In just a few days, the London Design Fair 2019 will open its doors to thousands of design-conscious visitors curious to discover the very latest in furniture, lighting, textiles, materials and conceptual installations, from all around the world. Here we share five things we’re looking forward to seeing at the show.
London Design Fair launched back in 2007 and since that time it has become the go-to trade show of the annual London Design Festival. Located at the Old Truman Brewery in Shoreditch, it hosts the single largest collection of international exhibitions, designers, brands, country pavilions, features and galleries throughout the festival. Over 29,000 influential retail buyers, producers, architects, designers, interior designers, press and design-savvy consumers descend on the show each year to visit over 550 exhibitors from 40 countries.
Here we round up five things that we are looking forward to seeing at London Design Fair this year.
1) Metal & Wood
Metal & Wood Studio was established in 2011 by Rached Sultan and is based in Beirut, Lebanon. Aiming to create functional, durable pieces that can be used and loved for a lifetime, Metal & Wood has handcrafted a collection of timeless designs that are reduced to their bare essentials.
An intuitive use of raw materials combined with artisanal assembly techniques and a strong focus on durability, function and quality really sets Metal & Wood apart. The thin metal frames and legs, mesh metal panels, and the use of castors makes this collection the perfect choice for use in industrial interiors.
2) By THORNAM
BY THORNAM is a Danish design lab founded by head designer Mads Thornam. Denmark’s proud design heritage has informed the design philosophy of By THORNAM which is to create future classics that enable you to relax, enjoy life and treasure time with friends and family.
Working with the finest materials that age well and become more beautiful over time, the sense of craftsmanship and the attention to detail does not go unrecognised. The M is what really stood out to us. Designed to be a flexible and adaptable piece, the M can be used as a daybed, a mattress, a headboard, a lounge chair or a couch. It can be transformed according to your mood, lifestyle and need. This is definitely one to watch.
“Over 29,000 influential retail buyers, producers, architects, designers, interior designers, press and design-savvy consumers descend on the show each year to visit over 550 exhibitors from 40 countries.”
3) NORR11
The 11th November 2011 was when it all started for Danish furniture brand NORR11. The young design and lifestyle brand is a German-Danish start up whose motto is: sophisticated design at an affordable price. The furniture and accessories are characterized by modern Scandinavian design combined with authentic Asian craftsmanship.
Knut Bendik Humlevik (Norwegian) and Rune Krøjgaard (Danish) are responsible for all products at NORR11 and jointly head the design team in Copenhagen. They work closely with their manufacturers in China and Indonesia. They accompany every single product from its first draft at the Copenhagen design studio to its final production in Asia. The result is a harmonious, timeless and modern collection that reflects a combination of Scandinavian tradition and Asian roots.
4) Komonka
This year’s London Design Fair will see eleven Hungarian designers participate in the ‘Budapest Select’ exhibition organised by the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency. Designer Moni Kovacs of Komonka particularly caught our eye with her beautiful hand-woven metallic textiles. Seeking to imitate nature, Kovacs combines metallic and cotton threads to create unique textiles that adapt to their surroundings and create special light effects, reminiscent of sunshine and water’s clarity.
The collection comes in three finishes: metal textile; concrete textile; and corrosion textile. Each one has a distinctly industrial feel which serves only to enhance its beauty.
5) Fict Studio
FICT which stands for ‘From Craft to industry’ is an independent design studio founded by Jang Hea Kyoung based in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Using craft elements she is able to make modern objects and furniture through experimental design processes.
The Fragment series is an attempt to reclaim the value from fragments of marble that would otherwise be discarded during the marble making processing and end up as industrial waste. By capturing the discarded marble fragments and combining them with crystal resin, Jang Hea Kyoung has been able to create new products that not only look good but that do their bit for the environment.
