Decorex 2013

 

 

And of course after 100% Design comes Decorex! It is always a joy to go to Decorex which is one of my two favourites. And funnily enough, right at the entrance there was a bathroom designed for the show by Kit Hemp.... Yes, another bathroom.... it is bathroom year!

I must say that this one looks absolutely fantastic!

 

 

So let's carry on this subject then, bathroom. Of course I jumped into more baths to try them out and evaluate their comfort. Which on of these would you prefer? I really thought this display was absolutely beautiful http://www.williamholland.com/?gclid=CILUzYOM5LkCFezItAodOn8AAA

 

 

So I first tried this one, which looks stunning, you will agree, even though I wouldn't want to be the one cleaning it and making it shine!

 

 

Then I tried this one which is shallower, and I though more comfortable than the other one as your elbow can rest on the side.

 

 

 

The French Volevatch http://www.volevatch.com/ had a magnificent stand featuring beautiful bathroom element, and this was the entrance to the stand, you have to admit that it is impressive!

 

 

And if you are more a shower person, look at this one, how beautiful !

 

 

Now why having boring taps and wash basin when you can have this?

 

 

OK, enough with bathroom!

So let's talk about my long passion for lights and lighting. This year again there was a superb stand from Serip http://serip.com.pt/temp/ DO I need to say how much I would like to leave in a bigger house, just to be able to install some of their lights...

 



 

 

Less spectacular, but still very pretty are these glass light fittings from curiosa curiosa http://curiousaandcuriousa.co.uk/

 

 

 

A very interesting way to use LED strip to light up your house with these atmospherical fittings. They were really nice interesting and efficient.

 

Now if you want to create a special atmosphere, what about trying one of these from http://www.terzani.com/en/products/precious/atlantis How nice would they be in a bar or a club?!

 

 

OK, ok, I can hear you... let's go back to more normal lighting. I have always like these lights from David hunt, with their lovely silk shades. They come in different size and you choose your colour. http://www.davidhunt-lighting.com/

 

 

 

Also to be noticed in David's Hunt stand was this lovely display a mixture of sea side object and lovely lamps...



 

So if you like lighting, there were some for all tastes this year again. Some lovely table lamp from R V Astley http://www.rvastley.co.uk/lighting.htm

 

 

 

 



 

And fittings that were made to attract you attention (there was no way you could miss them) from Spina http://spinadesign.co.uk/lighting.html

 

 

Between glass and lighting was this lovely display from Baroncelli http://www.baroncelli.com/ who also had many other light fittings on display

 

 

And now we can travel from light to glass with the fantastic glass creations of Carrie Anne Funnell http://www.carrieannefunnell.co.uk/ What do you think of these poppies, aren't they beautiful...

 



 

And from glass to ironmogery from Chloe Alberry http://www.chloealberry.com/ with her beautiful stand that makes you want having doors everywhere.

 

 

 

 

Of course there were many stands proposing fabrics this year again, and I just wanted to show Harlequin's display that I attracted my attention, plus the fact that I like their products. http://www.harlequincontract.com/

 

 

Another textile company attracted my attention, not only because they reminded me of a friend who is absolutely completely into their colours, but also because their fabric were absolutely gorgeous. They took inspiration in the archives of Kew garden to print amazing fabrics

 

 

Much more colourful and very pretty are the textile collection from this Scottish company Bluebellgray http://www.bluebellgray.com/ If you like vivid colour, they are for you.

 

 

I love Jacaranda carpets, the whole in wool ones, very deep and soft, so I was happy to see their lovely rugs displayed there. http://www.jacarandacarpets.com/

 

 

 

And yes there was plenty of furniture as well in the show, but it would be difficult and certainly tedious to show everything. SO I am now finishing with this cute piece of furniture by William Yeoward http://www.williamyeoward.com/designer-furniture. If you like chess, this is the perfect table

 

 

 

with hidden storage as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 This was my visit to Decorex 2013, which was a pleasure as usual. I love September with all its shows and marvels.... It always is a great source of inspiration, don't you think so?

 

 

 

Emmanuelle Lemoine 

 

 

 

 

100% Design 2013

September again! Time flies, and here is the month of all the shows back again! Let's start with 100% Design one of my favourite, because you see there things you will not see anywhere else, and this year is no exception.
Let start with.... baths! Yes, I don't know why, but it sounds like I have been involved in many bathrooms recently, so when I go to a show I look at baths and accessories differently.
In term of baths I have seen the bad the ugly and... the beautiful! (Phew!)
So here is my selection of baths, some are very nice and others are a bit.... well, you tell me!
I must say that sometimes, luxury is not in tune with taste.... but you decide....

 



 

All the previous baths are from the Bath Boulevard shown at 100% Design and curated by Designer Kitchen & Bathroom magazine more information can be seen http://www.kb-network.co.uk/index.php/easyblog/entry/bath-boulevard-at-100-design-2013

I must say that my favourite bath, which I tried, was this one, by Victoria and Albert http://www.ptranson.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8&Itemid=10#.UkBYmX5wacw

First of all I like the shape, which is organic, secondly it is incredibly comfortable, and thirdly it uses less water! So this bath ticks all the boxes, really!

