Image: Design Soda

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Clerkenwell Design Week runs each year during May, and for some reason I can’t explain it doesn’t run for a week, not even a working week. Though maybe there’s a clever insinuation there about the ideal three day week, if so,  I’m on board! As an epicentre of design in the city, Clerkenwell has rightly earned its place as an established institution and design hub, so the Design Week (ahem) which holds over 200 exhibitors is an important date on the design calendar. It’s not as large, or as hectic, as other design events in London, but it is a great place to discover fabulous cutting edge products, launch previews and beautiful design alongside public installations amongst a convivial welcoming atmosphere.  It also has the added benefit of being able to wander outdoors (in the newly sprung sunshine) on our city’s streets discovering cool forms like the one you see above and below which is entitled Double Vision by the (brilliantly named) company Hackwood. One could spend hours twisting the geometric wooden tiles to create their ideal design, I was sorely tempted but with only just over an hour to see the 10 things on my list playtime had to be cut woefully short.

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Image: Design Soda

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So, as the first day of the festival comes to a close I’m sharing my must-visit Top 6 (yes, I know I just couldn’t narrow down to five!) design pieces from the area. If you have even a touch of curiosity and a couple of hours to spare do pop along over the next two days, there is so much to be inspired by, some of the styling alone had my heart racing and athough it is all high end wares, there is so much translatable inspiration to take away. Even with only 45 mins you should be able to do these listed (at a running pace).  I arrived too early to catch Craft Central but if you’re there after 4pm do visit, especially to see Rowenna Mason, one of my favourite new designers. I also didn’t have time to catch either the coloured grout from Mapei or Feathrs beautiful new chair designs for Scandinavian Business chairs, but if you have a few extra minutes let me know what they’re like in the comments below.

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Devol Kitchens

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Images: Design Soda

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You will know Devol from Pinterest and glossy magazines, they are the height of English artisan luxury in kitchen design. To see their cabinetry in real life amidst an unparalleled setting for its beauty and styling is such a joy, and if you’re in the area and miss it you will be sorely regretful.

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Muuto showroom

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Images: Design Soda

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Since being given my Muuto lamp by Houseology in the spring, I’ve become a little obsessed with this firm of Swedish designers. The marriage of function and form in all their work is such a joy to behold. And handily they have just opened their first London showroom to coincide with Clerkenwell Design Week, go see it, you won’t want to leave.

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Note Design Studio at Domus

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Images: Design Soda

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Those of you that read my blog regularly will know that I am a huge fan of both tiles and surface design. When a firm designs a weave pattern in concrete that’s 3D, well they have my full attention.  I’m on the floor, somebody give these Swedish designers an award already. Oh they have, well let’s make another, these tiles are impossibly beautiful. 

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Paul Smith for Anglepoise

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Images: Design Soda

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What do you get when two British institutions collide? Something fabulous obviously! To create something that epitomises the ethos and style of both is quite a feat, and one achieved I believe. What I wouldn’t give for one of these giant anglepoise beauties full of pop art colour and promise.

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Custhom

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Images: Design Soda

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I was bound to include Custhom, they are one of my very favourite design firms for modern pattern design and I have been coveting their designs since 2013 when I first blogged about them. They never disappoint me, exhibiting alongside colour-popping And New Furniture, it’s a perfect combination and one worth your attention.

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Bang & Olufsen Sound Scape

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Images: Design Soda

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It takes a lot to persuade me that speakers belong on walls, but these wool covered hexagon speakers which absorb noise and increase acoustics from Bang Olufsen are useful and completely beautiful. Sound Scape launches in the winter. 

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Image: Design Soda

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So, that’s it, my Top 6. I’m sure there are a great many other sites worthy of note but that’s my stand outs at the end of a hectic day. I leave you with an image from the roof terrace atop Devol Kitchens building, it’s quite a view for central London isn’t it? With the trees and the churches you’d hardly know this was central London. Except this is Clerkenwell and everything has that kind of charm in this district. Clerkenwell Design Week runs until Thursday evening, to plan your visit hop over to the festival website. Oh go on then, two more images from my wanderings, as I can’t resist. 

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Image: Design Soda

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Images: Design Soda

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