London Design Week 2024 Highlights

Design Centre Chelsea Harbour celebrated joyful colour, pattern, and creativity at London Design Week 2024. The Design Centre opened its doors to a bustling crowd eager to explore the latest in design excellence. With over 600 international brands showcasing their newest collections, the event was a melting pot of inspiration, offering a kaleidoscope of new patterns, palettes, and textures that set the tone for new high-end residential and commercial interior design trends.

Spring flowers welcome visitors to Design Centre Chelsea Harbour

There was abundant energy in the Design Centre, with the busy atmosphere seamlessly reflected in the dynamic and intricate aesthetics of the brand showrooms and stands, a wonderful synergy between environment and design expression.

Visitors enjoyed vibrant colour and pattern as well as a trend for dramatic floral displays, including by Madeuax

This bustling vibe resonated with the diverse array of global brands, highlighting their role in supplying international projects and drawing inspiration from a myriad of cultures and design philosophies. The array of exhibitors not only showcased the latest trends but also offered a glimpse into the creative processes that fuel the industry, underlining the global influence and the eclectic inspirations that drive their designs.

Zimmer & Rhodes bring together their palette through inspiring material boards

London Design Week 2024 was a vibrant celebration of collaboration and championing brave and colourful design! Here are our 6 highlights:

1. 25 Years and 25 New Colours: Romo Linara

Celebrating 25 years since its launch, Romo‘s Linara collection commemorates this milestone by introducing 25 exquisite new colours, further solidifying its status as an essential choice in the world of interior fabrics.

From its initial launch with 76 hues to its current impressive array of 385 colours, Linara now welcomes an array of new shades

Widely acclaimed for its exceptional versatility and soft peach-skin finish, Linara offers an unparalleled colour spectrum, outstanding stock availability, and superior service, making it a perennial favourite among designers and homeowners alike. This collection’s enduring appeal is attributed to its continuous adaptation and growth alongside evolving interior trends, ensuring its relevance and desirability in any setting.

This colour palette expansion includes earthy greens, profound blues, vibrant oranges, and serene neutrals

Linara’s practicality extends beyond its aesthetic appeal, as it is ideal for a variety of uses, from upholstery to draperies and accessories. It is washable at 30 degrees and available with a fire-retardant treatment, ensuring both beauty and functionality. With consistent stock levels maintained for every colour, Linara promises immediate availability, allowing designers and clients to realize their vision without delay.

The enriched palette offers even more choices for customization and creativity

Emily Mould, Director of Design & Excellence, said:

“Since we launched Linara it’s been our best-selling plain, it’s incredibly practical and extremely versatile which makes it the perfect quality to offer in an abundance of colours. Colour plays such an important role in an interior scheme, we’re ever aware of how our colour choices can affect our mood and how they can change the ambience of a room, that along with its timeless appeal and versatility is why we continue to evolve the Linara palette. We want to be able to provide a beautiful spectrum of diverse colour so that our customers can find the perfect shade to create truly unique spaces that they enjoy coming home to every day.” 

2. Making a Lasting Impression: Lincrusta and Morris & Co. Collaboration

Jessica Clayworth, Designer at Morris & Co., and Alison Keane, Head of Marketing & Sales at Lincrusta, introduced an eagerly awaited collaboration between Lincrusta and Morris & Co. This union, bringing together two brands whose partnership seemed destined to make a lasting impression on the world of design, perfectly aligns the strengths of each brand to complement and elevate the other’s legacy.

Morris & Co. and Lincrusta ‘Acanthus’ design, presented by Alison Keane

The collaboration unveils a collection that harmonizes Lincrusta’s embossing artistry with the timeless patterns of Morris & Co., founded by the influential designer William Morris. This range features three embossed wallcoverings, embodying Morris’s dedication to natural materials and craftsmanship, produced in Lincrusta’s Lancashire, England, facility. The collection draws historical ties to Morris’s exploration of embossed wallpaper techniques, notably in his 1886 Chrysanthemum Toile design, inspired by fashionable Japanese embossed wallpapers.

New dado panel merging ‘Willow Boughs’ with ‘Diaper’

Included are two iconic Morris & Co. designs, ‘Acanthus’ and ‘Fruit’, alongside a novel Dado panel merging ‘Willow Boughs’ with ‘Diaper’. Lincrusta’s commitment to quality ensures these wallcoverings are suited for both residential and hospitality settings, blending exquisite design with functional durability.

