#ardecora

As predicted, April has been extra busy.  I have been working on some lovely new projects, one in particular has proved particularly demanding.  The main reception room is a whopping 12X6m, and has to seat 26 people. You would think that designing for large spaces would be easier than for smaller ones, however, the biggest challenge is to create several intimate conversation areas that together form a coherent whole, without making the room look like a hotel lobby or worse still, a furniture showroom,   (…first world problems!).

  I have discovered so many gorgeous pieces for this project, it has proved difficult to narrow down options for my clients.  I will just have to present two schemes so I can include all these gems.

  Scheme One,  top row; Flounced Arpege Sofa – Uber Interiors, Zero Console – Decorus, Crystal Chandelier – Emily Todhunter.   Scheme Two, bottom row;  Convex Wall Light – Porta

  Romana, LF Table – Pouenat from Gotham Nottinghill, and Hampton Ottoman – Ben Whistler.

    Fellow interior designers Carden Cuniettti in association with The Kids Company charity have devised The Spring Clean, where designers, manufacturers,  and suppliers of all things interior donate unused goods taking up space in stock rooms around the country.  It’s a fantastic opportunity to buy designer pieces at a great prices, with all proceeds going to support children in need.  Check out www.thespringclean.co.uk, and head to Londonewcastle Project Space, London E2, May 30th to June 1st.

  Motivated by The Spring Clean,  I figured it was about time to sort out our fabric library.  My colleague pulled the short straw and had the mind numbing task of wading through hundreds of books and mountains of cuttings to get rid of old product whilst I had the rather more exciting job  of meeting fabric reps to select lots of lovely new books featuring the best of the Spring/Summer collections.  Top row; Pierre Frey, Andrew Martin and Ardecora (Zimmer & Rohde). Bottom row; Lizzo, Metaphores (Abbott & Boyd) and Jim Thompson (Fox Linton).

    I am often asked to source artwork for my clients, so I headed off to The Other Art Fair on Marylebone Road towards the end of the month. The event was a comprehensive work-out for the eyes, showcasing a host of incredibly gifted artists creating works in such a diverse array of styles and media (even taxidermy!), and at affordable prices. Perfect for the aspiring collector to invest in new talent. Top row, Qing Qi, Emily Beza, Damiola Odusote, Bottom Row, Caroline Hall, Davitti and Thomas Dowdeswell.

    My interior of the month is this ridiculously chic New York apartment by Thad Hayes.  It’s not new,  but this place has a timeless elegance about it that will not date any time soon.  Clean minimal lines are softened with curves and warm gold and timber finishes, I would love to live here.

    I have been researching glamorous interiors this month and these rooms are positively steeped in luxury.  Gold, mirrors, lofty ceilings, curvaceous furniture.  I particularly like the combination of traditional mouldings and architectural elements with contemporary furniture and a modern palette.

  Designers are:- top left; Klavs Rosenfalk,  top right; Blair Harris, bottom left; Louis Henri and bottom right; Champeau & Wilde

    You will have to be a dedicated design junkie to get through this months list of events.   I shall be going to Handmade, Chelsea Flower Show, May Design Series, and of course The Spring Clean, and will bring you news in next month’s diary.   Meantime, try to get to at least one of these:-

  03-03 May – Grand Designs Live at London ExCel

  09-11 May – Handmade in Britain in Chelsea Old Town Hall

  11th May – Midcentury Modern in Goldfinger’s Haggerson School

  18-20 May – May Design Series at London ExCel

  20-22 May – Clerkenwell Design Week in Various venues

  20-24 May - Chelsea Flower Show at Royal Hospital, Chelsea

  30/05-01/06 – The Spring Clean – Londonnewcastle Project Space

    Sue - FiSHER iD