18/01/2014
Friday 17 January
This week has had something of a religious theme, starting in an old friary and ending just a few streets away in what is rumoured to be an old convent.
We spent Monday at Home – no, not a duvet day, but at Earls Court where the shows Home, Top Drawer and Craft were in full swing. One of our favourite finds there was Lyngard ceramics, a Stoke-on-Trent pottery making beautiful lustreware. Carmen told me about the six generations of potters in her family, including her father who has worked hard to preserve this unique and beautiful technique: www.lyngardceramics.com
On Tuesday, we spent a delightful lunch with Peter Sheppard and his new creation, the Brasserie kitchen for Smallbone which looked handsome on the second floor of what was once a friary and is now Sheppard’s home. Sheppard is the designer behind two of Smallbone’s best selling kitchens, the Macassar (launched in 2001) and the Walnut & Silver (2005). Inspired by scaffolding planks the new kitchen uses beautifully figured oak complete with knots and lively grain patterns that give the design real character. A striking dresser across one entire wall of the kitchen was conceived as both a decorative and functional feature. The kitchen will be on display in Smallbone’s Knightsbridge showroom from March. www.smallbone.co.uk
Tuesday was definitely a day in the kitchen as John Lewis of Hungerford also revealed its new-look Fulham showroom. Managing director Jon Rosby told us about how he had guided the company through the recession, growing sales – including launching two new contemporary kitchens – and extending and revitalising its showroom network. www.john-lewis.co.uk
The Schemer, our newsletter [http://bit.ly/1dgqaF9], went out on Thursday as usual so Wednesday was a day in the office finalising the latest issue, including the news that InteriorsUK will move to London for 2015. Its last Birmingham show is this week. www.interiorsuk.com
Breakfast on Thursday was with Christopher Jenner at Drummonds new showroom in Notting Hill. Jenner’s appointment – for not one but two showrooms, and some bathroom products – is a bit of a coup for Drummonds we would say as Jenner’s star is rapidly on the rise. Recently appointed to head up design at Eurostar, he is a busy man but still had time for a fun tour to show us how he worked his magic in this charming space in London W11. Needless to say, we are very much looking forward to the next showroom, not to mention the products. www.drummonds-uk.com / www.christopher-jenner.com
Thursday night brought a rare opportunity to see inside the home of one of the UK’s leading interior designers. Rose Uniacke has recently been named as the Andrew Martin interior designer of the year and held a party to celebrate. Some very seasoned designers were wide-eyed in admiration at the astonishing home she has created. The UK has some of the world’s most talented designers and it was a privilege to be in the company of several of them in such beautiful surroundings. www.roseuniacke.com www.andrewmartin.co.uk/design-awards/winners.php
Next week:
Our highlight is undoubtedly a trip to Paris for Maison et Objet and Deco Off. Before we catch the 7am Friday train the rest of the week is, by contrast, fairly technological. We’ll be spending some time getting to know Samsung’s new products for the home, plus visiting the new Bang & Olufsen showroom on London’s Kings Road, also a new location for Kensington Home Technology.
Have a great week!
