Grand designs
Be inspired by the best of British interior design
GRAND DESIGNS
DISCOVER A WORLD OF INSPIRATION AT BRITAIN’S BIGGEST CONTEMPORARY INTERIORS FAIR
words: dominic lutyens
WHEN 100% DESIGN, Britain’s biggest and most high-profi le contemporary interiors fair, launched in 1995, it coincided with an amazing design boom in the UK. In the past 11 years, the landscape of design in Britain has changed dramatically with Brits now far more attuned to it. And 100% (no need to say the ‘Design’ bit, as the cognoscenti will tell you) has grown exponentially in parallel with people’s increasing interest in design.
“100% has grown by 600 per cent since its fi rst outing. Back then, the show was more craft-based, less slick, less international,” says co-founder Ian Rudge.
Today, visitors from over 70 countries make the annual pilgrimage to Earls Court 2 in west London for the event. Although a trade fair, it is open to the public on the last day. Another attraction is its satellite shows: 100% Detail, an architects’ show, the new 100% Light, an area devoted to lighting, and 100% East, a showcase for young design talent held in east London.
100% now shows in Moscow and Tokyo, too. “Moscow didn’t have a fair like this before,” says Rudge. “It’s been great introducing British design to an entirely new audience.”
It’s worth noting, also, that there are a multitude of other design-based shows on offer all over the capital. London Design Week, for instance, takes place at the same time as 100%, so design fans will fi nd there’s plenty to keep them busy.
So what trends can we expect to see this year, should we fi nd ourselves negotiating 100%’s aisles? We profiled five participating designers to find out…
Who: Sofar/Sonear (designers: Francesca Gasparotti and Luca Ferreccio)
Based in: Milan Their inspirations: “Making high-end, hand-made fabrics, rugs and furniture with a sustainable focus. We believe western economies with the know-how to make Fairtrade products should do so. We’re inspired by natural materials. We also use metals but mix them with ‘warm’ materials such as silk and wool, and prefer soft-contoured shapes.”
Their design philosophy: “As well as our Fairtrade principles, to employ artisans who benefit from working in a dignifi ed, creative environment.”
Designers they admire: “We are inspired by Op artists [who use optical illusions in their work].”
Their predictions for the future of design: “A return to the principles of design groups such as the Bauhaus.”
iFurniture and rugs from Selfridges, +44 (0)20 7318 1359; fabrics from Interiors of Chiswick, +44 (0)20 8994 0073, and Cameron Broom, +44 (0)20 8767 2241
Who: Refer + Staer (designers: Sofi e Refer and Jakob Staer)
Based in: Copenhagen
Their inspirations: “The richness of antique chandeliers. We like combining their glamorous look with modern forms. A good example is our Ice Blue chandelier – a cluster of hand-blown glass balls – which won Wallpaper magazine’s Best Light award at last year’s 100% Design.”
Their design philosophy: “Following our intuition. Being both designers and makers, which makes us responsible for everything we do, but also gives us more freedom.”
Designers they admire: “Ross Lovegrove and Patricia Urquiola and newcomers such as Christian Flindt.”
Their predictions for the future of design: “Design will relate increasingly to everyday life. As consumers, we are more demanding today. We will benefit from more user-friendly design that will work on both a practical and aesthetic level.’” i+45 3331 5400; www.refer-staer.dk
Who: Nicolas Bovesse
Based in: Brussels
His inspirations: “The idea of shuttling back and forth between mass-production and making one-off objects. I regard the creation of an object as a complex alchemy and the fruit of the meeting of several hands. I recently developed some earthenware containers with the ceramicist Claude Aïello, based in Vallauris, France. His virtuosity is such that he can transform a lump of earth into any imagined object.”
His design philosophy: “A good product should combine elements of tradition, humour, beauty and political intent.”
Designers he admires: “The Bouroullec brothers and Jasper Morrison. Avant-garde Dutch designers, including Hella Jongerius, Gijs Bakker and Richard Hutten.”
His predictions for the future of design: “It will acknowledge the efforts of all those involved in creating it.” i+32 (0)2 345 69 88; www.nicolasbovesse.com
Who: Thélermont Hupton (designers: David Hupton and Yve Thélermont)
Based in: London
Their inspirations: “Our designs are rooted in observations of everyday life. Our collection for 100% Design records the tempestuous relationship and lives of a fictional couple called Mr and Mrs Jones. Our Stuck on You collection – coat hooks, saucepans and rolling pins that appear to be embedded in the wall – bear witness to a lucky escape for Mr Jones, thanks to his wife’s lack of accuracy. Our lights made using tights are proof of the once-passionate relationship the couple shared, which has deteriorated into arguments. Finally, our cabinet comes in two parts because Mr and Mrs Jones have so frequently threatened separation that they can each keep a piece of it if they split up. “
Their design philosophy: “Thoughtful design.”
Designers they admire: “[London-based Spanish designers] El Ultimo Grito for their philosophy.” Their predictions for the future of design: “We think folks should continue going with gut feelings, mixing things with past and present fl avours, keeping the old but giving it 21st-century twists.”
i+44 (0)20 8374 0422; www.thelermonthupton.com
Who: Timorous Beasties (designers: Paul Simmons and Alistair McAuley)
Based in: Glasgow
Their inspirations: “Old drawings and etchings, symmetry and Art Nouveau. Our new collection includes an iguana print inspired by botanical drawings designed to work as either a fabric or wallpaper.”
Their design philosophy: “Anything goes.”
Designers they admire: “We like Dutch design, which is very witty and cutting-edge.”
Their predictions for the future of design: “Variety, eclecticism and plurality – mixing everything up.” i+44 (0)141 959 3331; www. timorousbeasties.com
100% DESIGN
Earls Court 2, London SW5, from 21-24 September. For more information, and to buy public day tickets for Sunday 24 September, call +44 (0)870 429 5324 or log on to www.100percentdesign.co.uk
HOT TRENDS
Trompe l’oeil patterns – as in the faux-wood grain pattern on one the quirky rugs by Floor to Heaven
Fifties suburbs: watch out for Erica Wakerly’s wallpapers of rows of suburban detached houses in 1950s Elastoplast pinks and beiges
Surreo-baroque ceramics – such as Kate McBride’s clumsy-looking but superbly OTT cake stands and champagne buckets made of fragments of china
Furniture covered in brightly coloured laminate – as in the zingy dining tables of James Burleigh
Footballers’ wives chic – the latest craze for Swarovski crystal-encrusted fridges or crystal-smothered extractor hoods
