Adding to the potent mix of brands at Focus/19, there are a raft of guest pop-ups augmenting the home-grown talent. Companies of international standing, many of which can’t be seen anywhere else during the London Design Festival, are exhibiting a breadth of products, from lighting to furniture, fabrics and paint.

Based in the North Dome, Christopher Farr (pictured top) teamed up with NGO Turquoise Mountain to showcase Afghan hand-made rugs and artisan textiles – including live hand-knotting demonstrations – while the Design Space is hosting the instantly recognisable, strong graphic textiles of Timney Fowler.

Many of the pop-ups are based in the Design Avenue, offering the first chance for visitors to see how this exciting expansion project is progressing. They include beautifully made furniture from Amy Somerville (pictured centre), rugs from Jennifer Manners, paint from Paint & Paper Library and Little Greene, and a Kit Kemp-designed stand from Blithfield (pictured bottom). Italian lighting from Baroncelli, French furniture and accessories from Ligne Roset and Belgian linens from LF Trading cement the show’s global standing.

Following Focus/19’s themes of nature and growth, Bar Botanical in the North Dome is a verdant space to spend some down-time. Terrariums full of greenery sit on top of the brass-clad bar, while an overhead installation of ‘Zamiifolia’ fabric, a printed sheer with a palm-leaf print by Villa Nova (from Romo), evokes a leafy canopy. The scheme also includes ‘Cap d’Ail’ wallcovering, a tribute to the work of Jean Cocteau, from Lelièvre Paris, and ‘Newby Green’ paint from Sanderson.

The drinks menu extends the botanical thread: a damson and blackberry Bellini celebrates the early-autumn fruit harvest while a white port and tonic is brightened by basil. A small-plates selection that includes smoked salmon blinis and chorizo pintxos completes the menu.

Ground Floor, North Dome

 

 

 

THURSDAY 19 SEPTEMBER

10am – 11am The Trend Insight at Artisans of Devizes

10am – 12pm Bringing The Outside In: How To Make Your Interiors Feel Green at Arte

11am DESIGN DISCOVERY TOUR

11.30am – 12.30pm CONVERSATIONS IN DESIGN hosted by Livingetc
Design Spotlight: Building An Interiors Brand

12.30pm – 1pm Choosing The Right Upholstery For The Right Space at Gosling

2pm DESIGN DISCOVERY TOUR

2pm – 4pm Xtone Presents: Sophisticated Surfaces, A Live Demonstration at Christopher Peacock

2.30pm DESIGN WORKSHOP
KLC School of Design Presents Rebecca Weir – The Rhythm Of Light at Rubelli/Donghia

3pm – 4pm CONVERSATIONS IN DESIGN hosted by Elle Decoration
Eclecticism & Eccentricity: A Wunderkind’s Aesthetic

3.30pm PERSONAL SHOPPING WORKSHOP
Getting To Know Fabrics at Romo

4pm DESIGN WORKSHOP hosted by Studio
Beauty Of Bespoke at Decca

4pm Peter York in Conversation with Sue Timney at Timney Fowler