Focus/25 On Design: Your Guide To This Year’s Interiors Event
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C&TH's very own interiors editor Carole Annett is set to give two talks
An unmissable week in any design lover’s calendar, Focus/25 is the place to discover the latest launches from a host of brands and gain insights from the interior design experts. Running from the 15 to 19 September, the event will take place at the London Design Centre in Chelsea. Alongside the 135 showrooms at this year’s event, there are more than 35 pop-up ‘House Guests’ located in the Design Avenue for an extended period from 22 September to 16 October.
Besides the designs on display, Focus/25 also comes with a free programme of events, talks and masterclasses from the likes of leading interior designers Maria Speake and Rachel Chudley, artist and designer Luke Edward-Hall plus architect and designer Jacus Strauss. Want to know what to visit this year? Here’s our guide to the best events.
What’s On: Focus/25 At London Design Centre
Carole Annett
Box Clever – Hosted By Country & Town House
Join our very own interiors editor Carole Annett as she hosts this session on finding clever storage solutions in our homes. Joined by co-founder of Flower Michelin Architects, Chantal Michelin, alongside Barclay Interiors founder Sarah Barclay and InteriorLAB CEO Peter Forfar, the group will be discussing the over-accumulation of belongings in our homes and the growing desire for a clutter-free environment. Providing you with clever storage solutions to optimise your space, get expert advice from interior designers and architects about how professional space-planning can optimise the layouts you have now and help to take it to the next level. Book here for £10.
When: Friday 19 September, 11:30am – 12:30pm
Where: TALK Theatre, Second Floor, Design Centre East
The Joy of Layers: Celebrating Small Prints in Big Ways
Catch Carole Annett elsewhere at Focus/25 as she chats to designer Sean Symington and GP&J Baker’s Ann Grafton about how to layer patterns with confidence. Through the talk, discover the charm of small-scale prints and explore how interiors can embrace special touches in beautiful, personal and unexpected ways.
When: Monday 15 September, 12pm – 12:45pm.
Where: GP & J Baker, Ground Floor, Design Centre East
The Art Of Treasure Hunting
With Secondhand September underway, we’re on the lookout for the perfect pre-loved pieces more so than ever. While we all dream of an array of eclectic antiques, sustainably sourced from our local vintage market, the reality of broken furniture and less-than-aesthetic carboot sale finds often proves to be more challenging. Join deisgner Wendy Morrison in conversation with fashion designer Pearl Lowe as they discuss the joy of styling interiors with secondhand finds and the thrill of treasure hunting, brought to life through engaging stories, inspiration and expert insight.
When: Monday 15 September, 10:30 am – 11:15am
Where: First Floor, Design Centre East
Behind The Scenes At The Country House Cumbria
Featured on Channel 4’s Renovation Nation, Ben Forster and Paul Longman have been sharing the renovation of their Georgian manor house on their popular Instagram account @countryhousediaries. In conversation with design journalist Elspeth Pridham, they will discuss the highs and lows of taking on such a demanding project and share details of their interior style and favourite suppliers.
When: Monday 15 September, 2pm – 3pm
Where: Crucial Trading, Second Floor, South Dome
The Journey of Design
Led by Harper’s Bazaar, this panel includes the likes of artist and designer Luke Edward-Hall, Belmond interior design director Richard McCready-Hughes, Albion Nord director Ben Johnson, and Rubelli CEO Nicolò Favaretto Rubelli. Join these leading names in design as they discuss the interiors transformation of the Britannic Explorer – the newest addition to the Belmond luxury train portfolio.
When: Monday 15 September, 3pm – 4pm
Where: TALK Theatre, Second Floor, Design Centre East
The Cleaner Burning Candle
What are we burning in our homes? What many of us don’t realise is that the wax used in candles is paraffin wax – a petrochemical by-product. And while many are turning to ‘natural’ alternative soy wax candles, these too leave much to be desired. Nyita’s Rebecca Jaquest lifts the lid on candles and explains why she had to invent her own unique formula to create a cleaner and more sustainable alternative.
When: Monday 15 September, 4pm – 4:30pm
Where: Nyita, Ground Floor, Centre Dome
Alabaster Kintsugi Workshop
In celebration of Bella Figura’s new autumn collection, explore the Japanese art of kintsugi for yourself. Meaning ‘to join with gold’, kintsugi embraces the art of imperfection by delicately reforming an alabaster piece using gold-infused lacquer. Guests will get hands-on experience practicing this ancient technique and leave with a unique keepsake. Be warned: there’s only 12 spots available across the two days so get booking if you’re keen to go.