3. Personality and Versatility: GP&J Baker x Kit Kemp Collection Launch

GP & J Baker, in collaboration with the renowned Kit Kemp Design Studio, has unveiled the ‘GP & J Baker x Kit Kemp’ collection, a vibrant celebration of fabric and wallpaper that exquisitely marries intense colour, dynamic patterns, and the potential for creative layering within any space. This partnership represents the first exciting venture between the esteemed British fabric and wallpaper house GP & J Baker and the iconic designer, Kit Kemp, celebrated for her unique and colourful design sensibility.

The ‘GP & J Baker x Kit Kemp’ collection is a true embodiment of Kit Kemp’s style and aesthetic, artfully realized through the skills and care of the GP & J Baker design team

This collaboration brings to life Kit’s signature eclectic and vibrant approach to design, seamlessly integrated with GP & J Baker’s renowned ability to translate artistic vision into practical, versatile designs suited for a myriad of applications, from residential to hospitality environments.

The beauty of this collection lies in its versatility; it can be specified to fit any designer’s own design approach, offering endless possibilities for customization and unique expression in a variety of spaces.

Knight’s Tale: A classic 1920s GP & J Baker design refreshed with six modern colourways, depicting a pastoral scene with deer.

Robina’s Dinner Party: Transforms ceramic plate art into textile and wallpaper patterns featuring friendly creatures.

Tall Trees: Kit Kemp’s iconic large-scale fabric panel and wallpaper mural, available in several colourways.

Potato Print: Graphic tribute to pop artist Joe Tilson, reflected in a unique fabric design.

Backdrop: Playful embroidered trims on plain linen, adding texture and visual interest.

Spin-Off: Features chunky, colourful embroidery on linen, showcasing vibrant craftsmanship.

Ring Road: Dynamic embroidered design with loosely painted coiled lines, offering movement and energy.

GP & J Baker x Kit Kemp Stripes: Artisanal weaves collection, including ‘Bunty’ with textured stripes and embroidery.

Runaway & Wild One: Exuberant woven stripes that add movement and joy to interiors.

Tight Rope: A narrow, versatile woven stripe, ideal for upholstery applications.

GP & J Baker x Kit Kemp Plain Linens: Comprehensive range of linens suitable for curtains, walling, and upholstery, grounding the collection’s decorative elements.

4. Unexpected and Sublime: Sanderson Launch with Giles Deacon

In a remarkable fusion of the unexpected and the sublime, Sanderson unveils a collection with Giles Deacon that is both theatrically grand and eccentrically sophisticated, offering a fresh narrative in classic elegance for fabric and wallpaper design.

Pygmalion wallpaper is the perfect backdrop for Regency Aperigon

London-based couturier and illustrator Giles Deacon, renowned for his eclectic mix of fashion, fine art, and theatrical flair, has collaborated with Sanderson to create a distinctive collection that interweaves commissioned artworks with new takes on classic jacquards and prints. Drawing from both his own studio and the rich archives of Sanderson, this collaboration results in a collection where traditional Sanderson designs are juxtaposed with lavish new creations, showcasing the collective prowess of Giles and Sanderson’s design teams.

Giles Deacon, couture designer and illustrator, has developed a sublimely unique collection of fabrics and wallpapers with Sanderson

Immersed in medieval and Greek mythological influences while celebrating Sanderson’s lasting charm, this assortment captivates the imagination, offering designs that pique curiosity and invite conversation. The collection revels in a blend of nostalgia and innovation, crafting interiors that are both timeless and fresh.

Echoing his couture background, Giles introduces unique stripes that nod to Sanderson’s heritage, alongside industrial touches and his iconic calligraphic ‘G’. This venture transforms the mundane into the extraordinary, presenting an array of prints, embroideries, velvets, and wallcoverings. It’s a creative journey that encourages exploration, enchanting with its fantastical elements and thoughtful approach to design and colour, designed to ignite inspiration and bring a touch of the surreal to everyday spaces.

Regency Aperigon takes the Ancient Greek meaning of the name ‘Apeirogon’ ‘infinite polygon’ and runs with it, in vertical form

The Wallcovering collection includes:

Pygmalion: A Baroque-style mural featuring the story of Pygmalion with rococo dolphins, giant artichokes, and surreal elements, evoking a theatrical Trompe-l’oeil world.

Aurelia’s Grail: This wallpaper blends Tudor beasts and opulent jacquard, with a tapestry-like depiction of unicorns, yales, and other fantastical elements, set amidst English roses.