Following the baths, let's stay in the facilities. I have just finished designing a Ladies powder room, so my attention was attracted by the men's facilities... (yes, I am ready for the men's room now!!!)
Aren't these urinals absolutely fantastic! (and there are illuminated ones as well..... so you sure you won't miss the target even in the dark!) http://www.philipwattsdesign.com/products/sinks-and-urinals/urinals

Still in the bathroom, these amazing wash basins, made out of lava from Volvic and glazed, an absolute beauty! http://www.pyrolave.fr/pyro/eng/salles-de-bains/salles-de-bains_pyrolave.htm

and so many lovely lively colours to choose from.

Leaving the bathroom area, I though this sort of coat hanger was a marvel as it is sleek, stylish and can find its space in any corridor. http://www.architonic.com/pmsht/horizon-bulo/1142209

Of course lighting is always one of my favourite, so as a apprentice musician myself, I really loved this light fitting from Delightful, yes, the name says it all! http://www.delightfull.eu/en/



More lighting, this lovely creative set of light fitting, which all have a story behind them, from http://www.tobyhouse.co.uk/



For example this fitting first made me thing about time spent at the hair dresser... and then of course I realised it was a beach ball... oh lovely for a child's room.

Or this fitting, which you can order with the colour of your choice for border, really nice!

 

Colours were all over the show, look at these office chairs, specifically designed for women, and I can assure you, very comfortable! I tried them. www.officeline.se

And I really loved these colourful settee in shape of letters, so you can write your message in the waiting room... There was also some interesting lighting there...http://www.tabisso.com/home.html

There was a section of the show called eco... and as usual, I couldn't see anything really eco, apart from a lot of green-washing. Until I discovered this amazingly clever concept of tiles without grouting, so when you are finished with the tiles, they don't have to go to landfill, but could be re-used somewhere else, even by somebody else! http://www.solusceramics.com/downloads/dry%20fit%20system%20pdf002.pdf

 And the good thing, is that the tiles don't have to be boring to work with the system:

 So, really this must be the closest a tile can go to deserve an eco-appellation.

And if we stay with the idea of finding eco-friendly product, here is another I found there, a system for under-flooring heating that is cradle to cradle certified according to the sales person on the stand!
www.ukwarmfloor.com

 

 The company is specialised in salvaged flooring and has completed its green idea by finding an economic and efficient heating system that could be combined with their flooring. I really thought this was really interesting and can't wait to try it out!

 

Every year I love looking at Boca do Lobo (http://www.bocadolobo.com/) original piece of furniture, and this year I had to try this chair, and believe me, I didn't fall!

 

 

Now to finish I wanted to add this lovely mosaic, and I must say that I am not always a mosaic admirer, and this one was absolutely a stopper. http://www.southbankmosaics.com/gallery/

 

This is how my visit to 100% Design finishes this year. It was again a real pleasure to see and discover novelties out there.

 

 

Emmanuelle Lemoine 



The May Design series 2013

You know how much I love lights, so no surprise that I always make a special effort to go to the Arc show, in order to look at all the flickering glitters of lights and light fittings... So this year again I went there, but the Arc show was part of what is called the May series, where you can also see bedroom, bathroom and other stuff. No, I didn't forget the kitchens... but really in term of kitchen I thought it was so poor and boring that I'd rather not even mention them (and you know I love kitchens!).

So... let's go to our lights. This year I had a special purpose to visit this show, as I wanted to check the novelties in term of recessed down lighters, stair lights and so on... that I need to use in a special project. Of course I already have installed fantastic recessed down lighters warm LED... but I like to keep updated.

I am not sure you want to know about all the different sorts of LED fittings, so I will pass on this, but believe me there are so many nice fittings available now!

There was a beautiful demonstration of the importance of the warmth of the light. I am not sure my photo does it any justice, but I tried... as I wanted to show how different is a warm and a cold light so can see for yourself under which light you'd rather want to see yourself or your family.

As you can try to see the light goes from yellow for 2300K to almost blue at 5000K.

 

Let's go back to light fittings, the LED one:

from tp24 http://www2.tp24.com/home/

 

They do all sorts of nice fittings, that could go anywhere in the house.

 

I can see this colourful one (you choose your colours) in a child's bedroom, so playful!

 

 

 

 

 

Then you had the very spectacular light by Sharon Marston http://www.sharonmarston.com/

Believe me, these fittings, even though not for every house, are simply real beauties.

 

 

 As I already said, the show was not only about lighting, there were some nice pieces of furniture as well.

 

First of all this very original seat... I don't know about you, but I personally love books, and I must admit that I can't resist books and they are all over the place in my house. So I love the idea of this very functional sort of throne seat, surrounded by shelving, so you are sure to always have the book you are reading next to you...

Seat from Nobody & Co http://www.nobodyandco.it/en

 

And of course there were all the other beautiful seats including these ones from Killymoon http://www.killymoonliving.com/

 

As we are talking about seats, I want you to notice this antithesis of Ikea : these seats and beautiful furniture are created by the Danish designer Hans J. Wegner. The wood is incredibly soft, and is just beautifully perfect. I sat in this chair:

and believe me, it is the most comfortable chair I ever sat in! Well this type of furniture has a price... which we can't all afford, sadly!

Another settee from the same designer, this valet chair: it is at the same time a beautiful chair on which one can seat

 

and can be used as a valet (just lift the seat up) where your trousers and jacket will seat while you are not wearing them.

There were as well some beautiful rugs,  the sort you want to walk bare feet on, just try to lye on them... unfortunately it is not the sort of thing you are expected to do in this sort of show. The one you can see are from Deirdre Dyson http://www.deirdredyson.com/

 

Of course, this is again my biased view of the May Design series, I hope you have enjoyed my visit!

Emmanuelle Lemoine