Clerkenwell design week is here! With growing popularity and scale, this year is not to be missed. I’ve had to fit it ALL into one day, attending a press AND blog tour, very tiring, but this edited run down of my visit will give you an idea of what’s out there. My mission, whenever I visit Clerkenwell design week is to purely be inspired. I don’t really do ‘business’ here, I search for my new fav brands, get inspired by the installations and get a feel for emerging talent and trends. (image above taken outside of Republic of Fritz Hansen™)
Museum of Making
Oh how exciting! White Arkitekter are the very people who designed the Kastrup Sea Bath in Copenhagen, one of my fav spots. Here at CDW they have designed a Museum of Making which is a deconstructed barn and functions as a social space to the art of making. It will host workshops by The Goldsmiths’ Centre, Craft Central and Thomas Matthews.
Designed by White Arkitekter, sponsored by EQUITONE
SENSORIUM – A creative collaboration between Hassell and Håg
This mini indoor oasis is a sensory installation by international design practice HASSEL and Scandinavian seating designer Håg. The ‘pleasure garden’ explores how we experience the world around us, leading visitors to question how the senses influence their experience. Worth a visit for something really different and magical, plus they have a virtual reality helmet!
+HALLE
The cutest contract furniture ever! I’m pretty much in love with these stools from +HALLE.
Venue address: Spa Fields, Northampton Road EC1R 0DF
The Icon House of Culture
Now situated in Fabric…the nightclub…… yep you heard me! I wasn’t too sure how this would match up to the architectural wonder of the Farmiloe building but it was fine, however the lighting was terrible for me to take pics, so my apologies …
Norr11
When I was in Iceland in January, at the Blue Lagoon private hotel, I sat on these beautiful chairs and embarrassingly didn’t know who made them (shock horror). FINALLY I know! NORR11 ‘s chairs are not only sleek and visually appealing BUT they’re so comfy! I was certainly relaxed on them when I was at the Lagoon.
&TRADITION
One of my fav Danish brands, these cute Flower pot pendant lights by Verner Panton make me smile, the table top version in white is STUNNING. Ignoring that I wasn’t excited about the venue, &Tradition made their area of Fabric nightclub feel like a really cool warehouse, I instantly forgot where I was, the products looked really cool there.
Tom Dixon – THE CHURCH
A big thanks to Emma from We Blog Design who set up a blog tour featuring a talk by Tom Dixon. Tom talked through his latest installation of work in St James’ Church. In a way it felt like Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet with super modern lighting in such an old, religious setting, but it was more than that, carefully designed of course. A pretty cool way to bring new life to the church.
There was a side room/office where I captured Tom’s shoes on the Smoke carpet (his collaboration with Danish carpet manufacturer EGE). He said that he likes to think of the carpet representing hell. Nice to see a bit of dark humour in the design world, ha!
Clerkenwell is a treat and although I didn’t get chance to see it all, there was plenty to be inspired by. Maybe you’ll find something else that I’d like? but for now I best get ready for another very special design festival!
H x
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8 Comments
It’s really lovely to be able to see this. I’m so busy at work that I’ve not been able to go. Thanks for a round up.x
Such a great round up Hannah! Was so sad not to make the tour but happy you guys all had such a great time and saw so many lovely things – I have to cram it all tomorrow so your guide is invaluable 🙂
Wow that was quick! SO gutted to miss this! LOVE the mini indoor Oasis!
A x
Great to be able to have a virtual tour of the highlights! I love the look of those +HALLE stools.
Beautiful pics!
I popped in today and feel like I saw a completely different range to you, which just shows how much more there is to see than you initially think! Gutted I only had a few hours x
I’m so happy to have met you Hannah your enthusiasm and style is inspiring. Can’t wait to see your CPH post! Xx
Such beautiful designs!
Love those +Halle stools 😉
Thank Hannah – see you soon