Lakeland Paradis Velvet: A lush floral chintz from early 20th-century archives, recoloured and printed on velvet, showcasing vibrant blooms like roses, irises, and poppies against dynamic backgrounds.

Tansy Bloom: Reimagined from the Sanderson archive, this botanical design features enhanced details like mushrooms and birds’ nests, offering a modern twist on classic floral patterns.

Fringed Tulip Toile: A distressed batik-style print, this design presents double-headed parrot tulips and roses in an aged, weathered look, employing an extract printing technique for a unique, lightened effect.

5. Preview: Wow!house 2024

During London Design Week, Design Insider had the privilege to witness the launch of WOW!house in a room teeming with the UK’s top interiors media. Set to run from Monday 4 June to Thursday 4 July 2024, WOW!house returns to the international design scene, poised to surpass its previous years’ successes and ignite a new wave of inspiration.

This event a remarkable assembly of international designers and decoration brands, offering a showcase of unparalleled talent in interior design. With 19 rooms designed by a blend of legendary names, international A-listers, and emerging talents, every space within WOW!house promises to be a source of fascination, sparking the imagination and appealing to the senses.

We’ve pulled out 5 room designs which we’re particularly excited to see:

Chase Erwin Library by Andrea Benedettini: Inspired by “Swan Lake,” this space features Chase Erwin fabrics, theatre-like curtain walls, and nature-inspired elements, reflecting Benedettini’s dance background.

Dedar Salon by Fosbury Architecture: Fosbury Architecture collaborates with Dedar to create a minimalist, experimental space blurring the lines between office and domestic settings, highlighted by a monochromatic palette and luminous effects.

Sitting Room by Sophie Ashby for United in Design: Ashby’s sitting room is a casual, creative space promoting inclusivity and diversity, featuring tactile comforts and a commitment to ethnically diverse makers.

Zimmer + Rohde Bedroom by Tolu Adẹ̀kọ́: Tolu Adẹ̀kọ́ designs a serene bedroom with a nod to grand ocean liners, incorporating Zimmer + Rohde fabrics in a space that combines luxury, history, and modernity.

Home Bar by OZA Design: ‘Le Temps d’Un Verre’ is a cultural blend of East and West, offering a journey through time and space with its thoughtful use of materials and colours.

6. World Inspiration: Osborne & Little Trend Showcase

Osborne & Little’s Byzance fabrics and wallcoverings exemplified a global trend with a strong Indian influence. The collection, featuring both printed and embroidered fabrics, intertwines with Byzance Wallpapers to create a cohesive narrative. Each design, whether drawing from India’s intricate artistry or nature’s whimsy, weaves a tale of beauty and uniqueness. Together, the fabrics and wallpapers offer a versatile palette that captures global trends and Indian elegance, providing diverse options for those aiming to infuse their interiors with a worldly charm.

Byzance fabric collection

The designs Lodhi Velvet, Mayani, Foresta, and Shalimar evoke the lush beauty of Indian gardens and landscapes, each capturing a unique aspect of nature’s elegance. Lodhi Velvet illustrates an orangery amid ornate trees by a river, reflecting the seasonal transition in Lodhi Gardens, Delhi. Mayani showcases decorative birds on leafy branches, reminiscent of India’s vibrant bird sanctuaries. Foresta’s stylized Indian trees and Shalimar’s intertwining coconut palms both celebrate the rich foliage found in South Asia, with Shalimar drawing inspiration from the historic Mughal gardens.

Byzance wallcovering collection

In contrast, Samode, Taniska, Samrina, Chellah, and Lambani delve into the intricate patterns and vibrant embroidery reflective of India’s rich textile heritage. Samode’s paisley florals and Taniska’s contemporary tree-of-life design with paisley flowers highlight traditional motifs, while Samrina’s Susani-inspired stripes and Chellah’s Mughal-style floral trail pay homage to historical designs. Lambani’s lavish embroidery, named after the meticulous Lambani craft, showcases exotic plants on colourful stripes, embodying the opulence and intricacy of Indian embroidery art.

Byzance trimmings collection

Complementing the rich narrative of fabrics and wallpapers, Byzance Trimmings introduces an additional layer of decorative artistry, perfectly aligning with the collection’s global and Indian-inspired themes. This assortment of five decorative braids and a captivating border adorned with oversized pom-poms is meticulously designed to enhance both the vibrant patterns and the elegant plains within the collection.