Summer in the city of design

Interiors expert Brian Woulfe sets the scene for a summer of beautiful design

Gain insight from some of the biggest names in the business at this season’s shows

It goes without saying that London is a global design hub all year round. It attracts trade and consumer visitors from the US, Asia, and other European design hotspots, such as Milan, Paris, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Cologne and Barcelona.

May undoubtedly marks the run of UK-based design shows scattered throughout the summer, but which brands and events should we watch out for in the design world this year?

Grand Designs Live

Grand Designs Live runs until 13 May at ExCeL London and continues in Birmingham in October. It is one of the best shows to gain insight from designers and product manufacturers, harvest plenty of home inspiration and see many exciting product launches. I was honoured to speak at a Houzz panel discussion with design greats, Martin Waller (founder of Andrew Martin), and designer Dee Campling on the future of interior design on the Grand Theatre Stage. It is at these talks and events that the most exceptional ideas come about, when so many design-savvy people get together to enjoy the fruits of their industry.

Whether you’re building from the ground-up, renovating or making some simple home improvements, Grand Designs Live should be an absolute go-to. If you can’t make it to ExCeL this year, be sure to visit the Birmingham show from 10 October.

Clerkenwell Design week

Clerkenwell Design Week is just around the corner, metaphorically and literally. In possibly the most stylish corner of London, some of the coolest brands will be exhibiting new collections in wildly innovative ways. One to watch at CDW is a new collection of carpets from Timorous Beasties and Brintons, to be presented as a large-scale pop-up installation in St John’s Square with Studio Shaw Architects. The Craigend Collection is the product of the long-standing collaboration between the Scottish design duo and Brintons, and is inspired by the textures of the ground in nature, such as lichen and moss. The installation is set to be interactive and, according to the brands involved, will transport visitors to a visceral world of pattern.

Also exhibiting is Arte, one of my go-to brands for wallcoverings. This spring, Arte launched two new key collections, Curiosa and Focus. They are distinct but equally beautiful ranges. Curiosa is the epitome of the travel-inspired Victoriana that the brand has come to represent, while Focus is a futuristic, geometric collection, with motifs to give even Bridget Riley a run for her money. Arte is definitely a brand to keep on your radar if you want to give your home an instant lift.

London Design Festival

As part of this year’s London Design Festival, the Swedish Design Pavilion will be running at the Old Truman Brewery from 20 to 23 September. It is an annual showcase for Swedish design, celebrating the country’s time-honoured design credentials. At the fair, Lisa Hilland will be launching her Torso chair. I am particularly excited to see this creation in person because it combines fashion and interiors in an original way, using layering, form, and materials in new yet somehow classical ways. Hilland’s Torso combines form-pressed wood and metal with texturally contrasting leather to make a statement about the beauty, the art and the importance of good craftsmanship.

And all this awaits us. In an excited flurry, London will fill with designers and design lovers eager to get first look at the influential shows of the summer that will set the tone for AW18 and beyond. So fill your calendars with varied and interesting talks, events and exhibitions that catch your eye, and revel in the design industry in its annual summer prime. See you there.