When: Monday 15 September 11am – 12pm and Tuesday 16 September 10:30 – 11:30
Where: Bella Figura, Ground Floor, Centre Dome
Uncover The Unfinished Works: A Brand-New Series of Designs
Earlier this month, Morris & Co. announced that a series of William Morris designs once lost to time have now been restored. Collaborating with The Huntingdon musuem in California, Morris & Co. brought Morris’ unfinished works back to life. Catch up with Morris & Co. designer director Claire Vallis and a guest interviewer as they provide an exclusive insight into the formation of this new collection and behind-the-scenes access to a defining moment in Morris & Co. history. If you’re loving the trend of archival interiors as much as us, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the movement at Focus/25: from a deepdive into the GP&J Baker archive in ‘Threads of Time’ to an insight into GP&J Baker’s new archival collaboration with Pooky Lighting in ‘Throwing Shade’.
When: Tuesday 16 September, 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Where: Morris & Co., Ground Floor, Centre Dome
Design Wonderland
Hosted by House & Garden, this talk will feature the publication’s Designer of the Year, Rachel Chudley. With the heart of an artist and the pragmatism of an interior designer, discover how she embraces experimentation, distinctive colour and plays of patterns to achieve a sophisticated yet lively style. Staying true to her unique approach, get the lowdown on her influences and what is exciting her right now in the world of design and decoration.
When: Tuesday 16 September, 3pm – 4pm
Where: TALK Theatre, Second Floor, Design Centre East
The Reimagined Home: What We Choose To Keep
Hosted by The World of Interiors, this conversation with Retrouvius co-founder Maria Speake will explore how her pioneering work has made her one of today’s most sought-after interiors designers. With a focus on sustainability, Speake is renowned for her creative use of reclaimed materials and her unmatched eye for beauty and craftmanship. The event will be followed by a book signing of her latest work: ‘Retrouvius: Contemporary Salvage: Designing Homes from a Philosophy of Re-Use’.
When: Wednesday 17 September, 11:3oam – 12:30 pm
Where: TALK Theatre, Second Floor, Design Centre East
Studio Collection Tile Painting
Explore the Studio collection, featuring a tile-painting demonstration by resident artist Aaron Hammond. Paint your own tiles, enjoy light refreshments and connect with fellow creatives in a relaxed atmosphere. For those of you looking for hands-on experience to breathe and unwind, other events on throughout Focus/25 include a sushi making class with Toto and soundscape experience, ‘The Sound of Sanctuary’.
When: Wednesday 17 September, 1pm – 4pm
Where: Ca’ Pietra Artisans, Third Floor, Design Centre East
Sourcing Style: The Art of Finding Inspiration
Moderated by The Times and The Sunday Times interiors editor Katrina Burroughs, she will be joined by acclaimed Lore Group creative director Jacu Strauss, interior design Christian Bense and Côte de Folk’s Sophie Rowell to discuss how we can come up with new ideas for interiors. When’s it’s so easy to fall into the habit of of doing the same thing over and over, this panel is all about generating fresh perspectives. As we all start consuming the same online inspiration through our screens, this panel discusses how you can cast a wider net to find authentic design inspirayion beyond your phone.
When: Thursday 18 September, 11:30am – 12:30pm
Where: TALK Theatre, Second Floor, Design Centre East
Fantasy Dinner Party
Pull up a seat at three fantasy dinner parties across the Focus/25 week. Join the likes of Tomèf Design founder Tommaso Franchi, associate designer and architect of 1508 London, Paris Albert, and interior designer and antique dealer Victoria Davar (founder of Maison Artefact) as they curate their dream table setting. Set across three days, the taste-makers will share their top dinner party tips, including their fantasy guest list, playlists to set the mood, table-scaping inspiration and the secret ingredients to hosting a night to remember.
When: Tuesday 16 September at 4:30pm – 5:30pm, Wednesday 17 September 12:30pm – 1pm, Friday 19 September 11am – 11:30am
Where: Source at Personal Shopping, Second Floor, Design Centre East
Find the full programme of events at dcch.co.uk
