveiled a collection of re-issued design classics. The Carlo table by Tono Morganti, first designed in 1989, now has updated proportions by Renato J. Morganti. Elegant x-shaped legs support a round wood frame for a rotating marble top.
9. Non-Objective Table by Atelier Aveus
Atelier Aveus founder Morgane Roux-Lafargue was studying the suprematist paintings of the early 20th century when he designed the abstract legs of the glass-topped Non-Objective table, a highlight in “Raw,” an exhibition presented by design gallery Mint in the Brompton Design District.
10. Flex Chair by Verpan
Verner Panton first sketched the elegant curves of the polypropylene stacking Flex chair in 1960. Launched at Designjunction, the chair is one of three previously unreleased Panton products now produced by Verpan —run by Panton’s widow and daughter.
11. Christo Bed by Pinch
A peaked and curved headboard adds contemporary flavor to the solid wood Christo four-poster bed by Pinch, one of seven pieces in a new collection by the British design studio. It’s available in white oiled European oak and oiled black American walnut.
12. Avery Stackable Stool or Sidetable by Pinch
An exercise in simplicity, stackable Avery by Pinch serves as stool or side table. It’s available in solid European oak with a white oil finish or solid black American walnut.
13. Li’l Bug Sofa and Chair by Emir Polat Studio
Lucas The Spider, a cheeky animated YouTube star, was the inspiration behind the Li’l Bug collection, which features a sofa and chair. The color-forward pieces were launched at 100% Design by Turkey-based Emir Polat Studio.
14. Putty Lacquered Custom Planters by Diego Faivre
In “Custom Exercise” at the Ace Hotel London Shoreditch, recent Design Academy Eindhoven graduate Diego Faivre, presented customized objects created via speedy production practices. These colorful planters gracing the front of the hotel are clad in lacquered putty-like clay.
15. Punto Armchair by Wangan
A fresh take on the club chair, outdoor armchair Punto is fabricated from bent metal pipes. Also available as a sofa, Punto is part of the first furniture collection by Istanbul-based design studio Wangan.
Read more: 15 Installation Highlights at London Design Festival 2019
