design junction 2015

Over two weeks ago, one of the most innovative and creative design shows in the world, Design junction took place in central London. A specially curated design platform that exhibits commercial and cultural design within the unusual and industrial spaces of the old Central Saint Martins college of Art and Design and Victoria House.

With "26,000 visitors through the doors over 5 days during the London Design Festival. With more than 180 cutting-edge brands and shops, a host of striking installations, 10 mouth-watering eateries and flash factories across two Central London locations, design junction 2015 was the most ambitious, challenging and successful edition to date."*

Of course I was there....albeit on a flying visit before heading off to Norway for the WHAT WILL THE WORLD DO NOW charity event...I mean: I had to, not only did I have my own concrete home wares exhibited there (more on that next week) but, with it's reputation for displaying the most innovative of design, I was curious to see what it was all about!

It seems like a lifetime ago now, but better late than never...right? So I am finally sharing the bits and pieces that caught my eye....and maybe some of these will be THE next big thing??

From the wonderfully bizarre sculptural lighting by award winning Arturo-Alvarez, that makes bespoke, handmade lighting ,using handcraft techniques to create a new language with innovative materials....

To the more retro, industrial lighting, so fitting for the old college building by British home ware store  Dyke and Dean...I love that their own brand products encourage British manufacturing and small creative based industry...

Then there was the super modern and super stylish furniture from French label La Chance

La Chance’s ambitious purpose is to provide a contemporary interpretation of the French ornamental and decorative furniture tradition. And I loved how the modern design juxtaposed with the industrial settings....

One of my favourite displays in the old college was the String Shelving....Swedish company String has built its brand around an ingenious but simple modular shelving concept that has long been top of my lust list for the home...

...And of course it helped that the String display was styled by one of my favourite interior stylists of all time, Swedish  Lotta Agaton...

Fun an quirky, and most definitely different from anything else, I also loved the colourful collaboration between UK doodle artist Jon Burgerman and modern textile brand Kirkby Design  for the contemporary design company Ligne Roset....Known for its 

collaborations with the foremost talents in contemporary design, 

Ligne Roset is a creative and innovative brand after my own heart...and wouldn't these cool designs look great in a teenage bedroom??

Over at the Victoria House location of this years Design Junction, where more than 80 independent retailers and designers was exhibiting , there was also a lot of inspiration to be had...

...Of course I have to briefly mention T&Shop, a lifestyle concept shop based in Newington Green, who also happens to be a stockist of my own Concrete home ware range..

I adore founder, Emily Grace Wright's functional and minimalistic aesthetically curated products...but more on that next week....

There was plenty of things to catch my eye, and the geometric handcrafted wooden home ware designs by Another studio, was definitely one of my favourites, displaying just the sort of quirky creativeness that I adore...

I've been a fan of UK based home ware company HAM's cute rabbit and pig illustrations for some time...and was pleased to see their range exhibited at DJ.

It wasn't all home wares and furniture at DJ's market hall in Victoria House...and I fell head over heals with Tom Pigeon's simple and geometric jewelry designs (I also adore his prints)...

And these graphic, mixed media necklaces by Nylon Sky.

My love for the Danish brand HAY is no secret , and I just had to share this super-cool tool caddy  I spotted at Nest, who's entire collection would fit nicely in my dream home ....

Lastly, I wanted to show you these ingenious ceramic planters from London based home ware shop On and On...aren't they just the coolest?? On and On curates products like ceramics, glassware, contemporary furniture, modern lighting and bespoke commissions, among others. But they also strive to find new ways to promote design and  are passionate about introducing new creative talents to brands, the retail industry, interior architects and culture initiatives, providing support for creatives through exhibitions, presentations, sponsored events and publications... A company after my own heart!

There was so much stuff at Design junction that I loved, and would've loved to feature here, but for now, this was my highlights...

I have discovered new brands and shops, makers and designers, found loads of inspiration and got to know some people I just know is going to be the next big thing...

Visiting Design Junction is now a definite MUST for next year!!

*Extract from the website